Caroline Mathers's Legacy

The Fault in Our Stars

Augustus's deceased ex-girlfriend haunts his past and shapes his relationship with Hazel, revealing the complexities of loving someone who died.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
The Ghost of CarolineThe Ghost of Caroline
The Ghost of Caroline The Discovery Hazel looks up Caroline Mathers online. She sees pictures of Augustus with her. She realizes she looks like Caroline's cancer self. The Jealousy Hazel feels jealous and worried. She wonders if Augustus is only attracted to her because she resembles Caroline. The Conversation In Amsterdam, Augustus tells Hazel about Caroline. She had a brain tumor that made her mean. He stayed with her until she died. He says it was a privilege to have his heart broken by Hazel.
The Story of CarolineThe Story of Caroline
The Story of Caroline The Asshole Tumor Caroline had a brain tumor that turned her into a monster. She called Augustus "Stumpy." She was moody and miserable. The Loyalty Augustus stayed with her because you can't dump a dying girl. He felt trapped but also compassionate. The Lesson Caroline's death taught Augustus that cancer kids are not automatically heroic. He learned the complexity of suffering.
Revealed during the Amsterdam trip
Told by Augustus in Amsterdam