Agape, Philia, and Eros: Greek Love in "The Fault In Our Stars" Anne Marie Schlueter 11th Grade

The English language is slightly limited when it comes to “love”. Love is the only word that the language offers to describe, well, love. Despite people loving certain people (or things) in different ways--the love a best friend receives is different from the love spouse receives—“love” covers it all. However, the Greek language provides more than just one word when it comes to love. There are many kinds of love displayed in John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars. The three that are the most apparent are those of agape, philia, and eros. Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen-year-old living with cancer, receives agape, witnesses philia, and experiences eros.

Agape is a love that gives and gives and gives without expecting (or even wanting) anything. Hazel receives agape from her parents, in particular from her mother. Mrs. Lancaster literally makes herself available every second of the day for her daughter who, in reality, is dying. Mrs. Lancaster feels guilty whenever she is not doing anything for the direct betterment of Hazel. Toward the end of the book, she reveals that she has been going to school in order to become a social worker. This is to prepare for when she can work again when Hazel no...