Mrs. Jernigan's Class discussion

I am reading The Fault in Our Stars

In this book (view spoiler)[ Four will die!!!!(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I am reading . In the beginning of this book, I thought that Hazel would be a sad cancer patient who would never find someone to love. (view spoiler)[ but when she goes to therapy, she meets Gus who instantly falls for her, but she does not know if she wants to start a relationship (view spoiler)[.
I really like this book so far because it shows the preservation of someone who does not want pity or special treatment, even though she has cancer. She is honest and blunt. Gus is a great character because he does not stop trying to get Hazel, even after she has told him she does not want to be with him. He is witty, funny, and charismatic. He cares about her so much even though they have only known each other for a few months.
(view spoiler)[ I like how John Green uses a book to help bring the two together (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

In The Fault in Our Stars, the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster is told from her perspective. The beginning of this book allows the reader to get to know Hazel's personality, her life story, and her current status as a seventeen year old fighting a battle with thyroid and lung cancer. She would rather stay home and watch America's Next Model than go anywhere. She has been diagnosed with depression by her own mother which she testifies is an obvious side effect of dying. One of the only times she gets out is to go to Support Group at her church where she is introduced to Augustus Waters (a really cute boy according to her). It is assumed from their first interactions that he will soon be a bigger part of Hazel's life.

I am reading The Fault in our Stars.
In todays reading Hazel, the narrator and main character of the story, attends her cancer support group at church. She doesn't enjoy attending, but goes each week, because she knows that it makes her parents happy. Hazel is extremely depressed and casts her cynical attitude towards everyone around her. Even though she doesn't enjoy support group, at her latest meeting she meets a new boy who is friends with her one friend in support group, Isaac. The new boys name is Augustus and he seems to give off a flirty bad boy vibe. As the support group ends, Hazl and augustus hit it off, which, I'm sure, is setting up for a blossoming relationship between them.

I read the book Fault in Our Stars, and it is a book about a teenage girl who is battling cancer. In the beginning we get to understand who Hazel Lancaster is, she is a teenage girl living with cancer who would rather stay at home and read the same book over and over then go out with friends. Although as the book goes on, Hazel meets Augustus, he completely changes her life. Augustus brings life to Hazel and she realizes that her disease does not define who she is on the inside. The two fall in love and together they discover that it is the little things in life that matter and the little things are the things that we remember the most.

I am curious how The Fault in Our Stars is different from his other books like Looking for Alaska? What do you think?

Who was your favorite character in the book? Why?

What do you think of the movie trailer? Were the characters portrayed like you think they would be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItBvH...

Augustus Waters makes his appearance in the cancer support group as a friend of Isaac, who has some sort of cancer of the eye. Hazel is immediately infatuated by this boy and soon their relationship begins to develop. He is extremely carefree and quite the jokester, even if it is "too soon" to make cancer jokes to recently gone blind Isaac. His character is different from stubborn Hazel who has accepted that she is dying and is carrying around a somber outlook on life. She is stuck in her daily routine and lacks the desire to live past her cancer. She soon learns that Augustus had previously suffered from cancer as well, but is better now. I'm curious as to whether or not his recovery from cancer is what created his "high on life" positive outlook and outgoing personality.

A question I have is what role does Augustus Waters play in this book and how does his relationship with Hazel change her?

Augustus (now Gus to Hazel) always carries a pack of cigarettes and often keeps an unlit cigarette in his mouth. What is he trying to get across by doing this?

I think through this he is demonstrating his desire to have control. There is not much one can do when they are faced with cancer and have little to no control over their bodies and the progression of the disease. However, Gus puts an unlit cigarette in his mouth to have control over something that could potentially kill him. By not lighting the cigarette he has control over a killing thing. This is in complete opposition to the cancer that once took over his body, and as a symbol as how he overcame the cancer, he likes to have power over the affects that cigarettes could have on his life.

I am reading the Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Hazel, who is the main character has cancer. Green does a great job not only showing the depressing parts about her life with cancer, but he also shows the normality that Hazel lives with. She enjoys watching America's Next Top Model and doing normal things that healthy people enjoy. Her mom is making her go to a Support Group because Hazel used to have depression and it makes her mom feel better about her condition. She goes to the support group and sees a boy named Augustus (who she thinks is very cute). They keep making eye contact throughout the session and he introduces himself after the support group meeting is over with. Augustus shows Hazel that there is more to life than just worrying. He teaches her that life is too short and she needs to live her life fully.

