Psychological Conflict Reflected Through Symbolism and Metaphor in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars

Abstract

This article examines the literary techniques employed by John Green in his novel *The Fault in Our Stars* to depict the psychological and existential struggles of the protagonist, Hazel Grace Lancaster. Specifically, it analyzes how symbolism and metaphor serve as externalizing tools for Hazel’s internal conflicts regarding mortality, identity, and medical dependency. The study focuses on three primary literary devices: the "grenade" metaphor, the oxygen tank as a symbol of physical limitation, and the fictional novel *An Imperial Affliction* as a psychological mirror. By employing a qualitative literary analysis, the article demonstrates that these devices allow the narrative to move beyond a mere "cancer story," providing a profound exploration of how meaning and selfhood are constructed in the face of inevitable destruction.