In the novel "Paper Towns" by John Green, the main character Quentin and his friends embark on a quest to find their missing friend Margo. The question that arises is whether Margo intentionally left clues so that Quentin and his friends could find her, or if they are searching for someone who does not want to be found. Through analyzing the text, it becomes evident that Margo did not want to be found and did not intentionally leave clues for Quentin and his friends.
Firstly, Margo is a character who values her independence and dislikes being controlled by others. She expresses this sentiment when she tells Quentin, "I'm a big believer in random capitalization. The rules of capitalization are so unfair to words in the middle of a sentence." This shows that Margo does not conform to societal norms and does not like to be constrained by rules. If Margo truly wanted to be found, she would have left more direct and obvious clues.
Secondly, Margo’s final message to Quentin was a clear indication that she did not want to be found. In her note, she says, “I'm going to miss you. So you better remember me." This indicates that Margo does not plan on seeing Quentin again and wants him to remember her as she was when they were friends. Additionally, when Quentin and his friends finally find Margo, she expresses her disappointment and frustration with them for looking for her. She says, “It was nice of you to try, but you shouldn't have come." This statement confirms that Margo did not want to be found and was not intentionally leaving clues for Quentin and his friends to follow.
Lastly, the metaphor of the “paper towns” in the novel supports the argument that Margo did not want to be found. Paper towns are fictitious towns that mapmakers create to protect their copyright. These towns are intentionally placed on maps to catch other mapmakers who might try to steal their work. The metaphor of paper towns represents Margo's desire to be an enigma and not be defined by the expectations of others. Margo is a complex character who does not want to be reduced to a simplistic narrative.
In conclusion, the evidence from the text suggests that Margo did not intentionally leave clues for Quentin and his friends to follow. Her independent nature, her final message to Quentin, her disappointment in her friends for finding her, and the metaphor of paper towns all support this argument. While Quentin and his friends were searching for Margo, they were actually searching for someone who did not want to be found.
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