The Fault in Our Stars: Chapter 24 Summary & Analysis

Three days later, on the eleventh day AG (after Gus), Augustus’ father calls Hazel. He leaves a voicemail telling Hazel he found a moleskin notebook in the magazine rack next to his hospital bed. Unfortunately, he says there is no writing in the book, but there are a few pages torn out. He says she is in their prayers, and the message ends.

Hazel tries to think of where he would leave the pages. She thinks maybe they are in the Literal Heart of Jesus, so she goes to support group early. She picks up Isaac and they listen to a band The Hectic Glow on the way to the group. Hazel realizes Augustus will never hear their new album. She looks everywhere in the Literal Heart of Jesus for the writing, but finds nothing.

When the group starts, Patrick asks Hazel if she would like to share anything about Augustus. She says she wishes she would just die, and asks Patrick if he ever feels that way. He says that sometimes he does, and asks Hazel why she doesn't die. Her stock answer was that she stayed alive because she didn't want to hurt her parents, but she realizes this answer isn’t exactly true anymore. She says she doesn't know. She begins thinking about the universe wanting to be noticed, and that she owes a debt to it that she could only repay with her attention. She also realizes that she owes a debt to everyone who no longer gets to be a person, or who hasn’t been born yet.

When Hazel gets home from the support group she argues with her mother about eating. Mrs. Lancaster says she can’t just stop eating because Augustus died. She tries to walk away, but her mother grabs her, telling her she needs to eat to stay healthy. Hazel lashes back, saying that she is not healthy, and she is dying. She tells her mother she is going to leave her alone in the world and there is nothing she can do about it. Her mother realizes that Hazel heard her say that to Mr. Lancaster in the hospital. She apologizes and tells Hazel that even when she dies she will still be her mother. She asks Hazel if she has stopped loving Augustus since he died. Hazel shakes her head no.

The conversation continues and Hazel tells them that she is worried that her parents will not have a life after she dies. Her mother tells her that she is studying to be a social worker; she wants to counsel families dealing with cancer. Hazel thinks it is a great idea. She begins crying, and thinks of Anna’s mom. Later, while watching television as a family, Hazel asks if they will stay together after she dies. They swear to God they will stay together.