Isaac's Blindness and Breakup

The Fault in Our Stars

Isaac loses his remaining eye to cancer and is abandoned by his girlfriend Monica, leading to a destructive outburst and eventual acceptance.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
Isaac's Eye SurgeryIsaac's Eye Surgery
Isaac's Eye Surgery The Diagnosis Isaac has a recurrence of eye cancer. He will lose his remaining eye and become blind. He shares this at Support Group. Monica's Support His girlfriend Monica is initially supportive. They say "always" to each other. Isaac believes in true love. The Surgery Isaac undergoes surgery. He is now blind. Hazel visits him in the hospital. He is in pain and misses Monica.
Monica's AbandonmentMonica's Abandonment
Monica's Abandonment The Breakup Monica breaks up with Isaac because she cannot handle his blindness. She stops visiting and texting. Isaac is heartbroken. The Promise Broken Isaac feels betrayed. He believed in the "always" promise. He says love is keeping the promise anyway. The Night of the Broken Trophies Isaac goes to Augustus's house. He destroys Augustus's basketball trophies in a rage. Augustus encourages him, saying pain demands to be felt.
Learning to Be BlindLearning to Be Blind
Learning to Be Blind Rehab Isaac goes to rehab to learn how to live without sight. He uses a cane and a text-reading machine. New Friendships He bonds with Hazel and Augustus. They play video games designed for the blind. He jokes about his condition. Acceptance Isaac begins to accept his blindness. He says he doesn't have time for a girlfriend; he has a full-time job learning to be blind.
Egging Monica's CarEgging Monica's Car
Egging Monica's Car The Plan Augustus decides to help Isaac get revenge. They drive to Monica's house with a dozen eggs. The Execution Isaac throws eggs at Monica's car. Augustus guides him. They hit the car multiple times. Monica's mother comes out but retreats. The Aftermath Hazel takes a picture. Isaac feels a sense of justice. Augustus says they took away Monica's feeling of legitimacy.
Isaac at the PrefuneralIsaac at the Prefuneral
Isaac at the Prefuneral The Eulogy Isaac delivers a eulogy at Augustus's prefuneral. He calls Augustus a self-aggrandizing bastard but says he doesn't want to see a world without him. The Emotion Isaac breaks down crying. He presses his forehead to the lectern. Augustus edits his own eulogy. The Friendship Isaac's speech shows the depth of his friendship with Augustus. He is losing his best friend.
Early spring, before Amsterdam
After Isaac's surgery
Weeks after surgery
After Augustus's recurrence, before his death
Eight days before Augustus's death