Essay Example on Two Teens, Uncertain Death: Love, Life and The Fault in Our Stars

“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green tells a story of two young individuals navigating life and love. It is a heartbreaking story yet boldly funny. The author brings the reality of the characters to be subject to the mortal nature of human beings. Hazel Grace and Augustus "Gus" are the main characters in the novel. Their story is intense; it is an emotional rollercoaster being immersed in their lives. Their uncertain death redefines living and dying young. They have limited time to live and decide to make it an adventure.

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John Green tells the story of two young adults, Hazel Grace and Gus, living in Indianapolis. They meet at a support group for teens with cancer. After the meeting ends, Gus approaches Hazel, and they make a light conversation before he invites her to his house to watch a movie. Hazel has thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs while Gus had osteosarcoma; however, he is cancer-free after going through a leg amputation. They recommend each other to their favorite novels. Hazel passionately describes her experience reading her favorite book 'An Imperial Affliction.' The book captivates her, as her experience with cancer is similar to those of the main character, Anna. However, she is angry and frustrated that the novel ends in suspense; therefore, the cast's fate is a mystery left for the imagination of the reader (Green, 2012).

They become close friends and keep regular contact. A week after they had discussed her favorite novel, Gus reveals to her that he had managed to track down the author. This information is overwhelming; Hazel has always yearned for closure to Anna's story. She writes a list of questions to the author seeking clarity for the ambiguous ending of the story. Surprisingly, Van Houten, the author invites her to Amsterdam so he could answer her questions in person. The encounter with the writer is an utter disappointment as he is a mean-spirited drunk, unable to answer any of Hazel's questions. Hazel and Gus use their chance visit to Amsterdam as a touristic opportunity. They visit places, share a romantic kiss, and make love for the first and last time. When they return home, Gus's condition worsens. As his fate is apparent, he arranges for his pre-funeral, giving Hazel and Isaac a chance to read their eulogies. A few days later, Gus dies. She is surprised to see Van Houten at the funeral. She learns about Gus' intentions, and as she reads the pages, she realizes that she likes her choices and accepts her fate.

The story centers on the experiences of Gus and Hazel, the main characters. Their encounters, family, friends, books, and other surrounding factors have influenced their character traits. Hazel, the narrator of the story, is a 16-year-old suffering from thyroid cancer. She is a conscientious person. Her experiences have made her thoughtful, considerate, and analytical about her actions. She is cautious not to cause harm to anyone in her life. His quest to know the fate of Anna's parents in her favorite novel is an attempt to make peace with her future the impact it would have on her parents. She considers herself a grenade and hopes to minimize casualties when she goes off. This outlook of life dramatically changes when she meets Gus (Green, 2012). She is much happier and more accepting of her fate. She lightens up and takes on adventures with Gus. She is much willing to talk about her fears and uncertainties with people close to her. Gus' experience and outlook of life inspire her to accept her choices regardless of the impact they may have on others.

Augustus "Gus" is a 17-year-old suffering from osteosarcoma. He has a charming, confident, and funny personality that intrigues Hazel. He is full of grandiose, much like the Roman emperor, he is named after. He is an interesting character who seeks to make life an adventure despite his condition. He argues that the purpose of life is leaving an indelible mark on humanity. He describes this as a truly heroic act. He cares about Hazel and seeks to make her happy. This version of Gus falls as cancer strikes him again. He arranges for her to meet Van Houten, plans perfectly laid picnics, writes to her about his choices, and give her space to reflect about her life. This time he is unlucky as the disease sucks the life out of him. He becomes weak as his health deteriorates and eventually dies. Even after his death, his impact on Hazel's experience is evident.

Conclusion

I find the novel heartbreaking. Cancer is a deadly disease that keeps one on edge. Although some cancer patients make full recoveries, others face the uncertainty of death. At the beginning of the story, Hazel comes close to the end. Although her condition improves, the uncertainty of tragic relapse is inevitable. Gus is portrayed as a healthy person; however, cancer returns and eventually causes his death. The twist in the story is heartbreaking, as Hazel dying would have least shocked readers as she had a near-death experience. Sadly, Hazel has to mourn the death of her close friend. Within a short period, he had made a significant impact on her life. Her life is completely changed.

Work cited

Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars. 2012. Print.