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Essays on identity in literature
Identity in literature essay
Identity in literature essay
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Self-Identity in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars People with cancer often begin to define themselves based on their experience with their illness, this self-definition through one’s cancer is one that the characters fear in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. The novel shows how the characters strive to discover their identities, but despite that are still identified by their illness. The novel also makes the argument that young people with cancer are not any more virtuous or different than other kids rather, they are just normal kids living with an illness. Augustus wants to be remembered and also be more than just a boy who battled cancer, but despite his efforts is still identified by his illness. The character Augustus strives to not allow the cancer become his identity, rather to be remembered for something bigger than his illness. Augustus changes a lot from when he is first introduced at the beginning of the book till the final chapters before his death. When Hazel Grace first meets Augustus Waters at the support group she describes him as an attractive, strong and normal boy. It’s later during support group she finds out that he Augustus, once suffered from cancer and is now in remission. He attends the support group only as a companion for his friend Isaac who is a few days away from losing his eyesight. As the support group discussions go on, Augustus is asked what his fears are and he replies “Oblivion” (Green, 12) Augustus wants his life to mean more, rather than to just be forgotten when he dies. After each support group meeting a prayer is said with the list of all the members who have passed away added at the end. “And we remember in our hearts those whom we knew and loved who have gone home to you; Maria and ... ... middle of paper ... ...es, that we are underlings” (Shakespeare 1.2.9) The quote suggests that unfortunate events happen not because of destiny but because of the fault in characters. The three main teenage characters in this book suffer from a fate, which has in no way been caused by their actions but rather their destiny. Unlike the other characters Augustus fights to not let his destiny impact his choices, he strives to be seen as more than his illness. Augustus goes through the same struggles as any normal teenager and also the struggles of a cancer patient. Though his fate won the battle, till his death he fought being defined by his illness. Works Cited Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars. New York: Dutton, 2012. Print. Mabillard, Amanda. Quotations from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Shakespeare Online. 26 Feb. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/quotes/juliusquotes.html >
Although illness narratives are not novel or new, their prevalence in modern popular literature could be attributed to how these stories can be relatable, empowering, and thought-provoking. Susan Grubar is the writer for the blog “Living with Cancer”, in The New York Times, that communicates her experience with ovarian cancer (2012). In our LIBS 7001 class, Shirley Chuck, Navdeep Dha, Brynn Tomie, and I (2016) discussed various narrative elements of her more recent blog post, “Living with Cancer: A Farewell to Legs” (2016). Although the elements of narration and description (Gracias, 2016) were easily identified by all group members, the most interesting topics revolved around symbolism as well as the overall impression or mood of the post.
The book Kooser shares these stories know that he is not just the only one that goes through this thing like breath of a loved one that was sick. “if you had lived we would all be miserable” and at time we think of what would have happened if our loved one were still alive, he tells his father what would have happen he tells him of how unhappy he would have been, “I miss you every day” this just changed all tone of the poem telling his daddy I still miss you and it doesn 't matter what if you were sick or not. And the last stay he uses in the book and this poem is having a good ending, here is this poem he shares him daddy best time and memory,” today lilacs are blooming in the side yards all over Iowa still welcoming
For cancer teens, that adage is true; they are likely to die before they become adults” (Corliss,2014). In young adult life, the teenagers think that adults cannot help them with their problems, that what they are going through is so unique to them and it has never happened to anyone else before. Given that Augustus does die before he becomes an adult shows that for some young adult's life can be so uncontrollable and not end up in a positive manner. They may not become the adults they wish to be or they may be forced to give up on being youthful. That even the brightest stars die out, but that you can still try to enjoy whatever time you have as a young adult and stop trying to control every aspect of your life. Corliss goes on to say that “ It allows Hazel and Augustus to pack the luster of a lifetime -- first love, trip to Europe, meeting a famous author, last love -- into what may be their only summer” (Corliss 2014). Teens experience a lot of things for the first time during their teen years, The Fault in our stars just gives us a glimpse. The cancer in this book may seem drastic because there were so many other things he could have written about that shows just how out of control teens feel. It just shows that people react to life experiences differently, in the
Chapter Seven lightly touches upon the death of AIDS patients, and the stigmatism's and rejection they may face, but also exhibits the patients' ability to control their moment of death. The joy which a family can gain when there is an open acceptance of a loved ones death is visible in Chapter Eight as John's f...
-Plutarch. (Reproduced by Internet Ancient History Sourcebook, Aug 2000). The Assassination of Julius Caesar, from Marcus Brutus (excerpts). John Dryden. Retrieved From: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/plutarch-caesar.asp (accessed 21 February 2014).
In each novel, Green and Steinbeck use the motif of friendship to illustrate a different theme. Green uses the motif of friendship to create the idea that humans can’t always determine the outcome of life. Hazel has many trials regarding her cancer, such as her breathing and the ability to make friends, as she is afraid of hurting others if she dies. Augustus becomes her friend when he is able to understand her pain: he never left her side again. In one instance, Hazel wakes up in the ICU and the nurse informs he...
The meaning of fate is the development of events beyond a person’s control. If we went by that definition the tragedy is completely character flaw and not fate at all. Romeo, Juliet, their
that the tragedy was not the fault of any one individual - it was fate
Cancer limits her chances at being a normal teenage girl with a normal life. As reluctant as she was to go to support group, she meets other teenagers going through the same stuff. Hazel gets to experience the flirting, adventure, and excitement of teenage life. She allows herself to be immature and careless. Gus’s death reminds her how unfair the world is but she doesn't regret her choices. In her eulogy at the funeral, Hazel says “I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.” (Green 260). This quote shows she doesn't regret becoming close to him; even with the unfortunate fallout she’s thankful for the time and experiences. Hazel matures because of her relationship. She got the chance at “normal” and love. Caring for someone with cancer helped her mature.
The elements of a character’s true personality and attitude make that fate. a reality and force the destiny to become the destination. The stories of Gilgamesh, Oedipus the King, and The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam. all teach the readers that destiny and character are intertwined. In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, destiny and Oedipus’ actions.
Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.” Elements of Literature: Kylene Beers. Austin: Holt, 2009. 842-963. Print.
Bloom, Harold. William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Chelsea House Publisher; Connecticut, New York, & Pennsylvania. 1988, Pg. #33 - 36
Shakespeare, William. "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar." Houghton Mifflin Company. The Riverside Shakespeare. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston, 1994.
Allen, Janet. "Julius Caesar." Holt McDougal Literature. Orlando, FL: Holt McDougal/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. N. pag. Print.
...ir relationship Augustus shows Hazel how to live each day to its fullest. Another theme would be the courage within the characters. Hazel and Augustus are cancer patients and they are definitely tougher people because of it. The way they approach their close deaths takes a large amount of courage in itself.