What have you done today? If this was your last day to live, would you have done the same things?

The Fault in Our Stars covers the relationship of a teenage couple who struggles with cancer. Hazel, the terminal patient, and her boyfriend Augustus, who begins as a recovered cancer victim, both have very unique views on their day-to-day life due to the urgency they face. They highlight some values that often get incredibly lost in our culture. They show the importance of time, interest, and love.

On Death Row

Hazel has suffered from her cancer for a long time. For almost as long a time, she has been terminal from cancer. This has caused her to go into a deep depression. She dislikes going anywhere, has trouble eating, and reads the same books over and over again. She feels purposeless, thinking there is not enough time to make a difference and so it would be ridiculous to try.

Many people find it very easy to waste their time. They do not think of this as a resource to pull from. However, the opposite of this is true. It is one of the most valuable things we have and one of the most taken for granted. What should be seen as valuable in every drop is seen as only holding value in large quantities. While we may not have the same urgency as Hazel and Augustus, every second is important. We should not let them slip away.

Obsession vs. Passion

Hazel is devoted to the book An Imperial Affliction. It covers a girl’s story who suffers from a similar plight as Hazel. The girl also has cancer and she feels great similarities between this girl and herself. She reads the book over and over again. When her and Augustus decide to share their favorite books with each other, this is her immediate choice. She is delighted to talk about the controversial ending with him and makes it a favorite topic of conversation.

Hazel’s greatest desire is to go meet the author of the book. This seems to be an impossible dream because the author is somewhat of a recluse and lives in Amsterdam. However, the magical Augustus Waters has the idea to use his Wish to get Hazel to her dream meeting with the author. They enjoy a short but beautiful trip to the Netherlands. Sadly, the author turns out to be rude and antisocial. However, they still manage to have a memorable time together.

Was Hazel’s delight with the book too much? Or was it merely a healthy interest of hers? It is always important to weigh the costs of a choice such as an expensive trip. I would venture to suggest that Hazel had a short life ahead of her. She had very few true interests that she was able to maintain. This adventure also allowed her the opportunity to experience a culture that she may never receive again. With this in mind, I think her obsession did not go too far. Sometimes the line between obsession and passion is blurred and it is hard to see which side you are on.

True Love

“Love sacrifices all things to bless the thing it loves.”

Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Hazel and Augustus display a love that is heavily against what our teenage culture tries to impress on their members. They both suffer from extreme health difficulties that require a lot of time and flexibility. Never do they allow even a moment of complaint. They serve each other whenever needed. They also have some mental barriers built up, another curse of the death hanging over their heads. And yet, they are patient and understanding to each other no matter what.

What is probably the pinnacle of their sacrificial love can be seen in the time leading up to Augustus’ sorrowful death. Hazel has to be under immense mental strain during this time. She is familiar and waiting for death to come and take her. Watching it in another young person, especially so young, is a terrible reminder of what will become of her. It is always hard to watch someone deteriorate. And yet, she continues to serve him and show him affection to the end, staying with him every day as the time approached.

Love is sacrifice. It is not a feeling, not butterflies in the stomach. The way this is outlined in this story is so impactful. It is so refreshing after America’s cookie-cutter romances and pointless dramas. The choice to give when you have nothing left, to empty yourself so another can fill is both courageous and powerful. This couple should inspire us to make that choice every single day for those around us.

The value of time, passion, and love are all evidenced in this story. It is eye-opening to use the perspective of not having those things to see this. You may have many years on this planet. You may have very few. But you should be using those years wisely no matter what. Working hard, resting well, and growing relationships with those around you should all find their place. Do not forget to smell the roses while it is spring.