What Is The Significance Of Miles In Looking For Alaska

The Great Perhaps Miles “Pudge” Halter is the main character in the book Looking for Alaska written by John Green. He was raised in Florida, and during his junior year of high school he decided he would attend boarding school at Culver Creek in Alabama. In the beginning of the book, Miles informs the reader of his interest in the last words of people who are dying. His favorite came from a poet named Francois Rabelais whose last words were “I go to seek the Great Perhaps,” (Before). This intrigues Miles- so much so, that the journey he chooses throughout the book is based on Rabelais’ dying words. Miles’ goal is to find his “Great Perhaps,” and he believes boarding school will allow him to achieve his goal.
Miles is unsure of what the Great Perhaps is when he first attends the new school. He believes there is more meaning to life and what it has to offer. Shortly after his arrival, Miles develops a relationship with Alaska Young. Alaska happens to be the Great Perhaps Miles has been looking for, although he does not know it. Miles was a different person prior to his time at boarding school. He was not given much attention, and did not enjoy school or have many friends, and Culver Creek changed that.

She is an instigator and initiates much of the smoking and drinking that the characters get involved in. She takes her problems away by consuming herself in those activities. At one point in the book, she even admits to Miles that her reason for drinking is due to her unhappiness. At times, Miles would get very upset with Alaska. The problem revolved around Alaska’s relationship with her boyfriend, Jake, while Miles was developing an attraction for her. Miles was also concerned for his friend, because she would tend to shut down when in a bad mood, and refrain from opening up to