I've been curious as to what the meaning behind the title "The Fault in Our Stars" could mean, and I realized after reading that Green is referring to a quote from the play Julius Caesar: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” This universal idea has over time been decontextualized into something it was never intended to be. People interpret it into meaning that the fault is not in the stars but in the individual people. However, I think Green would argue this by saying that there actually is fault in our stars because the world is an unjust place with plenty of suffering. I think his goal through this novel is to illustrate that ways to live honestly and find hope in the world and not ignore the fact that there is fault and sadness in our world.

Hazel grows to like Augustus a lot more when making small talk with him after their support group session. He tells her how beautiful she is and how she looks like a character from the movie V for Vendetta. Augustus invited Hazel over to watch the movie because Hazel had never seen it before. Hazel tells Augustus all about her disease and how she is in college. Augustus wants to know more about her story and she is confused because she had just told him all about her cancer. But Augustus wanted to know more about her than just her health conditions. He even says, "Don't tell me you're one of those people who becomes their disease" (32). This made Hazel think really hard about how she only associates herself as the "cancer girl" and not for what she really enjoys to do in life. She tells him how much she loves to read and he gives her a book that he enjoys for her to read. At the end of this chapter John Green shows how much Augustus is already falling for Hazel.

Maria wrote: "Who was your favorite character in the book? Why?"

My favorite character is Gus because of his outlook on life and desire to live life in radical ways rather than just walk through it missing out on opportunities to be transformed. He changes Hazel completely from accepting that she was dying from cancer to instead, eager to explore the world, be curious, love, and invest in a relationship with Gus. It is through his optimism and persistence to make Hazel Grace happy and see the world in a new light that she is transformed. He shares his wish with her as they go on the journey together to Amsterdam to meet Hazel's favorite author, Peter Van Houten. On this trip his romantic side unfolds as he and Hazel's love story comes to a climax. It is easy to fall in love with his character because the story is told from Hazel's point of view, and she as well, is falling in love with Augustus. His easy-going, optimistic, and romantic personality makes for one of the best characters, and my personal favorite in this book!

Mary Wrote: what role does Augustus Waters play in this book and how does his relationship with Hazel change her?

I think that Augustus is in this book for a specific reason. Hazel is too busy worrying about her condition and Augustus definitely helps her get her mind off of her disease that she has. Augustus is hazels "knight in shining armor" (even though that is so cliche). He shows Hazel that there is so much more to life than her condition she is in. He wants to know the real Hazel and not what kind of cancer she has. He makes her talk about what all she enjoys in life (which nobody has ever tried to asked her this question before pre-cancer). Augustus puts more meaning into Hazel's life.

Hazel's relationship with her parents is very interesting. She and her mother have a bond over the tv series America's Next Top Model as that is all Hazel did with her life pre Augustus. However, she is careful to allow many emotions around her parents. She hates to see her dad cry, and I believe this is because she is worried that if she wasn't around anymore, her parents would fall apart. She believes that she is the alpha and omega of their suffering- I can't imagine living with this feeling. It makes complete and total sense why it would be so hard for her to see her father cry, she wants him to be okay when she is gone and does not want to be the reason behind the suffering of her parents.

Going off of what Mary said, Hazel and her parents relationship is very out of the ordinary, but attaining a normal relationship living the way Hazel does is unattainable. Nevertheless, Hazel has a sensitivity for her parents unease about her illness, but almost tries to hide it by having an apathetic and "no big deal" kind of attitude. She portrays herself to not care so she doesn't upset herself, knowing it will upset her parents. Another way she attains her "no big deal" attitude, is through her sarcasm. Hazel always throws her mother sarcastic comments, and I think she may do this to enhance her apathetic attitude.

John Green creates the idea of a third space which occurs when Hazel and Augustus talk on the phone. I think this is brilliant as it truly encompasses how powerful the two's relationship and bond is. They are each others escape and honestly, the passion behind their continual push for life. The idea of this third space where only Gus and Hazel can go when talking on the phone expresses how close they really are and have a deeper connection that most because of what brought them together. The relationship between the two has so much passion behind it because neither know when their last day will be nor when the last time they will see each other will be.

