Reading Responce on "Looking for Alaska"

 

            For a lot of people drinking just for fun, But for some, it is to numb a pain that was rotting inside of them. “Looking for Alaska” by John Green, is about a young man named Miles. He meets a young woman named Alaska, she changes his life. The book gives you so many emotions; joy, disappointment, frustration, etc.          Alaska influences Pudge (Mile’s nickname) so much. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. One of the things that had a big impact on not only Pudge, but also likely the readers, was the alcohol. The book gave the impression that underage drinking is normal; just to forget some sort of pain, guilt, stress, or worry.

            During the thanksgiving break, there was a chapter where Alaska and Pudge dug up wine. She told him to dig. And then Pudge responded by, “I got on my knees, and dug through the soft black dirt at the edge of the woods. And before I could get very far, my fingers scratched glass. And I dug around the glass until I pulled out a bottle of pink wine.” Afterwards, Alaska took big gulps of the liquid, and then handed it to Pugde who followed the example. I think that Alaska drank, or wanted to get drunk because she was upset. She had no family to be with for Thanksgiving. She accidently let her mother die when she eight, and then her father abused her, so she left home. This could explain why she would want to forget her past for a while, and so… drink. Despite this is just a book, this might influence some young readers, that when there upset they should just drink.

            Later again, during one of the Thanksgiving break chapters, Alaska needed to get more “booze”. So she goes to a store called “COOSA LIQUORS”, and uses her fake ID to get 6 bottles of wine and vodka, (and 5 packs of cigarettes.) She said, “My ID blows. But I’ll flirt my way through.” By this she meant, that her fake ID was really bad, but that she would flirt to get the alcohol. Obviously Pudge wouldn’t be able to this, but young girls could try this and then, (most likely) get in huge trouble. Maybe even with the police. So, the fact that Alaska didn’t get into any sort of trouble, could be a bad example for the young readers.

 

            The last time Alaska drank, was right before she died. Her excuse was that she wanted to celebrate a prank that she was able to pull off. She even drank out of Dixie cups, for ‘special occasion’. The exact words were, “We aren’t drinking’ out the bottle tonight, we are classing’ it up!” One drink to celebrate something you are excited about is okay (of course 21 and over), but Alaska, once again got drunk. She also was foolish enough to then get in a car. That, led to her death.

When Alaska drank, it wasn’t for fun. It was to forget her past, guilt, and mistakes. Despite the influence she may have given on some readers. Alaska died, she was drunk and driving. John Green might of wanted to get that point across. For example, instead of drinking, get help. This is so that you won’t end up like Alaska. This book has a deeper meaning, and Alaska is the symbol.