In a world that is currently consumed by everything John Green, it is impossible to write just one post on The Fault in Our Stars.
TFIOS hit theaters June 6th and is set to break records worldwide. But, more than the number of tickets the movie will sell this weekend, it’s the souls it will touch with an intricate story of love and loss.
Chances are, that like me, you’ve experienced the kind of loss that makes you question love and life. Green tries to provide some kind of comfort to losing at a young age, by putting forth the idea of different infinities.
Quote from John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars
And, even though this is fact, it’s still so hard to accept. In this critique of TFIOS (the movie), the writer states,
“And just to put a cherry on top, she gets a reminder that even when you do know what causes a wonderful person to die young, the reason doesn’t usually help much. “
The “she” in this sentence is Hazel Grace, but, really, it can be anyone. It can be me, you, your best friend or neighbor. Anyone who has lost a parent, a friend, a sibling, or a significant other, knows that you look for reasons. You want to know why. Why him? Why her? Why me? Why now?
For me, finding answers did nothing to help me get through losing a mom. Instead I tried (read: still try) my best to find my reason.
Because like the Slate article explains of a discussion between Hazel and Isaac, her friend who is about to undergo surgery that will leave him blind and was dumped by a girlfriend who couldn’t handle this: ” “To be fair,” says Hazel, “she probably can’t handle it. Neither can you, but she doesn’t have to handle it. And you do.”
“Some people have to handle it and some people don’t.” I guess it’s a matter of how you want to handle it.
Thoughts?
Photo found here
The part with Hazel and Isaac reminds me of my partner and I. My partner’s father died in September, which turned both of our lives upside down. But, while his life would be upside down no matter what, my life was only turned upside down because because I was dating my partner. It would have been far easier for me to just walk away. But there’s no way my consciousness would have let me do that to him. I loved him (I still do) and he was hurting. He needed more support than he ever had before and he didn’t deserve more pain. Because of my experience, I easily empathized with Isaac and, while I agree with Hazel, I can’t help but think that Isaac’s girlfriend deserved worse than just having her car egged.
Author
I completely agree with you. I think that in these times of need it’s especially important to stay close to those who have lost. TFIOS did a really good job at showing how friendship and companionship is important at any stage of your life.