Examination of How Perception and Influence Impacts the Lives of Children with Chronic Illness in John Green’s Novel The Fault in Our Stars

Abstract

It is unacceptable to disregard fiction reading and writing as the caprices of a reality-deluded individual. Instead, it is an effective instrument for illuminating unsaid real-life incidents that are frequently disregarded despite existing as (non-fictitious) facts in the world. Fiction gives these mute voices a platform for discourse that would otherwise have stayed as monologues in the dark. Illness narratives are one such effort to advocate on behalf of the voiceless. One such author who sheds light on the psychological struggles faced by young adults with chronic illnesses is John Green. His book The Fault in Our Stars gives a realistic picture of the struggles that children with chronic illnesses confront on a daily basis. Frequently, people pay little attention to how someone, particularly a young adult with a chronic disease, interprets everything that goes on around them and how that interpretation eventually affects their attitude and sense of insight about life. The article seeks to highlight the psychological aspect of how a person’s lifestyle is directly impacted by the influence of particular individuals and shifts in perception.