American Literature
Mrs. Clark - pd. E
8/16/14
The Fault in Our Stars
By: John Green
How do relationships between peers affect us? Hazel’s peers in her youth group, Augustus and Isaac, are both experiencing similar diseases and emotions. Peers and friends, experiencing the same things, like Augustus and Isaac are such a safe haven for Hazel in times where she is so set on making her situation as pain free for her parents as possible, that she pushes them away, contrary to filling the time she has left with them with love and joy. In these times her peers and friends become essential, and in time they come to rely on each other as their own little family. Hazel says, “I tried to tell myself it could be worse, that the world …show more content…
In The Fault in Our Stars the emotional effects of relationships play a huge part in Hazel and Augustus’ emotions. Some might say they are both deeply and unconditionally in love, but others might say that they aren’t really in love at all, that they are just desperate to find love and wanting to experience it while they are still here. Along with the fact that they might be desperate they may just be looking for someone that knows exactly what the other person is going through and feeling. Personally, I believe that they have met their match, that they are in love unconditionally. Augustus tells Hazel, “You realize that trying to keep your distance from me will not lesson my affections for you”(122). This quote shows that Augustus is willing to fight for Hazel. This love has a huge effect on Hazel and Augustus as the book goes on. Hazel says, “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once”(124-125). This quote represents that fact the Hazel is willing to let go and that she can’t fight the love she has for him. The fact that Augustus is slipping through her fingers, getting sicker and sicker, when there’s nothing she can do about it effects Hazel enormously. Augustus is also troubled many times throughout the book, when there’s something Hazel has trouble with or is restricting for her. One example of this would be the journey up the stairs of the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, he is frustrated that he can not do anything to help her and that puts a toll on his emotions. There are many things in their relationship that effects both of them emotionally, but it is worth while for them, because their love is unconditional. Augustus says, “Pain demands to be felt”(57). This quote is from Hazel’s favorite book, An Imperial Affliction, but this quote also represents most of Augustus and Hazel’s relationship, they are going to feel pain, but you must go through it to understand