Prompt- How does the main character develop through direct and indirect characterization in the novel you are currently reading?
The main character in Looking For Alaska is Miles "Pudge" Halter. As I've seen so far, he develops greatly as the story progresses. He has changed from the beginning of the novel very dramatically! John Green is developing Miles through characterization. Characterization is the process by which a writer reveals the personality of a character. John Green does this using many methods. We get a decent understanding of who Miles is at the beginning of the book. His parents plan him a going away party because he is heading off to boarding school. Though, no one actually ends up showing up. We are able to get an idea of what his life is like to start out the story when he says, "I could feel their pity as they scooped artichoke dip with chips intended for my imaginary friends, but they needed pity more than I did: I wasn't disappointed. My expectations had been met." The author is using indirect characterization to emphasize the fact that Miles doesn't have many friends, if any. He is most likely pretty lonely, if we wasn't even expecting a couple people to show up to his party. I know that people can be happy without really any friends, but it doesn't seem like Miles is too happy. Throughout the whole first chapter he seems like a bit of a downer. Even in this quote, he explains that his expectations had been met for the party. That means he didn't expect anyone to show up at all! He wasn't disappointed, but he should've at least expected a couple people. He has a lack of hope, and is a bit of a pessimist. Though as the story goes on, we are able to see him break out of his shell of loneliness and hopelessness.
Miles is also seeking adventure. We can see this when he says, "That's why I'm going. So I don't have to wait until I die to start seeking a Great Perhaps." This is also indirect characterization. Miles is explaining why he wants to go to boarding school. It shows that Miles may be bored with his current life, and wants something more (though he doesn't explicitly say this). He wants excitement, but has almost been confined in Florida. He is well kept, but wants to start looking for something greater that will happen to him. Because he is good, and quiet most of the time, he wants a change. He doesn't want to spend his whole life, waiting for something great to happen. He wants to experience something amazing, but he hasn't really had the opportunity.The main way that the author develops the character is through setting and Miles' reaction to other characters. Like I said, Miles didn't really have any friends, but that all changed when he went to Culver Creek Boarding School. It was a fresh start to meet new people, and he did meet some interesting people. He met The Colonel, Alaska, Takumi, and Lara. Though it's mainly just the four of them, they had a deep bond. We can see Miles developing and beginning to actually make friends after he has almost been drowned and The Colonel says, "But we will deal with those Bastards, Pudge. I promise you. They will regret messing with one of my friends." This is direct characterization because The Colonel is literally coming out and saying that Miles, is his friend! He is also letting Miles know that he will deal with the people that tried to drown him. When another person sticks up for you, it is usually an indicator that they are a friend that really cares about you. The Colonel is really beginning to get close with Miles. Miles finally feels like he has a friend he can count on. He can now feel less lonely, because he has made an actual, real, friend. He can also feel more positive because he knows he has someone looking out for him.
We can also see Miles develop into a more confident, optimistic, and mischievous person with his new school and new friends. When himself, Alaska, The Colonel, Takumi, and Lara are setting out to prank their school, Miles says, "The five of us walking confidently in a row, I'd never felt cooler. The Great Perhaps was upon us, and we were invincible. The plan may have had faults, but we did not." This is direct characterization. It is direct in the sense that it's explicitly saying that he was now walking confidently with his four other friends. He has this new positivity and confidence about him, and he is acting more bold! He is going to take the risk of possibly getting expelled from school from setting off fireworks, and breaking into dorm rooms with this prank. He even admits the plan had flaws. This once quiet, good boy, is becoming more rebellious and mischievous. He knows he is breaking the rules, but does it anyways. It's because of these new friends and this new school that he has even attempted this risk. This quote also talks about how "The Great Perhaps" that Miles was seeking, was finally happening. This new and exciting opportunity came up to prank the school. He now feels like he is fulfilling this Great Perhaps.
Throughout the story, we can clearly see that Miles has developed through setting and his reactions to other characters. This once quiet, lonely, unconfident, good boy was completely changed. A new school, has caused him to make new friends. These friends have caused him to do things he would've never imagined doing, and helped him to gain a new confidence. He is able to break out of his shell, and take risks. He is fulfilling his Great Perhaps, which he would've never imagined doing! He was greatly changed and influenced by the setting and other characters in the story. They have been the main developers of Miles throughout the story so far. Though, I know a main conflict in the story will develop Miles as well. (I just didn't have the time to elaborate on it in this blog.)
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