In the book Looking for Alaska, by John Green, the main character, Pudge, falls in love with Alaska Young in a matter of months. Having recently finished Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and reading about Juliet and Romeo's mutual love that occurs in a matter of days, it makes me wonder about why people fall in love, and why teens fall in love so fast.
The first time Pudge sees Alaska, he says that she's "the hottest girl in all of human history". It's obvious that from day one he's attracted to her, but the first time he says he loves her is a while later. He develops an obsession with her that starts from day one, and grows into love. Why does Pudge fall in love with Alaska? I think it's because he sees qualities in her that he doesn't see in himself, sees her very frequently, and there's also a significant degree of sexual attraction. Pudge is a bit of an awkward boy, who doesn't connect with people very deeply, and doesn't really see anything that special or interesting about himself. Alaska is a girl who is confident, emotional, and highly intriguing. She has stories to tell and a lot of secrets. She's also periodically vulnerable, and that makes him want to take care of her. Pudge also sees Alaska very often. They take classes together, and Pudge's roommate the Colonel is one of Alaska's best friends. Pudge and Alaska spend thanksgiving break almost totally by themselves, and spend large amounts of time together. Pudge's love for Alaska is interesting. If they had met at a later time, would he still love her, or would he see her in a different way depending on his experiences?
Love is a highly circumstantial thing sometimes. In some cases, people might fall in love because someone is what they need at a particular time. In other cases, people might have fallen in love no matter the time or place. I'm 14 and have never fallen in love, or anything remotely close to it, so this is all conjecture and opinion.
The reason I think teens fall in love so fast, is because they're growing and unstable, and usually have low self-esteem, and fall in love with traits they admire in others, and also other people who see good in them and care for them. In a time where everything is variable, they're looking for someone who will love them constantly and unwaveringly.
Reading about young love recently has given me time to reflect on what it is, and why it happens.
