Song Dedication: I Found a Reason

When we meet Miles, the main character of Looking for Alaska, he is hanging out with his parents and two acquaintance friends at his going away party. His parents are embarrassed by this lame turnout, but Miles expected it... Instead of sticking it out at his current high school, Miles decides he will do what many of his literary heroes have done before him: go in search of the “Great Perhaps” (from the last words of François Rabelais, "I go to seek a Great Perhaps."). He decides to enroll in Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama for his sophomore year of high school, and in doing so opens himself up to a world of new experiences.

So, to Miles I dedicate “I Found a Reason” by The Velvet Underground for two reasons. Reason #1: The lyrics “If you don't like things you leave/ For some place you never gone before”. Miles was eking out an unsatisfying existence at his school and instead of accepting this as his fate, he went some place he’d never been before. And Reason #2: The character Alaska became the essence of life and mystery to him… she became his “Great Perhaps” and one of his main reasons for living (“Honey, I found a reason to keep living/ And you know the reason, dear it's you”). Miles, wherever you are, I hope you like The Velvet Underground.

Miles is obsessed with last words (as is the author, John Green). To find some choice words, check out Famous Last Words: Fond Farewells, Deathbed Diatribes, and Exclamations upon Expiration compiled by Ray Robinson

Jennifer C. - Children's