At the end of his novel, John Green included a page titled "Some Intentionally Vague and Broad Discussion Questions" that consisted of five questions. Here is where they will be discussed.
1. Is forgiveness universal? I mean, is forgiveness really available to all people, no matter the circumstances? Is it, for instance, possible for the dead to forgive the living, and for the living to forgive the dead?
I believe that forgiveness can be available to all living and dead people. It is possible for the living to forgive the living and the dead no matter how hard it may be. However, it is impossible for the dead to forgive others. When one dies, they cease the ability to perform actions, such as forgiving one. Their soul is no longer contained in that body, and it is based on one's personal belief as to where that soul ends up after death. Though it is possible for one to forgive another and then immediately die, it is not possible for one to die and then forgive. Many people say that the dead do forgive the living, but those are only false words of comfort.
2. I would argue that both in fiction and in real life, teenage smoking is a symbolic action. What do you think it's intended to symbolize, and what does it end up symbolizing? To phrase this question differently: Why would anyone ever pay money in exchange for the opportunity to acquire lung cancer and/or emphysema?
Teenagers smoke for many different reasons, including peer pressure, curiosity, rebellion, attempting to look cool, and the buzz that nicotine gives them. When asking about teenage smoking as a symbol in Looking For Alaska, I believe it is a symbol for rebellion and peer pressure. Before he met his new friends, Pudge had never tried a cigarette. The reason Pudge took up smoking was not only due to his curiosity, but mainly because the Colonel and particularly Alaska were avid smokers. At Culver Creek, it is forbidden to smoke, however, the Colonel and his group of friends are constantly going against the rules and smoke anyways. Smoking can also symbolize suicide, because as one continues to smoke intentionally, one worsens the condition of the lungs and can eventually die, knowing full well that it was due to smoking. Alaska, who does end up dying, though not from smoking but possibly suicide, says, "I smoke to die" (44).
3. Do you like Alaska? Do you think it's important to like the people you read about?
I do like Alaska, and it is important to like the characters that were meant to be liked. Alaska was a character that was meant to be liked, and occasionally she irked me, but overall I really did like her character and personality. If one does not like a character that was meant to be liked, the tone and mood of the book would be distorted. For example, if I hated Alaska, the end of the book would be joyous, because I was glad she died. I could have missed out on the immense sadness that Pudge and his friend had experienced, which was the intentional tone and mood of the end of the book.
4. By the end of the novel, Pudge has a lot to say about immorality and what the point of being alive is (if there is a point). To what extent do your thoughts on morality shape your understanding of life's meaning?
Moralities are meant to guide people on how to live life. What is considered wrongdoing is based upon one's personal moralities. How one lives life can factor into what one believes the meaning of life to be. For example, one might believe the the meaning of life is to do x and y. How would one go about doing that? By doing a, b, and c. In order to do a, b, and c properly, one needs morals to base their actions upon. Another example is that one believes that the meaning of life is to do good to others. Morals define what that person believes doing good is.
5. How would you answer the old man's final question for his students? What would your version of Pudge's essay look like?
The way out of the labyrinth of pain and suffering is a combination of several different components. Hope is the most essential. For as long as one has hope, one can find determination to escape the labyrinth. If one does not have hope to ever get out, what will motivate them to even attempt to pursue an exit? Forgiveness is also a key component of the escape route, for the same reasons as Pudge had stated. Another component is to let go. One can not continue to go further is one is being held back by something. Therefore, the way out of the labyrinth does not have one specific answer, but multiple.
1. Is forgiveness universal? I mean, is forgiveness really available to all people, no matter the circumstances? Is it, for instance, possible for the dead to forgive the living, and for the living to forgive the dead?
I believe that forgiveness can be available to all living and dead people. It is possible for the living to forgive the living and the dead no matter how hard it may be. However, it is impossible for the dead to forgive others. When one dies, they cease the ability to perform actions, such as forgiving one. Their soul is no longer contained in that body, and it is based on one's personal belief as to where that soul ends up after death. Though it is possible for one to forgive another and then immediately die, it is not possible for one to die and then forgive. Many people say that the dead do forgive the living, but those are only false words of comfort.
2. I would argue that both in fiction and in real life, teenage smoking is a symbolic action. What do you think it's intended to symbolize, and what does it end up symbolizing? To phrase this question differently: Why would anyone ever pay money in exchange for the opportunity to acquire lung cancer and/or emphysema?
Teenagers smoke for many different reasons, including peer pressure, curiosity, rebellion, attempting to look cool, and the buzz that nicotine gives them. When asking about teenage smoking as a symbol in Looking For Alaska, I believe it is a symbol for rebellion and peer pressure. Before he met his new friends, Pudge had never tried a cigarette. The reason Pudge took up smoking was not only due to his curiosity, but mainly because the Colonel and particularly Alaska were avid smokers. At Culver Creek, it is forbidden to smoke, however, the Colonel and his group of friends are constantly going against the rules and smoke anyways. Smoking can also symbolize suicide, because as one continues to smoke intentionally, one worsens the condition of the lungs and can eventually die, knowing full well that it was due to smoking. Alaska, who does end up dying, though not from smoking but possibly suicide, says, "I smoke to die" (44).
3. Do you like Alaska? Do you think it's important to like the people you read about?
I do like Alaska, and it is important to like the characters that were meant to be liked. Alaska was a character that was meant to be liked, and occasionally she irked me, but overall I really did like her character and personality. If one does not like a character that was meant to be liked, the tone and mood of the book would be distorted. For example, if I hated Alaska, the end of the book would be joyous, because I was glad she died. I could have missed out on the immense sadness that Pudge and his friend had experienced, which was the intentional tone and mood of the end of the book.
4. By the end of the novel, Pudge has a lot to say about immorality and what the point of being alive is (if there is a point). To what extent do your thoughts on morality shape your understanding of life's meaning?
Moralities are meant to guide people on how to live life. What is considered wrongdoing is based upon one's personal moralities. How one lives life can factor into what one believes the meaning of life to be. For example, one might believe the the meaning of life is to do x and y. How would one go about doing that? By doing a, b, and c. In order to do a, b, and c properly, one needs morals to base their actions upon. Another example is that one believes that the meaning of life is to do good to others. Morals define what that person believes doing good is.
5. How would you answer the old man's final question for his students? What would your version of Pudge's essay look like?
The way out of the labyrinth of pain and suffering is a combination of several different components. Hope is the most essential. For as long as one has hope, one can find determination to escape the labyrinth. If one does not have hope to ever get out, what will motivate them to even attempt to pursue an exit? Forgiveness is also a key component of the escape route, for the same reasons as Pudge had stated. Another component is to let go. One can not continue to go further is one is being held back by something. Therefore, the way out of the labyrinth does not have one specific answer, but multiple.
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