Why Films and Books Are So Valuable to Our Society

Yesterday I went to see The Fault In Our Stars film at my local cinema. I went knowing exactly what was going to happen, having read the books multiple times. When I first read the book I had the same response as almost everyone else who has read it, I bawled like a baby. With this in mind, I didn't really expect that the film would cause me to have the same reaction, maybe a little misty-eyed, but nothing that I couldn't handle. Instead I found myself audibly sobbing alongside my friends and the other twenty or so people in the screen. This made me realise why books and films are such an important part of our lives. We designate buildings for the distribution of these experiences: cinemas, libraries, bookshops, all so we can live in a world created by someone else, so we can escape for a few hours.

There is something deeply moving about sitting in a dark room, where nobody cares who you are, or what you are, and everyone is experiencing the same thing. We may not necessarily share the same reactions to what we watch, but the main thing is that we feel. It is amazing that film makers and writers are able to inspire intense emotions within people using people who don't even exist!

Books and films allow us to leave behind our own problems for a few hours, and sometimes even see ourselves in characters and know that someone out there knows what we are going through, and understands who we are on a greater level.

Tragedy is the main focus of literature because it is something many of us relate to. We understand what it is like to lose the love of our lives, or feel failure because these are universal. Yes, it is easier to feel happy all the time, but it is cathartic to cry, really cry, at times.

This is why I strongly believe that future generations will truly understand us by looking at these mediums, and why we must fight to protect them.

The Fault In Our Stars

For Those Who Haven't Read The Book:

John Green's The Fault In Our Stars is a gripping story about the close friendship and romance between Hazel Grace Lancaster, who has terminal thyroid cancer, and Augustus Waters, who is in remission from osteosarcoma, after they meet in a cancer support group. Green has written about a difficult topic with the right balance of humour and seriousness to create a heartbreaking classic which made me laugh, cry (almost always in a public place), and longing for more.

If you have not read The Fault In Our Stars I would recommend you run out immediately to the closest bookshop, money in hand, and bang on the door until they let you in and sell you a copy.

For Those Who Have:
(Warning: may contain some spoilers - you have been warned)

I instantly fell in love with The Fault In Our Stars from the moment I first read it. I had previously loved Green's writing after reading Looking For Alaska, but once I finished this I knew that I had found a new favourite.

I liked the plot, in which the main theme is love having to tackle difficult obstacles. The theme is presented through Hazel and Augustus's love story, which is present throughout the novel (as they are the main characters), however Green also presents the theme through Isaac's relationship. I really enjoyed reading about Isaac because he is funny, smart, and his failed relationship helps point out the sad fact that, most of the time, love does not conquer all. Familial love also plays a part in the novel as Hazel's parents clearly want the best things for her that she can have, and when Gus does die it is heartbreaking to read because all they want to do is take away Hazel's pain but they cannot.

I think Green has done a brilliant job of creating realistic characters, Hazel is very sarcastic and can be quite naive at times and mature at others. Her sarcastic nature is usually directed at the ideas that people have about people dying from cancer, at one point saying:
"According to the conventions of the genre, Augustus Waters kept his sense of humour till the end, did not for a moment waiver in his courage...". This is said at a point where Augustus is disgusted with himself and all he wants is for his life to end.
While I don't think that Green is trying to say that they are not brave, I think that he wanted to show that there are moments in everyone where, no matter how brave and strong we are, where we cannot handle what life has thrown at us.

Augustus is also an interesting character, as he is sweet and deep (as he is obsessed with metaphors and what they say about life), however he can also be painfully unthoughtful, as his desire to be remembered and have a meaningful life does insult Hazel and makes her feel that she is not enough for him. Above all the characters can be related to by the reader despite their circumstances as they are just teenagers, and not 2 dimensional.

John Green manages to create a captivating story which is insightful and heartbreaking in the best way possible. Many people will have their own opinions on the book, but I love it all over again every time I read it. It really made me think about what I would classify as a meaningful life, I came to the conclusion that while it is great to be remembered, it does not mean everything, and the mark of a successful life is if you feel happy and have achieved what you want out of life. But I do appreciate that it will be different for everyone and I would love to hear other views on the matter.