The Fault in Our Stars Chapters 6-10 Flashcards

Character Relationships

• Hazel's first best friend is her mom; her second best friend is Augustus Waters (AW).
• Unlike her mom, Hazel and her dad have a vague understanding of cancer.

Personal Background

• Augustus played basketball at North Central.
• Kaitlin and Derek broke up due to perceived incompatibility; a concept described as "preemptive dumping."
• It took Kaitlin approximately 40 minutes to get over Derek, equated to a sleeve of Girl Scout thin mints.

Physical Characteristics

• Hazel has green eyes, while Caroline has brown eyes and darker skin.
• Hazel identifies herself as a "professional sick person."

Pain and Health

• Pain is described as a blunt and nonspecific diagnostic tool.
• Hazel experiences headaches due to poor oxygenation from fluid buildup in her lungs, which has since been drained.
• Bipap is a device that forces air into her lungs; she spent six days in the hospital.

Emotional and Philosophical Insights

• Hazel perceives herself as a grenade, aiming to minimize the emotional damage to others.
• She expresses a desire to spare Augustus from her medical issues, highlighting her internal conflict.
• Augustus refers to Caroline as "hulk smash," indicating a lighthearted but complex relationship dynamic.

Literature and Life Reflections

• Hazel longs to visit Amsterdam and discover the ending of a book, reflecting her dissatisfaction with life.
• She likens falling in love to the gradual process of falling asleep: slowly, then all at once.
• Augustus philosophizes on love and existence, acknowledging that oblivion is inevitable.

Social Dynamics

• The dynamic between Hazel and Augustus deepens; he is drawn to her authenticity, while they share mutual interests such as enjoying video games.
• Isaac, another character, lives in a ranch home; Hazel is careful to avoid emotional dependency on him.

Daily Life and Experiences

• Hazel is critical of early meals, likening herself to a peasant fortifying for work.
• She finds normal household aspects, such as the appearance of houses, to be deceptively tranquil, contrasting with the chaos of life inside.

Symbolism and Themes

• The "swing set" becomes a metaphor for Hazel's emotional struggles; it represents nostalgia for normalcy.
• Augustus’s eccentricities, like his thoughts about scrambled eggs being special, reveal deeper themes of identity and meaning.

Major Events

• Hazel's significant interactions with Augustus mark pivotal moments in her emotional journey.
• The mention of a "big cancer team meeting" underscores the collaborative nature of her medical care.

Personal Items and Memories

• Hazel's stuffed animal is named Bluie, serving as a symbol of her childhood and innocence amidst her struggles.
• She recalls specific memories, such as wearing a black cardigan to the airport, projecting a sense of identity and comfort.

Understanding and Acceptance

• Hazel grapples with understanding love, loss, and the nature of relationships as she navigates her illness.
• The introspective dialogue about life and death highlights the profound connections formed in shared experiences.

Conclusion

• Hazel's journey encompasses themes of love, mortality, and the search for meaning within the constraints of illness, creating a rich tapestry of teenage experience against a backdrop of cancer.