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At a Glance:
Full Title The Fault In Our Stars
AuthorJohn Green
In-depth Facts:
Type of WorkNovel
GenreYoung Adult
LanguageEnglish
Time and Place Written2002-2012; America and Amsterdam
Date of First Publication2012
PublisherDutton Books
NarratorHazel Grace Lancaster
Point of ViewHazel narrates the story in the first person, giving the reader access to her thoughts but also limiting the reader’s perspective to what she sees.
ToneThe tone is generally direct, as Hazel tells her story in a straightforward manner, but is also often introspective and philosophical as Hazel considers existential questions.
TensePast tense, with the exception of the last sentence.
Setting (Time)The year is never explicitly mentioned, but based on context clues such as physical setting and technology the story takes place presumably anytime between 2008 and 2012.
Setting (Place)Indianapolis and Amsterdam
ProtagonistHazel Grace Lancaster
Major ConflictHazel struggles to figure out how to live her life and find meaning in it as first she and then more urgently boy she loves face terminal cancer.
Rising ActionHazel meets Augustus Waters and quickly falls in love with him as they bond and travel to Amsterdam, but soon they discover that Augustus’s cancer has returned.
ClimaxHazel rushes to the gas station where Augustus, his health badly deteriorated, finds himself stuck and helpless.
Falling ActionAugustus passes away, and Hazel realizes that as much as the pain of losing Augustus hurts, she still thinks the pain was worth it.
ThemesThe Necessity of Suffering; Fear of Oblivion; The Insensitivity of the Universe; The Realities of Terminal Cancer; The Importance of Fiction
MotifsDrowning; Metaphors; Existentialism
SymbolsWater; Augustus’s cigarettes; Grenade; An Imperial Affliction
ForeshadowingAugustus begins writing to Van Houten; Augustus frequently sacrifices himself in the video games he plays; Augustus argues with his parents before leaving on the trip to Amsterdam.
