Looking For Alaska: Following the Leader

Looking for Alaska: By John Greene, Alaska is the String that Holds Everyone Together

          In Looking For Alaska, by John Greene, after Alaska dies I started to realize that everyone began losing touch and their friendships were strained. I also started to see how Alaska had brought them together by being their friend and now, after dying, she is tearing them apart by not being there. I saw this in Pudge and the Colonel's friendship mostly. But also it really showed how to Pudge, Colonel, Lara, and Takumi Alaska is more than their leader. She is a huge part of them. Without Alaska, they wouldn't have  the same friendships, relationships, and at least for Pudge they wouldn't be smoking or drinking, and all of these things shape who they are. So when you put it that way, Alaska shapes who they are just by being there, yet while not even trying to. 

          In the book, Colonel and Pudge are best friends and roommates, yet at the very beginning its not like that. At first, they talk except you can tell they're not really friends and don't have that much in common. Then they go to Alaska's room and Pudge is introduced to Alaska. This doesn't change they're friendship immideatly, but I began to notice a slight change of them becoming closer and closer, and their relationship goes from friendly roommates, to friends. Once they all become close to Alaska they really start to talk to each other, like them being friends with Alaska also means they can be friends with each other. Also, when Alaska dies Pudge and Colonel sort of fall out, because Alaskas not there and she really was what connected them. Although they're still friends, they constantly snap at each other and have almost no patience. For example, on page 161 Pudge says one thing and Colonel says, "Just stop worrying about your goddamned self for one day and worry about your dead friend." which also shows me how without Alaska they're friendship just isn't as strong because its like she subconciously controlled it. Also, Lara and Pudge start going out in the middle of the book. At the beginning of the book Alaska introduces them at McDonalds and it's obvious they like each other, yet no one says anything. Later in the book, Alaska sets them up, and they go out. To me, it seemed like that was Alaska 'giving them her permission.' I don't think Alaska tries to but without trying to she really does control everyones relationships, and does more than just lead ther friends, she is like a part of them.

          Also, I think that everyone lets Alaska lead them, because they're at boarding school without parents, so it's easier to let her lead them then have to lead themselves. For example, on page 80 Pudge is talking to Alaska and doesn't know wat to do about Thanksgiving so he just asks Alaska, "What am I going to do?" and when she says,"You'll spend Thanksgiving with me, silly. Here." Thats just what Pudge does because he doesn't know what to do, so he just lets Alaska know what he should do. I don't think that this is at all a bad thing, but I also think Alaska may know whats best when making some decisions, like the conversation above that doesn't really matter so it's okay that he's following Alaska, but I don't know if when faced with hard choices Alaska would make the right decision. Also, I think that I understand that everyone needs someone to lean on and he's in love with Alaska but when faced with harder decisions Alaska can crack under pressure, and so maybe he shouldn't be going to her.

          In the book, Looking for Alaska, Alaska is clearly the leader. She affects how her friends act, the choices they make, and the company they keep. I also saw how Pudge tends to lean on her for support, and I know that without parents around anymore he obviously needs someone, but I don't really think Alaska is the right choice.