Gus's unlit cigarettes represent power and control over his life. He believes, "You put the killing thing right between your teeth, but you don't give it the power to do its killing."
The Funky Bones art sculpture is a reminder of death. Although the children view it as a fun playground, they are overlooking the fact that death is all around them.
The grenade symbolizes pain and suffering. Hazel sees herself as a grenade, guaranteed to bring an explosion of pain to all those who love her. It is just a matter of time.
HAZEL'S SWING SET
SYMBOLS IN THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
AMSTERDAM
The swing set is a symbol of youth and childhood innocence. The swing set reminds both Hazel and Augustus of the carefree life they can never return to.
Amsterdam represents freedom for Hazel & Augustus. There, they are given the liberty to walk around by themselves like adults. For a few days, they escape the doctors and tests and simply enjoy themselves.