The Fault in Our Stars Lesson Plan

What do you think Hazel means when she calls depression "a side effect of dying"? Does this idea make sense to you?

Hazel thinks of depression as a consequence of human beings' awareness of our own mortality. She feels this particularly acutely in light of her terminal condition, but students might note that death is a difficult idea for many of us to face. Depression, sadness, and grief are common responses to the death of loved ones, but it can be argued that these feelings arise not only due to loss, but because contact with death reminds us of our own mortality. From this point of view, Hazel's observation is correct.

Consider the characters in An Imperial...