Hazel Grace is one of the most repeatable characters I've ever read about in a story. Though we have key differences, I feel like her behavior and outlook is very similar to how I would imagine myself feeling if I too were a teenager with lung cancer. She doesn't really
spend her time sulking on her situation, though it has caused her to condemn herself to her home. Its understandable that she would spend most of her time at home though since she can't even go up a handful of stairs without risking passing out. I feel she's more "I have cancer." instead of "I'm going to die, there's no point in anything." I love how realistic and blunt she is about her condition. While describing her cancer, she says "My lungs suck at being lungs." I'm not sure why, but that line sounds like the perfect teenager with cancer. It sounds almost humerus with how nonchalantly Hazel is about describing her cancer. I wonder where John Green found the inspiration to write a character like Hazel. It's not very common to find such a person who is so comfortable dealing with their problems, especially not in someone so young. I know a lot of people who would cry endlessly about having cancer and giving up on their life. Hazel seems to be more comfortable with death and maybe that's why shes not so down every day. Don't get me wrong, I feel like staying at home all day watching Next Top Model marathons isn't a very high quality of life either, but its better than spending the days crying. John must have have had a personal interaction with someone like Hazel, who was a teenager comfortable with their condition, because I really can't fathom how else he could describe a character so stable about her circumstances, while still having a modern day, angsty outlook on everything like the average teenager does today.
I feel like John Green had to have some type of interaction or close relation to someone with cancer because his representation of a teenager in our generation is literally too perfect to be just made up. I know that many writers draw inspiration from real life experiences and can use a collection of them to create a character or situation. It's human nature to compare life situations to what we know. It only makes sense that as a writer, John would take it upon himself to find real life examples of teens and families suffering with cancer. I also recently found out there was a book written about John Green's inspiration for Hazel Grace. I didn't open it, but it said it "John Green's inspiration behind Hazel Graze" so I figured
that was detailed enough. It only makes sense that John would have a good relationship with this person because he depicts this person with such a flawless tone of tenderness. This can't be just from his creative mind, (if he did, this man is an imaginative genius). I don't think its impossible to create a character like Hazel from just imagination but its highly difficult and I personally imagine the risk of not writing a believable character is important enough to take the time to study in order to create a believable character.
I feel like John Green had to have some type of interaction or close relation to someone with cancer because his representation of a teenager in our generation is literally too perfect to be just made up. I know that many writers draw inspiration from real life experiences and can use a collection of them to create a character or situation. It's human nature to compare life situations to what we know. It only makes sense that as a writer, John would take it upon himself to find real life examples of teens and families suffering with cancer. I also recently found out there was a book written about John Green's inspiration for Hazel Grace. I didn't open it, but it said it "John Green's inspiration behind Hazel Graze" so I figured
that was detailed enough. It only makes sense that John would have a good relationship with this person because he depicts this person with such a flawless tone of tenderness. This can't be just from his creative mind, (if he did, this man is an imaginative genius). I don't think its impossible to create a character like Hazel from just imagination but its highly difficult and I personally imagine the risk of not writing a believable character is important enough to take the time to study in order to create a believable character.
First of all I thought your title was very creative and funny. After reading your blog post title I knew your blog was going to be great. I was not disappointed. I have never read this book or seen the movie that recently came out but from what I’ve heard it is a real tear jerker. I agree with your thoughts about how there are two ways to deal with the situation of Hazel. The choice of bawling your eyes out and not doing anything or taking your illness in stride. I also think there can be a mix of the two. I think after you hear the news that you have a terminal illness you do cry and not want to do anything and thats naturally but there does come the time when you have to make that choice. The choice to really start living again or continue in that mourning state. I have great respect for the people with terminal illnesses and how they do everyday things to the best of their abilities. My cousin is one of those people. She is a mother of three young boys and she has had breast cancer for about 5 years. She still is a mother to the best of her abilities and makes sure that she can do everything she can for her boys. In the blog you made the comment about the author finding inspiration for Hazel but in my opinion and own life experience those people are not as rare as they might seem.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy your blog though and I hope you don’t cry too much at the end of the book.