The Fault In Our Stars By John Green
"Mr. Martinez asked who among us had ever fantasized about living in the clouds, and everyone raised their hand. Then Mr. Martinez told us that up in the clouds the wind blew one hundred and fifty miles and hour and the temperature was thirty below zero and there was no oxygen and we'd all die within seconds... He specialized in the murder of dreams, Hazel Grace let me tell you. You think volcanoes are awesome? Tell that to the ten thousand screaming corpses at Pompeii. You still secretly believe that there is an element of magic to this world? It's all just soulless molecules bouncing against each other randomly. Do you worry about who will take care of you if your parents die? As well you should, because they will be worm food in the fullness of time." "Ignorance is bliss."
The protagonist of this book is Hazel Grace, a 16-year old girl currently living through cancer. Her dearest friend Augustus Waters is an amputee in remission. Way ahead of their years, they are both aware of the truth that is hidden beneath childhood hopes and beliefs. This particular rant given by Augustus Waters stuck out to me mainly because of Hazel's simple response.
In Augustus's little spiel, he recites with disgust his science teacher's explanations and probabilities of situations that all kids have dreamed about. Basically, his reasoning is straight forward, and with no sympathy he easily hits his students with hard facts. So when Hazel Grace says "Ignorance is bliss," she remembers the time of innocence, and being naive. Because she already knows that she will die of her illness, she wishes for a the feeling of not knowing what risks and dangers are. She wants the feeling of living carefree-- without the constant presence of death hanging right around the corner, ready to strike. So, in someways, being oblivious can be a privilege. There is a little less weight on your shoulders. There is hope for something good, in a situation where there is no clear answer.
When I was younger I used to believe in things likes Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and I always wished for the moment when I would become an adult because it seemed oh-so-fun. But one Christmas I woke too early, to find my parents wrapping gifts. When I lost my tooth I woke to my mother's hand underneath my pillow, sneaking a dollar bill. I started to notice the pattern of my dreams being rudely awakened by reality. While I still have a lot to discover, I'm old enough to know that adults have to work many hours a week. They have to pay bills and do their taxes. Adults don't get allowance for doing the dishes or taking out the garbage. When your adult you figure out your life and you know what is ahead of you, where as when you are a kid you can dream and wish. It gives us a motive, to try and succeed. But if we are exposed to the likeliness of maybe becoming a celebrity or a millionaire, then what is there to look forward too? How much confidence or trust would you have if you were told that the beliefs you grew up with were too good to be true?
Amazing post Haydon!!! I can really understand your connection with Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy and how I used to be in such a rush to grow up but then when I became older I realized how I missed those things so much. Being a kid is very enjoyable because of all the dreams.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI really agree that knowing too much could be a bad thing, and somethings ignorance really is bliss. If you could see everything you were going to do in your life before it happened, wouldn't that take away the point of living it? If you knew how and when you were going to die, it would just make life less and less enjoyable. In life, I think there are lots of things you have to figure out and learn, and as you move from childhood to adulthood a lot of what you learn isn't perfect. I think that sometimes ignorance is great, but at the same time you can't hide from reality.