Vocab
Derived from Greek, meaning tragedy or fatal flaw
Hamartia
The Swing Set
Childhood innocence; Better days; Loss of innocence
"I fear oblivion." (p 12)
Fear of the Unknown; Mortality/Death, what is beyond?
"I fear it is like the proverbial blind man whos afraid of the dark." "Too soon," isaac said, cracking a smile. "Was that insensitive?" Augustus asked. "I can be pretty blind to other people's feelings." (p 12)
Gallows Humour- A dark type of humor, often inappropriately timed
The church, "Literal Heart of Jesus" (where support group meets) is an ironic meeting place because __________________________.
It is meant to inspire hope, and uplift, yet the teens discuss their pain, death and illness.
Sobriquet (p 64)
A nickname, or commonly known by name
Video games for Augustus (ch. 4)
His philosophy on life; Would sacrifice himself if it means saving someone else
"Of course, like all interrogations of the universe, this line of inquiry inevitably reduces us to asking what it means to be human and whether...there is a point to it all." (p 68)
Existentialism; Meaning and Legacy
Poignant (p 122)
Sense of emotion (bittersweet) Sweet, moving, emotional
Hazel attends the 'Circle of Trust' because _________
Augustus attends the 'Circle of Trust' because _________
Her parents worry about her patterns of isolation and potential depression.
He wants to support his friend Isaac.
Existential/Existentialist (p 109)
Questions meaning, purpose, and freedoms of life. As Hazel says..."What is this life?" (p 78)
Reminder of how healthy children can be free with their bodies; Pervasive presence of death in everyday life
"This Support Group featured a rotating cast of characters in various states of tumor-driven unwellness. Why did the cast rotate? A side effect of dying." (p 4)
Living with Terminal Illness; Death
In chapter 5, Hazel and Augustus stay up late talking about AIA. Hazel reads a poem by _______________ which inspired AIA's title. The poem was titled "There's A Certain Slant of Light".
Emily Dickinson
Hazel's voice is evident throughout the chapters. Identify a quote that helps the reader really 'hear' her voice (Syntax, diction, or tone example)
Run-on: pg 54-55
Tone: support group cast rotated..."A side effect of dying" (p 4) Blunt, stark, deadpan humour, sardonic (cynical humour)
Diction: Avoids euphemisms, is more direct: "dying"
Bereft (p 58)
Extremely saddened or emotionally deprived
AIA (An Imperial Affliction)
Symbol for Hazel's coping and wanting an answer for her own condition (she can't stand that it ends mid-sentence).
"The cigarette dangled unlit from the unsmiling corner of his mouth" (p 19)
Control Vs Fate
"I returned to the book, where Staff Sergeant Max Mayhem was regretting that he had but one life to give for his country..." (p 47)
Nathan Hale (BONUS 100 PTS IF ADDED: A soldier and a spy for the Americans during the Revolutionary War. He was captured by the British while on a mission to gather intelligence and was executed by hanging in 1776 at the age of 21.)
A recurring image, symbol or idea in a text that highlights or helps develop a theme
Hazel's friend is described as being a __________
Socialite
The Price of Dawn
Recommended by Augustus, it feels unending, yet comforting in nature. It brings Hazel a sense of ease.
"I woke up in the ICU. I could tell I was in the ICU because I didn't have my own room, and because there was so much beeping, and becaise I was alone: They don't let your family staty with you 24/7 in the ICU at Children's because it's an infection risk." (p 106)
Isolation; Living with Terminal Illness
"...that made his eyes (both the real one and the glass one) preternaturally huge, like his whole head was basically just this fake eye and this real eye staring at you." (p 6)
Something out of the ordinary or 'natural'; Weird, supernatural, or bizarre
Text example(s) of 'drowning' motif
Epigraph- water rising and taking everything with it
Swing set- "drowning" being sunken into the ground
ICU medical admittance- Hazel's lunch filled with fluid
Oxygen tank- Being required for Hazel to breathe (mimics drowning)
Drowning in fear and guilt- Doesn't want Augustus to think she's using him for a trip to Amsterdam
THEME: In times of struggle, moments of connection and love can allow us to find meaning to overcome obstacles.