Looking for Alaska by John Green One hundred thirty-six days before - One hundred twenty-six days before Summary
Looking for Alaska is a contemporary coming of age novel set in Birmingham, Alabama at the prestigious and co-ed boarding school known to alumna as the "Creek." As the novel begins, Miles Halter's melancholy description of public school and life in Florida sets the premise of his character's initial conflict- boredom and his detachment from his family, his school, and friends that don't exist. Before leaving to begin his junior year at Culver Creek Preparatory High School, Miles' doting mother attempts to throw him a going away party that no one shows up to except for two do-gooders whom Miles barely considers acquaintances. As a result, his parents are concerned and pity their son but Miles is not surprised. "Is this why you want to leave, Miles?" his mother asks (4).
Miles has always been drawn to reading the biographies of various writers, even if he has never read any of their work. He also has a talent for memorizing the last words of famous people throughout history. To answer his mother's question of why he wants to leave home to attend a boarding school in Alabama, Miles retrieves the biography of François Rabelais from his father's study and reads aloud the poet's last words to his parents, "I go to seek a Great Perhaps" (5). It is at this moment that the reader is introduced to Miles' purpose throughout the novel, to find something bigger than him- to get something out of life other than mediocrity.
The overwhelming Alabama heat is not the only thing that immediately strikes Miles as he adjusts to dorm living without air conditioning. His roommate, Chip Martin, or the "Colonel," takes Miles under his wing and ironically nicknames him "Pudge" before introducing him to Alaska- a beautifully mysterious girl who is brash and unavailable. Alaska's adventurous and reckless outlook on life leaves Miles completely infatuated. Especially when she challenges him with Simón BolÃvar's parting remark, "Damn it. How will I ever get out of this labyrinth!" to which Miles has no answer- yet. Together, Alaska and the Colonel give Miles a few pointers on life at the Creek; the most important being to never rat on anyone at Culver Creek no matter what the offense.
The night before his first day of classes, Miles goes to bed early. Before dawn, he is kidnapped from his bed by a group of male students. Wearing only his boxer shorts, Miles is swiftly led across the soccer field to the lake. There, he is mummified from his shoulders to his wrists with duck tape. His kidnappers, only one identified as Kevin Richman, also tape his mouth, thighs, and ankles before saying, "This is for the Colonel. You shouldn't hang out with that asshole," and throw him into the lake (25). Once Miles manages to wiggle his way back to shore and peel off the duct tape, he finds his way to Alaska's room where he receives zero sympathy. Back in his dorm room, the Colonel tries to explain to Miles, who is seething with anger and indignation, that hazing from the Weekday Warriors, otherwise known as the wealthy day students, is just a part of initiation. But once Miles mentions the duct tape and Kevin's last words to him before he hurled Miles in the lake, the Colonel quickly realizes that the stunt was no hazing ritual. It was an invitation to start a war.
Miles has always been drawn to reading the biographies of various writers, even if he has never read any of their work. He also has a talent for memorizing the last words of famous people throughout history. To answer his mother's question of why he wants to leave home to attend a boarding school in Alabama, Miles retrieves the biography of François Rabelais from his father's study and reads aloud the poet's last words to his parents, "I go to seek a Great Perhaps" (5). It is at this moment that the reader is introduced to Miles' purpose throughout the novel, to find something bigger than him- to get something out of life other than mediocrity.
The overwhelming Alabama heat is not the only thing that immediately strikes Miles as he adjusts to dorm living without air conditioning. His roommate, Chip Martin, or the "Colonel," takes Miles under his wing and ironically nicknames him "Pudge" before introducing him to Alaska- a beautifully mysterious girl who is brash and unavailable. Alaska's adventurous and reckless outlook on life leaves Miles completely infatuated. Especially when she challenges him with Simón BolÃvar's parting remark, "Damn it. How will I ever get out of this labyrinth!" to which Miles has no answer- yet. Together, Alaska and the Colonel give Miles a few pointers on life at the Creek; the most important being to never rat on anyone at Culver Creek no matter what the offense.
The night before his first day of classes, Miles goes to bed early. Before dawn, he is kidnapped from his bed by a group of male students. Wearing only his boxer shorts, Miles is swiftly led across the soccer field to the lake. There, he is mummified from his shoulders to his wrists with duck tape. His kidnappers, only one identified as Kevin Richman, also tape his mouth, thighs, and ankles before saying, "This is for the Colonel. You shouldn't hang out with that asshole," and throw him into the lake (25). Once Miles manages to wiggle his way back to shore and peel off the duct tape, he finds his way to Alaska's room where he receives zero sympathy. Back in his dorm room, the Colonel tries to explain to Miles, who is seething with anger and indignation, that hazing from the Weekday Warriors, otherwise known as the wealthy day students, is just a part of initiation. But once Miles mentions the duct tape and Kevin's last words to him before he hurled Miles in the lake, the Colonel quickly realizes that the stunt was no hazing ritual. It was an invitation to start a war.
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