The Fault in Our Stars has many themes; some more prominent than others.These themes include:
i) Love Triumphs Over All -
"'excellent. Also, if it's not too much trouble, please prepare a eulogy.'
'um,' i said.
'i love you,' he said.
'and i you.' I answered." (254)
"but, Gus, my love, i cannot tell you how thankful i am for our little infinity. I would'n't trade it for the world. you gave me a forever within the numbered days, and i'm grateful." (260)
Throughout the fault in our stars, one of the most prevalent themes is that of love triumphs over all. No matter the hardships, no matter what Hazel or gus are enduring, no matter the horrors they are facing, even if it's death, they still love each other, and still care for one another. This is also seen between hazel's parents and herself. They love her, no matter her attitude, or what she does to 'minimize the casualties'. this theme displays the dedication love brings out in people, and how loving another person can make you so much stronger. This is a theme that drives the novel forward, through the bad times, and into the good.
ii) Coming to Terms With the Death of Loved Ones -
Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is an integral part of this novel. Towards the end of the novel the reader stands by with hazel as she struggles to cope with the loss of Augustus, "it was unbearable. the whole thing. every second worse than the last", (262) and to stay strong not only for his family, but for hers as well. She knows her time on Earth is limited, and she is angry that her one, (perhaps only) love has been taken away. This theme is also seen in hazel's family life, as her parents also attempt to remain strong, knowing that their daughter will most likely not out live them. "I'm sure, feeling the harmonic terror that would in time come for them directly." (262) This theme puts death into context for us all; it gives us insight into Green's views on death, and also the reader's own as well, if they so choose to put themselves in hazel's place.
iii) Life Isn't Fair -
"'it's not fair,' i said. 'It's just so goddamned unfair.'
'The world,' he said, 'is not a wish granting factory.'" (214)
"The whole thing. eighty percent survival rate and he's in the twenty percent? bullshit." (278)
The idea of life being unfair is one of the themes the fault in our stars revolves around. The circumstances hazel, Augustus, Issac and their families must deal with are unfair. The whole disease that is cancer is unfair, it ruins lives and hurts people, yet, it is something that the characters must deal with, and it makes them more insightful and understanding, if not stronger, in the end.
iv) Relationships -
"'Peter!' Lidewij shouted. 'You are a side efect,' van houten continued, 'of an evolutionary....' 'I resign!' Lidewij shouted. there were tears in her eyes." (192-193)
"It took me the whole drive to calm down about my parents." (256)
"Gives you an idea how i feel about you." (278)
Hazel and Augustus's relationship drive the novel, after all, if it didn't than where would the fault in our stars be? however, there are a multitude of different relationships, at varying degrees of professionalism throughout the novel. There is obviously, hazel and Augustus's relationship, but also Monica and Issac's, Augustus, Issac and Hazel's mutual friendship, as well as Hazel's relationship with her parents, and that between Peter van houten and lidewij. Not all of these relationships are healthy, and not all are perfect. The theme of relationship gives the novel a more realistic feel, something that the reader can more easily identify with. It allows them to say, "oh, i know how that feels..." or "Gosh, sometimes my parents can be just like hazel's." and allows them to delve deeper into the novel.
i) Love Triumphs Over All -
"'excellent. Also, if it's not too much trouble, please prepare a eulogy.'
'um,' i said.
'i love you,' he said.
'and i you.' I answered." (254)
"but, Gus, my love, i cannot tell you how thankful i am for our little infinity. I would'n't trade it for the world. you gave me a forever within the numbered days, and i'm grateful." (260)
Throughout the fault in our stars, one of the most prevalent themes is that of love triumphs over all. No matter the hardships, no matter what Hazel or gus are enduring, no matter the horrors they are facing, even if it's death, they still love each other, and still care for one another. This is also seen between hazel's parents and herself. They love her, no matter her attitude, or what she does to 'minimize the casualties'. this theme displays the dedication love brings out in people, and how loving another person can make you so much stronger. This is a theme that drives the novel forward, through the bad times, and into the good.
