What Is The Theme In The Fault In Our Stars
Okay, so you've probably heard of The Fault in Our Stars. Maybe you’ve seen the movie. Maybe you’ve even, gasp, read the book! And everyone, everywhere, is always talking about the "theme." They use big, fancy words. They sound super smart. But let’s be real for a second.
What if I told you the real theme isn't what everyone else is saying? What if it's something a little… sillier? And maybe, just maybe, a tiny bit more accurate?
Most people will tell you the theme is about love conquering all. Or about facing your mortality with grace. Or about the beauty of small, finite lives. And yes, those things are in there. They’re like the fancy icing on the cake. But what about the actual cake?
My unpopular opinion? The biggest, most undeniable theme in The Fault in Our Stars is… awkwardness.
Think about it. From the very first moment we meet Hazel Grace Lancaster, she's dealing with awkwardness. She's got a tube in her nose. She has to carry an oxygen tank. Going to a support group? Totally awkward. Especially when she’s dragged there by her mom.
And then, BAM! Enter Augustus "Gus" Waters. He’s the epitome of charmingly awkward. He’s got that whole "I’m so cool, but also secretly terrified" vibe. He makes a dramatic entrance. He’s trying way too hard, but in the cutest way possible. Remember that whole "I fell in love with you the moment you offered me a cigarette" speech? Peak awkwardness. But we love it. We live for it.
Their entire relationship is a masterclass in awkwardness. They're teenagers. They're dealing with life-or-death stuff. They’re trying to figure out what love even means when your future is uncertain. So, of course, things are going to be weird. They’re going to say the wrong thing. They’re going to have those moments where they just stare at each other, unsure of what comes next. It’s not always smooth sailing. It’s not always perfect movie moments.
Consider their trip to Amsterdam. It’s supposed to be this grand romantic gesture. But what happens? Gus drops the bomb about his cancer returning. How awkward is that? Right in the middle of a beautiful dinner! Talk about a mood killer. And Hazel? She has to deal with the sheer horror and the need to be there for him, all while navigating her own feelings and the sheer shock of it all.
Then there's the whole dealing with family. Hazel's parents. They’re trying their best. They love her. But sometimes, their love comes with a side of well-meaning but utterly mortifying awkwardness. Like when they get all teary and gushy in front of Gus. Bless their hearts, but it’s a little much, isn’t it?
And Gus’s family? Even more so. The funeral scene. Oh. My. Goodness. If that isn't the pinnacle of profound, soul-crushing, yet somehow still hilariously awkward grief, I don't know what is. Isaac, bless his blind and rage-filled heart, completely steals the show with his… unique… eulogy. It’s so over the top, so emotionally raw, and so utterly inappropriate for a funeral that you can’t help but chuckle through your tears.
It’s that raw, messy, unpredictable side of life that John Green captured so brilliantly. Not just the big, dramatic moments, but the quiet, uncomfortable ones too.
The Fault in our Stars Theme Analysis by Corey Cao on Prezi
Because let's face it, real life isn't always poetic pronouncements. It's often fumbling for words. It's tripping over your own feet. It's saying something you immediately regret. It’s trying to be brave when you feel like a giant, trembling mess.
And The Fault in Our Stars perfectly nails that. It shows us that even when you’re facing something as monumental as death, there are still moments of goofy, relatable, human awkwardness. The characters aren't perfect. They aren't superheroes. They're just kids, trying to navigate an impossibly difficult situation with a mix of wit, fear, and yes, a whole lot of awkwardness.
So next time you think about the theme of The Fault in Our Stars, remember the awkward silences. Remember the fumbled jokes. Remember the moments where you wanted to sink into the couch with embarrassment for the characters. Because in those moments of pure, unadulterated awkwardness, you’ll find the true heart of the story. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real. And sometimes, being real is just… really, really awkward. And that’s okay. That’s more than okay. It’s beautiful.