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It is often said that one of the things that makes humans human is the ability and desire to interact with each other. Using imagery, Green paints the picture of an anti-social teenage girl who the reader cannot help but feel pity for. Initially, Hazel’s social life is non-existent and it does not seem as though her social situation will ever change. With the introduction of Augustus Waters in Hazel’s story, Green creates a boy that epitomizes both optimism and enthusiasm. Upon making the acquaintance of Hazel Grace, Augustus almost immediately changes Hazel’s social strata; she interacts with Augustus not only as a friend but also as a romantic interest, while also building bonds of friendship with others as a result of her relationship with Augustus.

Throughout their time spent together, Augustus and Hazel quickly become each other’s best friends. Hazel does not have very many friends at the beginning of the novel, with Green portraying Hazel as a ‘lone-wolf type’ of person, who spends more time in isolation than in the company of others. She, herself states that her “two best friends [are her parents and her third] was an author who [does] not know [she] exists” (Green 12). Her mother constantly urges her to “go out and make friends” (Green 8), however Hazel perceives herself to be too “disheveled and awkward” (Green 43) to do so. With the introduction of Augustus Waters in her life, Hazel not only gains a friend, but a best friend. As time passes, the friendship between the pair only grows stronger, as Augusts’ optimism slowly but surely influences Hazel to see the world in less cynical lens. Augustus easily becomes the closest person to Hazel other than her family:

Hazel : “He’s not a stranger. He’s easily my second best fr...

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...ching effects.

Lost in love and much happier, Hazel enjoys her time with Augustus as she experiences optimism in her life. Augustus Waters not only provides her with friendship and intimacy, but also helps Hazel strengthen her old friendships. Augustus betters her life, by encouraging Hazel to interact more and alters her idea that she, as “a grenade” (Green 214), could not make meaningful relationships. With his optimism Hazel understands, “that [she] loved a grenade [and] did understand the foolishness of trying to save others from my own impending fragmentation”, however she “couldn't unlove Augustus Waters. And [she] didn't want to” (Green 214). Green illustrates his point through the optimism in which Augustus exemplifies. Optimism brings happiness into Hazel’s life as she cherishes her experiences in the moment and after Augustus passes away, in her memory.