Looking for Alaska

The Colonel and Miles have now thrown themselves into their schoolwork, and their room becomes a study den for both themselves and Takumi and Lara. No one talks much during this time, but, according to Miles, they have no need to do so.

Dr. Hyde gives the students their final exam of the semester, and the question is as follows: “How will you—you personally—ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering? Now that you’ve wrestled with three major religious traditions, apply your newly enlightened mind to Alaska’s question.” Dr. Hyde says that the founder figures of the major religions each brought “a message of radical hope” (215), so the question for the students is where they find their cause for hope.

When Miles asks the Colonel how they will ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering, he replies that he wishes he knew. When Miles points out that he has to write something, the Colonel says that straight and fast seems the only way out. Alaska was right about that, but the Colonel chooses the labyrinth; even with its suffering.