The Theology of Attention in The Fault in Our Stars: John Green's Novel Contribution to "Thinking About Suffering"

This article describes the theology of attention that unfolds in John Green's young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars. Using Simone Weil's "doctrine of attention" as an interpretative lens, I explain how Green uses literary fiction to outline an alternative to abstract theologic...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bowlby, Ewan (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: 2023
In: Journal of religion and popular culture
Year: 2023, Volume: 35, Issue: 1, Pages: 36-49
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Green, John 1977-, The fault in our stars / Wallace, David Foster 1962-2008, Infinite Jest / Dostoevskij, Fëdor Michajlovič 1821-1881, Bratʹja Karamazovy / Weil, Simone 1909-1943 / Suffering (Motif) / Watchfulness / Theology / Truth / Theodicy
IxTheo Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
CD Christianity and Culture
FA Theology
NBC Doctrine of God
NBK Soteriology
NCB Personal ethics
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This article describes the theology of attention that unfolds in John Green's young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars. Using Simone Weil's "doctrine of attention" as an interpretative lens, I explain how Green uses literary fiction to outline an alternative to abstract theological "solutions" to the horror of child cancer. Through intertextual connections to Infinite Jest and The Brothers Karamazov, Green implies that a focus on individual suffering is the basis for true compassion, translating the theological vision of "attentive love" presented by Foster Wallace and Dostoevsky for contemporary readers.
ISSN:1703-289X
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and popular culture