The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars

Summer Reading Review Chart

Since we will be working with this book at the beginning of the year, please use this assignment to keep track of your thoughts and analyses. Please be prepared to submit a typed version of this assignment on Turnitin.com during the first week of school. You will turn in your typed version of this paper on the first day of school. Please do your own work.

Author: / Publishing Year:
Themes: A theme is a message; it is a comment by the author about society, people’s behavior, or the human condition. A theme is a complete idea. It is a sentence; it is not just a word. After reading the novel, what two themes could you find?
______
______
______
______/ Evidence for one theme: Write and cite a line from the book that supports one of your themes. After you have done that, highlight or circle the theme you have selected.
“______
______
______
______” ( ).
Figurative Language: Figurative language refers to similes, metaphors, personification, or hyperbole that should not be taken literally. Please quote your favorite example of figurative language and write if it is a simile, metaphor, personification, or hyperbole.
“______
______
______
______” ( ).
Type of Figurative Language: ______/ Figurative Language Analysis: Using your quoted example of figurative language from the left-hand side of this box, analyze (look at something closely in a methodical way) the language used. What effect does this type of figurative language have on characterization or theme? (Please answer using complete sentences.)
Symbolism: Symbolism occurs when an object stands for something else: doves for peace or hearts to represent love are two basic examples of everyday symbolism. In literature, symbols might be more complex. Select an example from the book that you believe represents something else, and discuss the symbol, what you think it represents, and why you found it important. (Please answer using complete sentences.) / Allusion: An allusion is a reference to an actual work of literature, a historic event, a well-known person, or a piece of popular culture. Select one allusion from the novel and discuss how it enhanced your understanding of the story. (Please answer using complete sentences.)
Why do you think An Imperial Affliction is important to Hazel? (Please answer using complete sentences.) / How does the title of the book, The Fault in Our Stars, connect to its contents? (Please answer using complete sentences.)
Characterization: Discuss your thoughts on the two major characters. Some questions to consider: Which characters stayed static (the same) or became dynamic (changed)? Explain. Who is the protagonist? Why? Antagonist? Why? Which one was most relatable to you? Explain. (Please answer using complete sentences.)
Response: Share your thoughts about the characters, their stories, your reactions, and more. Feel free to add another page to this paper. (Please answer using complete sentences.)
One question derived from the reading you would like to discuss when we return: / One comment about the reading you would like to share when we return:

The Fault in Our Stars

Summer Reading Review Examples

These examples and models are from the first two chapters of the novel and should help you with four of the boxes from the summer reading chart. You are expected to have your own answers.

Figurative Language: Figurative language refers to similes, metaphors, personification, or hyperbole that should not be taken literally. Please quote your favorite example of figurative language and write if it is a simile, metaphor, personification, or hyperbole.
“I am on a roller coaster that only goes up, my friend (Green 11).
Type of Figurative Language: Metaphor / Figurative Language Analysis: Using your quoted example of figurative language from the left-hand side of this box, analyze (look at something closely in a methodical way) the language used. What effect does this type of figurative language have on characterization or theme? (Please answer using complete sentences.)
The character of Augustus appreciates metaphors, and here is saying that his life is a roller coaster and only consists of climbs with no falls. At this early point in the novel, Augustus is afraid to be vulnerable and show his actual fears. There is a sense of irony when he says that his life is only positive as he is in a cancer support group.
Symbolism: Symbolism occurs when an object stands for something else: doves for peace or hearts to represent love are two basic examples of everyday symbolism. In literature, symbols might be more complex. Select an example from the book that you believe represents something else. Discuss the symbol, what you think it represents, and why you found it important. (Please answer using complete sentences.)
Augustus’ unlit cigarette= Augustus taking control of his health
The cigarette is a purposeful symbol of control for Augustus, a character who likes symbols and metaphors. Smoking cigarettes is known to cause cancer; Augustus, who has had cancer, carries cigarettes but does not smoke them. He feels this puts him in symbolic control over cancer, a control that he desperately wants. Augustus first explains this to Hazel by asserting, “You put the killing thing between your teeth, but you do not give it the power to do its killing” (Green 20). / Allusion: An allusion is a reference to an actual work of literature, a historic event, a well-known person, or a piece of popular culture. Select one allusion from the novel and discuss how it enhanced your understanding of the story. (Please answer using complete sentences.)
Hazel discusses the cancer support group and mentions that the leader, Patrick, “is waiting, as we all do, for the sword of Damocles to give him the relief that he escaped” (Green 4). This is an allusion because it is a reference to a Greek legend. In the legend, Damocles flattered his king in the hopes that Damocles would be given more power, so to teach Damocles a lesson, the king and Damocles switched places for the day. At dinner, Damocles saw a sword dangerously hanging by a single thread over his head. The king wanted to teach Damocles that it was hazardous to be in power and that people are often under a threat, are uncertain, and are constantly aware of mortality (Block). Hazel’s use of the allusion shows readers that she is intelligent, is aware that living with cancer is living under a constant threat of imminent death, and reveals her dark sense of humor that she thinks that Patrick’s current life is not great and that death might have been a relief for him, as it is for some people who suffer.
Note: If you look up the allusion, please provide the MLA citation from where you looked.
Block, Melissa, and Daniel Mendelsohn. "Sword of Damocles' Reference Sometimes Misused." NPR. N.p., 19 Aug. 2011. Web. 25 May 2013.

ü  Other Works by John Green: Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances (with Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle), Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan)