Independent Reading: Looking for Alaska

Theme and Summary

Theme: One point of theme in LFA is forgiveness because Pudge feels very guilty for letting Alaska drive drunk the night she died in the car crash. Throughout the second half of the novel Pudge must deal with this guilt. Near the ending of the book Pudge realizes that Alaska, in spirit, forgives him for letting her drive drunk because he was a loyal, wonderful friend to her. Also, Pudge knows that Alaska wanted her life to end and because of her death, she forgives him. She had said, "I need to get to my mother's grave."
       Another theme of LFA is definitley friendship throughout the novel. The Colonel, Takumi, and Alaska all take Pudge in as their own, making him feel welcome and introducing him into their ways. Pudge finds this friendship early on in the novel but it grows and grows and grows as time goes on.

Summary: One of the most important parts of the novel, one dealing with the theme of friendship is at the beginning of the novel when Pudge is taped up and thrown into the lake by the Weekday Warriors. The Colonel is very angry with the Weekday Warriors and threatens to take revenge. This shows that he cares about what happens to Pudge and making sure he is safe. Pudge could have died when he was thrown into the lake-tape binding his body together and all. The Colonel knows this and wants Pudge to know he is on his side by plotting revenge.