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Chapter 8
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Fault in Our Stars, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Coming of Age
Life and Death
Family
Being Different
Religion and Philosophy
Summary
Analysis
The day before leaving for Amsterdam, Hazel goes to support group for the first time since she met Augustus. She finds out that one of the group members had passed away. Another member had successfully completed radiation, and a third had “relapsed”. Just then, Isaac enters, being led by his mother. Hazel says hi, and tells him about Amsterdam. Isaac says he knows all of the details because she is the only thing Augustus ever talks about.
The outcomes of the different group members show the challenges and tragedies faced by these young people on a daily basis. It's only been a short time since Hazel went to the support group last, but a lot has happened among the members. Isaac’s arrival with his mother shows his new dependence now that he is blind, and the loss of Monica. Hazel also gets another glimpse of how much Augustus cares for her here.
Themes
Patrick starts the group. Hazel zones out as they go around until one of the group members, Lida, says Hazel’s name. She says that Hazel is such an inspiration to her because she just continues fighting her cancer. Hazel replies by saying that she would trade her strength for Lida’s remission any day. After the group, Lida apologizes, and Hazel tells her it is really fine. Isaac invites Hazel over to his house as she walks him by the arm to the elevator. She feels sorry for him, which she hates, but can’t help felling it.
Although Lida’s comment is meant to commend Hazel, it works to set Hazel apart from other people. Hazel dislikes clichés about sick people being stronger or braver than healthy people, so she takes offense to Lida’s compliment. Immediately afterward, however, she feels bad for Isaac, showing the way in which she sets herself apart from him.
Themes
They play a video game in which the characters are controlled by voice command. Isaac says that Augustus is tough to play with because he is completely suicidal when it comes to saving civilians in the game. As they play, Isaac’s little brother comes in and imitates Isaac’s voice, commanding his character to kill himself in the game. Isaac tells his brother he is going to kick his ass, so his brother runs off laughing. In the game, they come across a prisoner begging for his life. Isaac says that this is where Augustus always goes wrong by insisting on saving the prisoner. Isaac asks if Hazel wants to hook up with Augustus. She says its complicated, to which Isaac replies he understands that she does not want to “Monica” Augustus by leaving him. Hazel tells Isaac that what he did to Monica by going blind was not nice. Isaac defends himself by saying it wasn’t his fault, but Hazel tells him it was not his fault, but it still wasn't nice.
When Augustus plays the game, it is more important to act bravely and save the hostages than win the game, speaking to his philosophy that heroics will allow him to live on after death. Isaac’s brother finds Isaac’s threats funny because he knows Isaac is unable to follow through with it. His brother’s actions show the way in which family does not always think about the way their actions will affect their sick family members, yet at the same time this is an example of two kids teasing each other in a normal way. Hazel’s joke about Isaac going blind on Monica nonetheless speaks to the way she perceives her own health in relation to Augustus. The fact that she is not in control of her health doesn't mean it won’t hurt Augustus, and she believes it is her duty to protect him from that pain.
Themes
