Quick Write: Existentialism

According to John Green‘s book, ” The Fault in Our Stars“,”Ha Amsterdam is like a tree ring: It gets older as you get closer to the center.” (156) and Hazel who is a character of the story say:”A mother sends her sixteen-year-old daughter alone with a seventeen-year-old boy into a foreign city famous for its permission. But this is also a side effect of dying: I cannot run or jump or eat nitrogen-rich food, but in the free city, I am one of the most liberated residents.” (159). Both of these two quotes are related to each other and her mother just reckless or she just believes in her daughter. Usually, the adult age recognized by the state is 18 years old, some countries will be 19 years old. Only when children are 18 or 19 years old can independent on their parent. However, Hazel is just sixteen years old and Augustus is just seventeen years old, so it was a surprise when Hazel’s mother let her go out with Augustus freely. Amsterdam is a poetic and beautiful city of Netherlands, it has featured in many articles and movies. It seems that the poetic nature of this city can make children even young but become more mature. Furthermore, because of the cancer illness, Hazel seems to be something more special than other children of the same age. Children at the age of sixteen will often like to birthday, party, but Hazel just needs freedom and time. The cancer prevented her from growing and mature like any other child, taking away most of her time and stealing her freedom. She always had to carry a tank to help her breathe. God was so unfair to her, but instead of being pessimistic, she spent those precious moments doing what she liked,loving the person she loved. I think the existentialism in here is free and responsible for their own decisions. Augustus has said to be an existentialism. he said” because it is my life,mom. It belongs to me” (139), he wants to decide by himself, and he wants to become independent his life. He knows that someday he will leave so he wants to spend that little time to live the life he wants, optimistic. Both of two quote want to say the sins and freedom that Hazel and Augustus want to be.