Conflict

Hazel vs. Peter Van Houten
 * Man vs. Man **

Hazel lives by the book //An Imperial Affliction//; it is her bible. When given the opportunity to meet the author, whom she considers one of her best friends, Hazel jumps at the chance. Van Houten had promised Hazel answers to her questions about the wellbeing of the other characters in the novel once it ends. However, he turns out to be a rude, pathetic old man who refuses to talk about it. They have a small quarrel where they disagree about whether an author has an obligation to imagine a life for his fictional characters outside of the book. Hazel really connected with the character Anna in the book //AIA//. Both wanted to leave a small mark, but both felt betrayed by the author. She does not know how to treat Van Houten. She can continue to respect the man, or reassess everything she previously believed about him. This battle between them adds to both of their characters. Hazel childishly demanding answers from him, a reminder that she is still young and frustrated. Van Houten, in his responses to her, seems like a jerk, but he still mourns his daughter’s death and in his pain pushes back at Hazel’s questions. Both are fiery and butt heads easily, however, and this conflict sets the stage for the amicable ending.

Hazel vs. Cancer
 * Man vs. Nature **

Hazel has been living with cancer for three to four years. She was pulled out of high school and lives a secluded life, filled with doctor’s appointments, Support Group meetings, and the constant reminder of her sickness (ie her oxygen tank). No matter what Hazel might say, she is still aware of the cancer and the inevitableness of her short life. While she has adapted to her situation and has techniques for coping, like watching America’s Next Top Model constantly, cancer is always looming over her. When she was at the park watching little kids play on the sculpture, she silently yearned for those days when she could run around, fall down, and be able to jump back up and continue. Hazel can fight the cancer all she wants, but she is basically fighting herself. However, her cancer is the basis of the entire book. Without it, she would never have gone to Support Group, met Augustus, or related as much to Anna in //AIA//, another side effect. This is battle she is definitely losing, but can always live through as much as she can.

Hazel vs. Labeling
 * Man vs. Society **

Scrambled eggs are a breakfast food. Everyone knows that. Even if they are eaten at night, people will say they are having “breakfast for dinner.” They are special, and slightly segregated, just because they are eggs, and uphold a long-time tradition of being “breakfast food.” This bothers Hazel Grace to no end because she believes that something is not special and rare simply because others say it is so. Comparing Hazel to the small analogy, she is like those scrambled eggs. She obviously looks sick thanks to the oxygen tank she totes around everywhere. People consider her “special” because of her cancer, even granting her “cancer perks” like signed celebrity memorabilia. While she has accepted the isolation that comes with disease, it still concerns her that she will forever be labeled “special” and only remembered like that; as her cancer self. When someone sees a cancer kid, they automatically stereotype them and usually treat them differently. She will forever be remembered as “Hazel Grace: the cancer kid,” like how scrambled eggs are known mainly as “breakfast food.” Hazel struggles with the fact that she will never truly be a part of society, living a normal life and being able to just run around smelling the flowers.

Hazel vs. Grenade Feelings
 * Man vs. Self **

Hazel Grace finds conflict in herself, not merely because of the cancer, but how her living affects everyone. She believes that she is a grenade, ready to explode (i.e. die) at any moment and she refuses to get close enough to anyone. Hazel believes that the fewer people she hurts, the less of a mark she will leave—something she is obsessed with. When Augustus begins hanging out with Hazel, she does not want to get close to him, much less fall in love. However, he makes her feel things she never imagined and, knowing that he is healthy and most likely healed for life, makes it even harder for her to open up to him. In the book, Hazel must learn to come to terms with her feelings and decide whether she wants to take the risk of loving Augustus and hurting yet another person when she dies.


 * Works Cited **

Erin. //Peter Van Houten. //2012. Pencil. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Erin. //<span style="font-family: Constantia,serif;">Cancer Puppet. //<span style="font-family: Constantia,serif;">2012. Pencil. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Erin. //<span style="font-family: Constantia,serif;">Breakfast Food. //<span style="font-family: Constantia,serif;">2012. Pencil. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Constantia,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Erin. //<span style="font-family: Constantia,serif;">Grenade. //<span style="font-family: Constantia,serif;">2012. Pencil.