User:Relkadi/sandbox

Appearance versus reality
In the novel, each character possesses their own vision or interpretation of other characters, particularly Margo Roth Spiegelman. For example, Quentin always envisioned Margo as self-centered and materialistic. However, after her disappearance, he soon learns another deeper, more complex side to her. He discovers her record collection and love for literature, particularly the poem, "Songs of Myself" from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. Due to her immense popularity, various characters in the novel assume that she was content with her life. However, Margo always feigned a facade of happiness. Internally, she despised her situation. She loathed the fake nature of her "paper town" and the people she surrounded herself with. On his quest to find Margo, Quentin, as well as Ben, Radar, and Lacey, all create their own images of her. Nevertheless, towards the end of the text, each character discovers that his or her image of Margo was false. In a romantic fashion, Quentin assumes that Margo desires to be saved. Thus, in an effort to be her "knight in shining armor," he embarks on the mission to find her and enlists his friends, as well. He assumes that Margo will be ecstatic to see that he has followed her intricate clues and come to "rescue" her. Similarly, Lacey also believes that Margo will be pleased to see her. She wants Margo to realize that she is undoubtedly a good friend. Meanwhile, through the complexity and game-like structure of the clues, Ben and particularly, Radar, begin to like Margo and even think that she is a "cool" person. However, in reality, Margo ultimately does not live up to their expectations. Her rudeness and crudity negate their preconceived images and beliefs of her. In the end, Quentin, Ben, Radar, and Lacey realize that appearances do not offer them an accurate depiction of an individual's reality or self. Margo was not who she appeared to be. However, Margo has always been this way. To them, it appears that she has changed, but in reality, she has simply grown into her own self. Interestingly, Margo discussed the concept of appearance versus reality to Quentin when she referred to Orlando as a "paper town" in their late night excursion at the SunTrust bank building.

Identity
Throughout the course of the novel, characters, such as Margo and Quentin, engage in a journey towards self-realization. Like many high school students, both characters feel a deep need to understand who they are. Margo despises how fake and fabricated her life is in Orlando. She feels suffocated and unable to express who she really is, as a result of the people she surrounds herself with and the expectations of others. In Orlando, Margo is just another "paper girl." However, she wants to be much more than that. Thus, Margo abruptly leaves Orlando, her friends, and her family behind to find and more importantly be herself. Despite what others believe, Margo is a complex and adventurous person. She has a desire to travel the world to discover her self. Similarly, she uses literature and musical lyrics to find her identity. Her escape symbolizes her journey towards self-realization. She does not change. She simply grows into her own self.

Meanwhile, throughout the majority of the text, Quentin also embarks on a journey towards self-realization. During the revenge mission with Margo, Quentin discovers aspects of himself that he never knew about. As a "diligent" student, Quentin has always been cautious. He never misses school and keeps to himself and his small group of friends. However, through the revenge mission, the clues, and the journey to find Margo, Quentin learns more and more about himself. He becomes more confident. Also, he is able to take risks without the fear of disappointing others. His journey towards self-realization reaches its peak, when he skips graduation to find Margo. Towards the end of the novel, readers are able to see a more confident and determined version of Quentin. He has matured. His newfound confidence allows him to finally kiss Margo, which is something that he has wanted to do for years.

Obsession
In the novel, Quentin becomes infatuated with finding Margo, "rescuing" her, and being her "knight in shining armor." His desire to find Margo becomes an obsession. His whole world revolves around the clues. He desperately wants to find Margo, in order to prove himself. John Green parallels his obsession with Margo to Captain Ahab's obsession with the white whale in Moby-Dick. Quentin wants to find Margo to prove that he is capable of being with her. As a result of his obsession, Quentin neglects his friends, family, and school work. Some critics, such as Sami Clara of CultNoise Magazine, argue that his fixation of Margo further demonstrates male entitlement. Nevertheless, his obsession with her relates back to his quest for identity. Quentin desires to prove himself to others, especially Margo. He wants her to see that he is not her "nerdy" next-door neighbor. He is confident and capable of being with her.

"The Strings"
"The Strings" refers to both the title of the first section of the text and a metaphor in the novel. "The Strings" are a metaphor for an individual's mental, emotional, and physical capabilities. In the novel, readers are introduced to this concept, through Robert Joyner's suicide. Margo argues that the strings inside of him were "broken." Internally, Robert Joyner did not possess the mental, emotional, or physical capacity to continue on, after his divorce. He was figuratively "broken." The concept of "The Strings" reflects Margo's philosophy of life. It pushes her to escape Orlando, so that she does not end up irrevocably "broken" like Robert Joyner.

"The Grass"
"The Grass" refers to both the title of the second section of the text and a metaphor in the novel. "The Grass" is a metaphor of the interconnection of all human beings. It is an allusion to the poem, "Songs of Myself" from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. All human beings are interrelated. As a result of our interconnection, humans possess the capacity to understand and even become one another. This concept rebukes the idea or theme of appearance versus reality. As interrelated beings, there is no room for judgement. Furthermore, the concept of "The Grass" also emphasizes the idea of everlasting spirits. If each human being is interconnected, then it is impossible for one to ever be dead. His or her soul will always be able to live on, as long as someone is alive.

"The Vessel"
Similarly, "The Vessel" also refers to both the title of the third section of the text and a metaphor in the novel. "The Vessel" is a metaphor of human nature. Each human being begins his or her life as a vessel. However, over the course of time, the vessel begins to crack, as a result of the various trials and tribulations that people endure. These cracks allow individuals to become their true selves. They also grant others to discover their vulnerabilities. Ultimately, these vulnerabilities allow people to grow closer to each other and form friendships.