Oblivion and memory

Another important theme in the novel Looking for Alaska by John Green is oblivion and memory. After her death, Miles and the Colonel wonder where Alaska is now. When they go to her funeral, they expect to feel her presence and to be connected to her once again. But when the Colonel and Miles stand together by her coffin, they find that they cannot feel her. They are forced to realize that Alaska is really gone. (p. 135).

Especially in the moments when they are light-hearted for a short time and joke and laugh as before, they abruptly feel that Alaska is no longer with them.

After Miles finds Takumi's letter, he finally realizes that they will have to come to terms with never really knowing what went on in Alaska's mind that night. He concludes that they ...