Why do you think that John Green makes Hazel the narrator of the book?

I think Green makes Hazel the narrator because it allows the readers to have a more personal perspective of each situation. Also, it allows readers to get inside Hazel's head and world, and walk through each moment with her. Furthermore, Hazel lacks full ability to community through speech, because of her weak lungs, so she relies more heavily on her words thoughts and emotions to display her feelings.

One thing that really stood out to me in this book was Hazels attitude on life. At the beginning of the novel she is depressed waiting to die, and refuses to invest her time into anyone or anything except Americas Next Top Model, despite her mothers encouragement. However, as the story develops and she meets Augustus, she begins to enjoy life again. Unlike Hazel, Augustus has a more positive view on life, and refuses to take a single moment for granted. He tells Hazel, "I decided a while ago not to deny myself the simpler pleasures of existence,” showing his desire to live life to the fullest and not take a single moment or experience for granted. This positive view on life is such a foreign idea to Hazel, but as Augustus comes into her life he introduces her to the happy things in life and gives her the desire to want to experience more in life than just America Next Top Model.

Besides the obvious romantic and sad tone within this book, Hazels sometimes sassy, yet strait forward comments, give a blunt tone to the novel. For example, when she is telling the story of how she started her period just a week before she was diagnosed with cancer she say, "Congratulations! You're a woman. Now die" (2.13). Even though the topic of cancer is obviously very morbid, Hazels blunt and sarcastic tone towards it gives the reader a hint humor. Hazel is pretty much strait forward with everyone around her, even herself. This is why she is so blunt with the topic of her cancer, because she has come to terms with the fact that cancer will most likely give her an early death, and she sees no reason to act otherwise.

It's interesting to see how each character copes with pain and grief. Hazel is a pretty upfront person but she tends to lean towards sarcasm when it comes to anything that may be uncomfortable for her emotional. However, she does shift to be more in touch with her emotions when Gus begins to play a part in her life. Gus is the jokester type who likes to make all situations lighthearted and not so serious. He is positive and does not leave behind any regrets; he uses his weaknesses, pain, and grief (cancer) to take leaps of faith and literally lives like he is dying. Neither of these ways are necessarily right or wrong but Hazel and Gus seem to work best with their difficult situations ahead of them by using these coping tactics.

Why do you think that the book "An Imperial Affliction," is Hazels favorite book and does this book have an impact on Hazels story?

The interaction that occurs between Hazel and Jackie, the curious little girl in the mall, gives a better understanding of why Hazel refuses to be social. After interaction with jackie, she thinks to herself "Any attempts to feign normal social interactions were just depressing because it was so glaringly obvious that everyone I spoke to for the rest of my life would feel awkward and self-conscious around me, except maybe kids like Jackie who just didn’t know any better." These feelings show that Hazel just feels different, and feels as though she can't connect with anyone, because she is so different. However, her lack of connection with her past peers is out shine by the connection that she finds in Augustus. Hazel easily connected with Augustus from the beginning because she never once felt judged, and knew that Augustus could relate. Furthermore, the easy connection Hazel felt with Jackie symbolizes Hazels lose of innocence taken from her by her cancer, shown through Jackie's naivety of Hazels illness.

Question: What do you think of the movie trailer? Were the characters portrayed like you think they would be?

Answer: I really liked the movie trailer! I love the actress that plays Hazel! Also, I think they did a good job portraying Hazel's character. I like how at the beginning it seems as though hazel is going to talk positivity, but then says the comment "this is the truth," and the image of her walking with her oxygen tank pops up. Also, i liked the way that they portrayed Hazel and Augustus's love for one another, because it wasn't portrayed as "a perfect love story," but was shown for what it is, dysfunctional and hard. It was still very apparent they loved one another, but it was also apparent that they each were facing something hard, and this pain could potentially push them apart.

One of my favorites quotes from this book is when Augustus asks Hazel what her story is and she begins to tell her cancer story, but Augustus interrupts her and asks "No, Whats your real story?" I love this question, because it isn't just asking her what her story is, its also telling her that her cancer isn't her story! Her cancer isn't all of her! Her cancer doesn't define her! I just love that that simple question can have such an impact. It from that very moment that Hazel begins to learn that her illness doesn't define her, and though it may hold her back, it isn't her end, because in the beginning of the novel she let her cancer become her. As Augustus teaches Hazel to love life and not live through her cancer, but through herself, Hazel's character really begins to develop.

