At the begging o the chapter, Hazel tells us: “I didn’t slip away. I was left on the shore with the waves washing over me, unable to drown...” How did she feel? What was she looking forward to?
In this part she felt a lot of pain. She was looking forward the moment she finally passed away, since the enormous pain could mean that she was finally going to die.
When answering Augustus’s mail, Peter Van Houten himself wrote: “...impressed by the Shakespearean complexity of your tragedy...” What was Peter exactly referring to?
Their story was very tragic, and Shakespeare's stories, specially love stories, also were. It looked as if only one of them was going to survive, while the other one would consequently was going to suffer the loss of the beloved one.
How did Hazel’s parents face their daughter’s illness?
It was tough for them, obviously, but I think they were facing it very well, since they were making all the effort they could for taking care of her. Her mom was with her all the time, and although the dad couldn't because he was the economic support of the family and had to work, all the time he was at home would also take care of her and make her happy.
One thing I really like of her parents, is that they also encouraged her to hang out with other people of her age, because they knew that her life could end at any moment, so they wanted her daughter to have a well lived life, despite of having cancer. I admire this from them, because they aren't keeping her all for them, they aren't selfish, and letting her go a little so she can live her life, even if it was difficult, was very brave from them.
Explain the meaning of the swing and the need to get rid of it.
Swing means the infancy of Hazel, the oeriod of her life where she was healthy and where she and her parents were happier because they had less worries. Getting rid of it implies her transition from chilhood to adulthood, where people have to confront reality, and where they have to be always brave. She needs to let it go, to stop being attached to her healthy past, because otherwise her present would always be tormented by it and she would be able to learn to be more happy, even if she had cancer.
As we read the novel, we find out more about Hazel’s fears and rejections. What’s the worst thing about having cancer, according to her?
According to Hazel, the worst thing of having cancer was that the physical evidence of having it would always separate her from the rest of the people. She couldn't be unnoticed. People would always stare at her, and being stared is something uncomfortable for almost everybody, specially when they stare at you because you have a disease, when they stare at you like if they had pity for you.
Haven’t you been waiting for his love confession to Hazel? Was it appropriate and sincere?
I had been waiting for his love confesion. Although I knew Hazel also liked him, it was more likely that it would be Augustus the one that would finally express his feelings.
He had expressed his feelings before, but this love confession was very special, sincere and appropiate, because he expressed all what she meant to him, and how his love to her meant more than his big fear of oblivion.