Poignant and Snarky

John Green's writing style is both snarky and disarmingly poignant. The characters in this novel, Hazel, Augustus, Isaac, are just like any other teenager, except they have cancer. They go through daily life and have the same aptitude for sarcastic comments as anyone else. But in their cases, they suffer through something so tremendous that this witty and snarky atmosphere is pierced with moments of heartbreaking sincerity, when the reader truly realizes how great their struggle is. Cancer has developed moments of complete honesty in these teens where they discover profound truths about both life and death.

Cancer Perks

Throughout the book, both Hazel and Augustus reference 'cancer perks'- the items they've received in sympathy for their struggles with cancer. Signed basketballs, concert tickets, anything they wanted. They both even get a Wish, and Augustus uses his Wish to fly himself and Hazel to meet Peter van Houten. When the arrive, however, van Houten doesn't give them the answers the ask for and treats them in a rude and derogatory manner. The book he wrote, An Imperial Affliction, really struck a chord with Hazel, and she spent so much of her time pondering the outcomes of the character, and he won't tell her. In the end, the visit doesn't give her what she was searching for. The cancer perks- the gifts, the Wishes, they don't give the characters what they really want.

Take the Wheel

When Augustus first meets Hazel he has control in the relationship. Hazel likes him and he knows it, so he takes advantage of the situation and drives her to his house. Augustus drives the car, despite his crippling condition, metaphorically making him in charge of the situation. Augustus and Hazel bond at his house, and he begins to show how much he likes her, shifting the power balance in their relationship. After they watch the movie and Hazel has to leave, Hazel drives Augustus' car. This is interesting because it shows the way Hazel is now in control of the future of their relationship.

By Brianna and Harris

Underground Paradise

One of the most important locations in the novel is Augustus' basement. The first time we hear about the basement is when Augustus first brings Hazel to his house. His parents tell him he can't watch a movie down there with her but he still is persistent in wanting to let her see it. Augustus sees the basement as an escape from his' parents and their 'encouragements.' This is interesting because while the basement is an escape for Augustus from the hardships of his life, the walls are lined with his cancer perks, serving as a reminder of his illness. Augustus never really gets to escape the pain of his life, and embraces it, proved his commitment to always having a cigarette in his mouth.

By Brianna and Harris

Melancholy to the Max

This book is an extremely sad story. There is no way to argue for or against that fact because it is just that, a fact. However one thing that distinguishes the story of this novel from that of others is its raw approach. Green, unlike many other authors, explores the depth of the pain these characters feel not through internal action, but through external reaction to events in their lives. Most of the characters in the novel are cancer patients, and they obviously have sad stories, but Green fails to make them romantically sad beings, he does something truly unique. Green portrays these characters as 'normal' people, not feeble and sad beings. This perspective is truly captured by the passage later referred to as the "Night of the Broken Trophies." The events of this night happen because Isaac, one of the member of Hazel's teen cancer support group, has been broken up with by his girlfriend, in an effort by her to preempt any heartbreak she will cause him later. The scene is heart wrenching and not for the reasons one would think. A typical author would have made this scene exceptionally tragic by having Isaac talk about his feelings, about why he felt betrayed and what not, but Green crafts the scene in a way that makes the reader think for Isaac in a way, becuase they are forced to attempt to sympathize with his situation, something that eventually just makes the reader miserable because they realize their own pain cannot match that of these poor victims.

The contrast between Augustus and Hazel

The contrast between Augustus and Hazel: Augustus is healthy in the novel for the most part and can function enough to continue his life and go to school. Hazel has been out of school for three years and has very little for friends.  Even though Hazel suffers an incident because of her cancer, Augustus and Hazel stick by each others side. The other primary difference is that Hazel is struggling with her cancer surviving basically because of a miracle drug, and Augustus for the most has survived the battle with cancer.  Their personalities are very different; while Hazel is relatively isolated due to her cancer, Augustus is extroverted and socializes with his friends. Despite these huge differences, Augustus and Hazel have a relationship, travel together, and comfort each other.

Ironically the Heart of Jesus

Hazel attends a support group at a local church. The location the support group meets is referred to as "the heart of jesus". The support group meeting in the heart of jesus is ironic, because jesus/god would never let something as horrible as cancer take/affect a person's life. Maybe John Green was trying to draw attention to the fact that those people were all so close to death yet they are still alive. Similar to how Jesus, "avoided death" by dying then being resurrected.