Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Hazel Grace Lancaster Sample
Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Hazel
Grace Lancaster. Then write a paragraph that describes
and analyzes Hazel Grace Lancaster, including
relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how (or if)
they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
The novel’s narrator and protagonist, Hazel is a 16-year-old girl living with a terminal
form of thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs. Because of her cancer she is forced
to carry an oxygen tank. A precocious and conscientious girl, Hazel thinks deeply about
her life and death, deciding to keep those around her at a distance because she believes
her death will damage them. Through falling in love with Augustus, however, she
develops a new perspective on life and death, and comes to terms with her
impermanence and the effect it will have on others.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Augustus Waters Sample
Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Augustus
Waters. Then write a paragraph that describes and
analyzes Augustus Waters, including relationships, traits,
motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over the
course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
Hazel’s boyfriend, Augustus is a seventeen-year-old who has lost his leg due to a form
of bone cancer called, osteosarcoma. August falls for Hazel immediately, and is drawn to
her after she comments in support group about dying. August, like Hazel, is concerned
with life and death, but his concern stems from fading into oblivion after he dies.
Because of this fear, Augustus is obsessed with doing something heroic. Augustus is able
to complete his heroic act through his relationship with Hazel, and in the end their
relationship prevents him to fading into oblivion.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Isaac Sample Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Isaac.
Then write a paragraph that describes and analyzes Isaac,
including relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how
(or if) they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
is Hazel and Augustus’ mutual friend. A rare form of eye cancer blinds Isaac, and his
situation leads him to cynicism and anger. After being blinded, his girlfriend, Monica,
leaves him, which is a devastating event in Isaac’s life. His character shows the way in
which typical coming of age experiences, like the end of a young relationship, is
particularly difficult for the young characters living with cancer. Isaac’s name also carries
a religious connotation, as the biblical character Isaac also goes blind.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Mrs. Lancaster Sample Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Mrs.
Lancaster. Then write a paragraph that describes and
analyzes Mrs. Lancaster, including relationships, traits,
motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over the
course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
Hazel’s mother, Mrs. Lancaster is dedicated and loving. She exerts most of her energy
caring for Hazel and learning everything she can about Hazel’s cancer. Mrs. Lancaster
wants her daughter to have a normal teenage life, but is also protective and at times
overbearing. Hazel fears that her death will have a devastating effect on her mother, but
is relieved once she finds out that her mother has been secretly studying to become a
social worker.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Augustus’s parents Sample
Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into
Augustus’s parents. Then write a paragraph that describes
and analyzes Augustus’s parents, including relationships,
traits, motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over
the course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
Augustus’ parents are kind and hopeful people. They find hope in the platitudinous
sayings they have embroidered and hung all over their house and have trust in God.
Hazel watches them cope with Augustus’ death, which gives her hope that her family
will survive her own passing. The family comes together after Augustus’ dies, and
although Hazel feels as if she is not fully a part of the family after Augustus passes, his
father tells Hazel that he is glad she was part of Augustus’ life, which means a lot to her.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Peter Van Houten Sample
Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Peter Van
Houten. Then write a paragraph that describes and
analyzes Peter Van Houten, including relationships, traits,
motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over the
course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
The author of An Imperial Affliction, a novel Hazel becomes obsessed with. Hazel and
Augustus believe that Van Houten can give them insight into what will happen to their
families after they succumb to their cancers. Upon meeting Van Houten, Hazel and
August learn that he is a nihilistic and aggressive alcoholic who treats them with cruelty
when they visit. In the end, it is revealed that Van Houten has lost a child from cancer,
and has fallen into alcoholism since her passing. His interactions with Hazel seem to
imply that he may find a way out of his alcoholism and to write again.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Dr. Maria Sample Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Dr. Maria.
Then write a paragraph that describes and analyzes Dr.
Maria, including relationships, traits, motivations, fears,
and how (or if) they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
Hazel’s primary cancer doctor, Dr. Maria works with Hazel and her family through her
treatment. She is firm when she makes suggestions about Hazel’s treatment, but she
wants Hazel to experience her life despite her cancer. Eventually, after much
deliberation, she convinces Hazel’s parents to allow her to travel to Amsterdam.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Kaitlyn Sample Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Kaitlyn.
Then write a paragraph that describes and analyzes
Kaitlyn, including relationships, traits, motivations, fears,
and how (or if) they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
Hazel’s friend and schoolmate, Kaitlyn is the stereotypical teenage girl. She is
obsessed with shopping, boys, and juicy gossip. Kaitlyn’s presence in Hazel’s life shows
the way in which Hazel’s cancer has separated her from the world of normal teenagers.
Although they are good friends, Kaitlyn’s character highlights the way in which health
challenges create a disconnection between those who are healthy and those who are
sick.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Caroline Mathers Sample
Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Caroline
Mathers. Then write a paragraph that describes and
analyzes Caroline Mathers, including relationships, traits,
motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over the
course of the text.
Evidence
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Character Description and Analysis
Augustus’s former girlfriend, Caroline Mathers died from brain cancer. Although
Caroline does not appear in the novel, Augustus tells Hazel about Caroline’s decline and
eventual passing. The details of her death shows the realities of cancer, working against
the misrepresentation of those who are diagnosed with cancer as more heroic, spiritual,
and noble than normal people. As she died, Caroline became selfish, impulsive, and
cruel, showing the true and horrific nature of cancer.
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Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Anna Sample Answers
Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the
text to use as evidence that provides insight into Anna.
Then write a paragraph that describes and analyzes Anna,
including relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how
(or if) they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
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6.
Character Description and Analysis
The protagonist of An Imperial Affliction, which tells the story of Anna’s passing from
cancer. Hazel identifies with Anna’s experience, and appreciates the honesty with which
Anna talks about her illness. Hazel believes that by understanding Anna’s experience
and what happened to her family will provide insight into her own death and what will
happen to her family afterward.
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