Maria wrote: "Who was your favorite character in the book? Why?"
My favorite character is Augustus. He is hilarious and outgoing and speaks whatever is on his mind. But my favorite thing about him is the way her pursues Hazel. When he first sees her, he is blunt and honest about how he feels about her. He asks her on a date the first day they meet. And as they begin to grow closer, he falls in love with her and lets her know. Even when she tells him she does not want to be a "ticking bomb", he still tries his hardest to make her want to be with him. He reads her favorite book and becomes intrigued with it for her. They have witty conversations that shows just how in love they are. He does not treat her like a dying cancer patient, he treats her like a normal girl, besides the fact that he is in love with her. When he uses his only wish on her dream, it is the turning point for her. Once they are in Amsterdam and they have realized the person they wanted to meet is not worth their time, they grow a deeper connection and she starts falling in love with him, and she allows him to know. I also love how cocky he is. He is vain. He is quite aware of his own physical attractiveness. He talks about how no girl could resist his "hot bod". The last thing i love is the way he looks at life. He uses cigerattes as a metaphor for his life and how he chooses not to die.

My favorite character is Augustus, too. I think his personality definitely draws you in as does the way he pursues Hazel, but something else that stood out to me was his first impression. His first impression was so different from what you would expect. He's introduced in such a way at the church group that I felt like I knew I would like him, but not for the reasons I ended up liking him for. Another characteristic of Augustus that I absolutely loved was his relationship with Isaac. Isaac brings out different qualities in Augustus than you see with any of his other relationships. You not only get to see him act like the immature teenage boy that he holds inside, but you get to see the most affectionate and respectful kind of friend that he is. When Isaac had his breakdown that hazel happened to witness after his breakup, I was laughing in one paragraph and then on the verge of tears in the next because of how real this situation is and how real the guys handled it. By the end of the book I was waiting for my Augustus Waters to show up, as I'm sure y'all were too.

Claire wrote: "One thing that really stood out to me in this book was Hazels attitude on life. At the beginning of the novel she is depressed waiting to die, and refuses to invest her time into anyone or anything..."

I've thought about this too Claire! My thoughts on it were that this was one of the many ways Green wanted us to relate to Hazel. Throughout the book there are many times where I found myself being very thankful for what I have almost like her story gave me perspective. But in the overview of Hazel's transformation from resentful and depressed to vibrant and enjoyable made me subconsciously feel like if she could feel that way I can make the best of my situations, too. Not just like "well if a cancer patient can be happy with that life so I can be happy with mine," but more like a young teenage girl (although fictional) made a transformation in her heart I t he midst of such a chaotic, roller-coaster life of emotions is inspiring in many ways. Just a few of my thoughts :)

Maria wrote: "What do you think of the movie trailer? Were the characters portrayed like you think they would be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItBvH..."

I watched the trailer and I got the exciting feeling the book gives you all over again. When looking at the cast, to be honest, I was not super impressed. I knew they were good actors, but I didn't know how the story would pan out with the cast chosen. I feel like my vision of Gus was different from the guy in the movie, but oddly it wasn't a bad different...just different. When watching the trailer you can tell that the emotion is still kept, which in my opinion is one of the most important aspects when shifting from paper tot he screen. I think when I see the movie I'll experience it all over again, and I have a feeling that I'll like it even better the second time.

One of my favorite parts is the discussion and reoccurrence of the term "infinity." The thought of infinity aside from this book is a scary and almost forgotten idea because of the fear of the concept of forever. Obviously, when hazel and Gus refer to infinity it has a positive connotation. It's like throwing the concept of love into something as scary and certain as infinity then it suddenly turns into hope. When they refer to their "small infinity" something about the time limit and heightened intensity of their time together becomes much sweeter.

What do you think about the juxtaposition of the "small infinity"? Do you think it adds or takes away from the relationship? In what way?

