Augustus Waters and Me by Alissa

Augustus Waters and Me by Alissa - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

The Fault in Our Stars was a book I read the darkest parts of the night, often with the moonlight illuminating the well-worn pages of my beloved paperback book. Naturally, the essay written about one of John Green’s characters is also being written late at night. It happens to be the spring break of my senior year of high school, and I have no doubt that these words will spill out of my mind as fast as my fingers can type them.

Augustus Waters is one of two main characters in John Green’s phenomenal work, The Fault in Our Stars. He is first introduced in a support group at a church for kids suffering from cancer. He is in remission from cancer, the only sign that he was ever sick being his prosthetic leg. I initially perceived him as very suave, confident, and mysterious. He is the kind of person that one cannot help but be interested in. As the story progresses, it is revealed that Augustus Waters wears a mask. Augustus is a fearless young man, convinced that in order to live a worthwhile life he must leave a dramatic, positive impact on society. His life revolves around performing grandiose gestures that he believes are essential in order to have a significant existence. Gus, however, is a compassionate, sensitive, and terrified teenage boy. Hazel, his girlfriend and also a main character of The Fault in Our Stars, begins to call him Gus as they grow closer. As their relationship progresses, it is revealed that Augustus’ cancer has returned. As this breaks him down both mentally and physically, his true self, Gus, is exposed. As the cancer takes over his body, he comes to the realization that simply being Gus is nothing close to insignificant. Reading Augustus’ story brought me to the same realization that he came to within the story; living a life that provokes happiness, even in the simplest of ways, is monumentally more important than doing something that humanity may perceive as great or extraordinary. I have begun to more appreciate the innocent, less complex aspects of my life, in the same way that Augustus did as his life was deteriorating. I am thankful that I have come to this spiritual realization at a time in my life when I am healthy, happy, and thriving.

Throughout the story, Augustus falls deeper and deeper in love with Hazel. Hazel has been in cancer remission since the first page of the book, but still faces complications with her lungs. She is constantly hauling around an oxygen tank, and cannot participate in all of the activities that her peers can. Loving Hazel taught Gus gentleness and compassion, two things that I strive to practice every day of my life.

All in all, Augustus “Gus” Waters taught me more throughout The Fault in Our Stars than any character in any book ever has. Gus Waters’ character influenced me to live my life to the fullest in a way that makes me happy, as opposed to pleasing society. Gus also showed me the importance of compassion in relationships with others; I have realized just how important it is to nurture positive relationships in my life.