The Role of Love and Sacrifice in The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012)

Expanding the Roles:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a contemporary young adult novel that tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a teenager battling cancer, and her relationship with Augustus Waters, another cancer patient. The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, mortality, and the meaning of life in the face of illness. For literature students, The Fault in Our Stars provides an emotional and thought-provoking exploration of how young people confront mortality and find meaning in their lives, even when faced with terminal illness.

• Love in the Face of Mortality:
  The love story between Hazel and Augustus is central to the novel and provides an exploration of how love transcends the fear of death. Literature students can explore how Green uses love as a means for characters to cope with their terminal illnesses and find meaning in their lives despite their limited time.

• Sacrifice and Personal Growth:
  The novel examines the sacrifices that Hazel and Augustus make for each other and for their families. Students can analyze how the characters’ experiences with illness lead to personal growth, and how their relationships with each other are shaped by their awareness of mortality.

What We Learn:
The Fault in Our Stars teaches literature students about love, loss, and sacrifice in the face of terminal illness. The novel provides valuable lessons on how relationships and the awareness of mortality shape the way people live and find meaning in their lives.