Hazel Grace Lancaster, the protagonist of The Fault in Our Stars, experiences profound loss at the novel's conclusion. While the book's narrative ends at a poignant moment, her story continues beyond the final page, ultimately leading to her unavoidable death, a fate shared by all characters.
Hazel's Journey at the Novel's Close
At the end of The Fault in Our Stars, Hazel is dealing with the devastating loss of Augustus Waters, her boyfriend, who succumbs to his cancer. The final chapters depict her deep grief and the immediate aftermath of his death.
Key events for Hazel at the novel's conclusion include:
- Augustus Waters' Passing: Hazel is by Gus's side during his last moments, witnessing his decline and ultimate death.
- Grief and Eulogy: She attends his funeral, where she delivers a heartfelt eulogy, reflecting on their unique relationship and his impact on her life. She also learns about Gus's "pre-funeral" where he had asked Isaac to read a eulogy.
- Peter Van Houten's Revelation: Peter Van Houten, the reclusive author whom Hazel and Gus had visited in Amsterdam, surprisingly appears at Gus's funeral. He later reveals that Augustus had written him a final letter, asking him to craft a eulogy for Hazel.
- The Final Letter: The novel concludes with Hazel reading Gus's posthumous letter, which Peter Van Houten eventually gives her. In this letter, Gus expresses his love for Hazel, his acceptance of mortality, and his hope for her future, reaffirming their shared "okay."
Hazel's Ultimate Fate Beyond the Narrative
While the book's narrative concludes with Hazel reflecting on Augustus's letter and her ongoing life, it is implied that she lives beyond these final scenes. The novel does not show her entire life, but it acknowledges the reality of mortality that permeates the story.
- Continued Life: Hazel Grace Lancaster continues to live her life after the events depicted in the book's final pages. Her journey of coping with loss and finding meaning continues.
- Inevitable Conclusion: However, regardless of the duration or specific events of her life after the novel ends, her ultimate fate, like that of all characters and all people, is death. This reinforces the novel's central theme that death is an unavoidable and universal conclusion for everyone, irrespective of their battles or triumphs.
The ending leaves Hazel with the profound impact of Augustus's love and the ongoing challenge of living with her own illness, but it also carries the underlying truth that life, and indeed every life story, eventually reaches its end.
