Alaska Young seems to be the typical heroine, what with her vivacious looks, noble spirit, and high intellect; but there also seems to be a wild streak in her that grips her very being and anyone who comes in contact with her. Alaska has a need to be increasingly daring, especially mysterious, and, well, unconditionally extraordinary. And this is where I introduce another analysis on the name of an important character: so, what does "Alaska" even mean? It actually comes from the Russian word "Alakshak," which means great lan ds or pe ninsula. The significance here is that Alaska was a source of life and vibrancy for her friends and was the "land" to which they would anchor themselves (though Alaska was, ironically, unstable). The second interpretation of this name goes in hand with the first; John Green himself explained the name also came from "Aleyska," which means that which the sea breaks against. This translation implies that Alaska is a force that could withstand a great deal of difficulties. Both interpretations imply that Alaska possesses power and strength to overcome the miseries of life. Turning back to the irony factor in this name, Alaska does (SPOILER ALERT!) die, whether from a suicide or from a pure mistake, no one knows. If it was a suicide, which is very likely, it disproves Alaska's strength to live and proves that weakness can devour people as unerring as Alaska, although her name connotes perdurable strength. On the other hand, if it was an unfortunate accident, it clarifies the fallibility of even the strongest creatures. Thanks to the following website for providing a little bit of information on the origin of the name "Alaska" : http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Alaska/name_origin.html |