Claire wrote: "Why do you think that the book "An Imperial Affliction," is Hazels favorite book and does this book have an impact on Hazels story?"
I think it is her favorite boo because she can relate to it in a way. She hates the idea of a typical cancer patient story. She never wants to sugar coat what's happening to her. And from what we get in the book, that's how the main character in "An Imperial Affliction" feels. This book also gives her an outlet to life. It impacts her story because it helps bring her and Augustus together even more. When she suggests the book to him, he actually reads it and they are able to interpret it together. And this book is what leads them to Amsterdam, which is where their romantic relationship truly starts.

As i said before that Hazel wanted to feel normal and Augustus made her feel this way. He never did question her about her health or anything. He made he feel as if she were normal. She went to the mall with her friend Kaitlyn and she had to be careful as to what she would say. She accidentally made a comment about how she would die if she wrote heels that high and she automatically felt guilty for saying that comment. Hazel enjoys the company of people that can be comfortable around her and her condition. This is why Augustus is the right person for her to be around being that he is going through some of the same issues as Hazel and he is very relatable when they talk with each other.

I thought the parents of Augustus were also very significant. When she went into Augustus' house they never asked her about her certain condition they just wanted to know more about her. They all had encouraging letters all around the house to help Augustus keep his hopes up. This is in a way the opposite of Hazel's household. Hazel's mother was constantly worried about her condition and was the topic of every conversation. She made her go to therapy session and did whatever she could to make sure Hazel was ok. (which was very good) but Hazel just wanted to get away sometimes and talking about her situation all the time did not help when she was at home. That is why being with Augustus I think really did help her state of being.

Maria wrote: "What do you think of the movie trailer? Were the characters portrayed like you think they would be?

I actually do think that the movie trailer portrays the character's and the plot line very well. I think Hazel's actress portrays her in a great way. It shows how she is awkward and the love she has for Augustus. When watching the trailer it made me so excited to see the movie that comes out in June. It has a rollercoster of emotions in just that small period of time. I think it will be a very life changing movie just as it has been as I have read it. This movie just seems to have a real outlook on how life really is and does not have the perfect happy ending.

I think it is interesting how Hazel's parents have been played a different role in her life. Before Hazel had been talking/dating Augustus her parents really wanted her to have a normal life. They wanted her to go out and have fun with her best friends on the weekend, go on dates, or just be out of the house. Instead she chose to read books and be at home. But after Gus comes in her life she enjoys living her life. Her mom has more of a protective side making sure she is very careful, while her dad wants her to life her life like there is no tomorrow.

Do you think that "Hazel Grace" has a significant meaning?

I am going to answer my own question and I do think that Hazel Grace's name a symbolic/ significant meaning behind it. Grace is defined as the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. I think that a lot of things are making Hazel "free". The main reason that she is mostly free is because of Augustus. He is making her feel so much more special than she had been feeling before she met him. She used to just feel like the "cancer patient" and that was her whole life story right there. But Augustus told her that is not her story and she is so much more than a girl who has cancer.

The Fault in our Stars definitely taught me that life is not fair. If you are looking for a happy book I would not suggest reading this. But it shows the reality of what can happen to people and not the fairy tail ending that everyone is so used to hearing all the time. Even if your days are numbered Hazel taught me to life it to my fullest. So if something does not go my way I should not pout about it but it is just in God's plan and his plan is always the right way.

Claire wrote: "Why do you think that John Green makes Hazel the narrator of the book?"

I think John Green chooses Hazel to be the narrator so we can see every little thing that she goes through. I think it is really interesting seeing her side of things when she is in the hospital or in pain. We are with her each step of the way. Also, when she is around certain people like Augustus you can really tell she is happiest. But when she is around her "best friend" Kaitlin you can tell she is a little annoyed.

I thought The Fault in Our Stars was an extremely average book hahaha

I love how the author uses little things to have big meanings. Like Hazels old swing set. Augustus comes over as she is in a hard time and helps her through it, through the swing set. It just helps demonstrate how much he cares about her

Kenzie wrote: "Maria wrote: "What do you think of the movie trailer? Were the characters portrayed like you think they would be?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItBvH..."

I watched the trailer and I got th..."

I agree with Kenzie. I think that they did a good job with portraying the characters well in the movie the way someone reading the book would imagine them to be. I also listened to the soundtrack, and I think that the music is very well suited to the mood and tone of the story. There's a lot of inspirational choices, and some sad ones about losing love, and finding it again which pertains to what the story is all about. It's about finding love and cherishing it because we don't always know how long we have with someone until it's too late.