The Bildungsroman- Looking For Alaska by John Green

Looking  for Alaska is seemingly an adventure of the young adolescent named Miles Halter or "Pudge" as many called him. One significant theme of the book is finding a way out of the "labyrinth" that we are trapped in throughout our lives. Like any good coming-of-age story Miles is very dramatic and lacking in confidence. The word bildungsroman is a German word describing when a young character develops, morally and intellectually. Looking for Alaska is a good example of this growth and maturity the character receives. An example of Miles growing is even the fact that he was brave enough at sixteen to leave his parents in search for something he didn't even know that he would ever find. Even from the beginning of the book Miles Halter is a captivating and well-formed character, you can easily tell he has some figuring out and growing up to do. The most traumatic thing you can go through is the grief of death and loosing those you love. When Miles hears of Alaska's death it is absolutely crushing. The feelings of it all being your fault and not knowing if things are ever going to be "normal" again. Both Miles and his friend chip went through this with the death of their best friend Alaska. A regularly playing theme throughout the book is the idea that no matter what we go through, we must always try to find our way to a better self, though that can be the toughest thing in the world.