ii) Coming to Terms With the Death of Loved Ones -
Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is an integral part of this novel. Towards the end of the novel the reader stands by with hazel as she struggles to cope with the loss of Augustus, "it was unbearable. the whole thing. every second worse than the last", (262) and to stay strong not only for his family, but for hers as well. She knows her time on Earth is limited, and she is angry that her one, (perhaps only) love has been taken away. This theme is also seen in hazel's family life, as her parents also attempt to remain strong, knowing that their daughter will most likely not out live them. "I'm sure, feeling the harmonic terror that would in time come for them directly." (262) This theme puts death into context for us all; it gives us insight into Green's views on death, and also the reader's own as well, if they so choose to put themselves in hazel's place.
iii) Life Isn't Fair -
"'it's not fair,' i said. 'It's just so goddamned unfair.'
'The world,' he said, 'is not a wish granting factory.'" (214)
"The whole thing. eighty percent survival rate and he's in the twenty percent? bullshit." (278)
The idea of life being unfair is one of the themes the fault in our stars revolves around. The circumstances hazel, Augustus, Issac and their families must deal with are unfair. The whole disease that is cancer is unfair, it ruins lives and hurts people, yet, it is something that the characters must deal with, and it makes them more insightful and understanding, if not stronger, in the end.
iv) Relationships -
"'Peter!' Lidewij shouted. 'You are a side efect,' van houten continued, 'of an evolutionary....' 'I resign!' Lidewij shouted. there were tears in her eyes." (192-193)
"It took me the whole drive to calm down about my parents." (256)
"Gives you an idea how i feel about you." (278)
Hazel and Augustus's relationship drive the novel, after all, if it didn't than where would the fault in our stars be? however, there are a multitude of different relationships, at varying degrees of professionalism throughout the novel. There is obviously, hazel and Augustus's relationship, but also Monica and Issac's, Augustus, Issac and Hazel's mutual friendship, as well as Hazel's relationship with her parents, and that between Peter van houten and lidewij. Not all of these relationships are healthy, and not all are perfect. The theme of relationship gives the novel a more realistic feel, something that the reader can more easily identify with. It allows them to say, "oh, i know how that feels..." or "Gosh, sometimes my parents can be just like hazel's." and allows them to delve deeper into the novel.
v) Water -
"I made the acquaintance of Augustus Waters," (6)
"my lungs started to fill up with water." (24)
"on a concrete outcropping right at the edge of the canal." (161-162)
The theme and metaphor of water is present throughout the entirety of the book, in some form or another. Water both represents life and death in this novel, as a life giver, and a harbinger of death. An example of Water's life bringing ability is seen in the setting; both Indianapolis and Amsterdam are canal cities. Amsterdam depended on its canals and proximity to water to continue to exist for many years, even if this isn't the case today. The intent of the Indianapolis canals was to improve shipping, urban Development and transport throughout Indiana.
The theme of water is also seen in Augustus's last name, 'waters.' In this aspect, water is both a symbol of life and death. Augustus lived, and he died. He gave hazel purpose, and when he died, it could be said that he took this away. Water symbolizes the universe's ambiguity in the novel, something hazel struggles with Throughout the book, the idea that it not only creates but it destroys.
"I made the acquaintance of Augustus Waters," (6)
"my lungs started to fill up with water." (24)
"on a concrete outcropping right at the edge of the canal." (161-162)
The theme and metaphor of water is present throughout the entirety of the book, in some form or another. Water both represents life and death in this novel, as a life giver, and a harbinger of death. An example of Water's life bringing ability is seen in the setting; both Indianapolis and Amsterdam are canal cities. Amsterdam depended on its canals and proximity to water to continue to exist for many years, even if this isn't the case today. The intent of the Indianapolis canals was to improve shipping, urban Development and transport throughout Indiana.
The theme of water is also seen in Augustus's last name, 'waters.' In this aspect, water is both a symbol of life and death. Augustus lived, and he died. He gave hazel purpose, and when he died, it could be said that he took this away. Water symbolizes the universe's ambiguity in the novel, something hazel struggles with Throughout the book, the idea that it not only creates but it destroys.