Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

by

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: Part Four, Chapter Six Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Ari gets a 1957 red pickup truck with chrome trim for his birthday. It’s beautiful and he feels inadequate as he thanks and hugs Dad. He doesn’t get a picture of Bernardo up on the walls, however. Ari sits in the truck and wishes he could take the truck out with Dante and Bernardo rather than attend his party. He thinks that he does miss Dante and starts to think about Ileana.
The pickup helps Ari begin to conceptualize who he’d like to be as an adult. His desire to have a photo of Bernardo on display does this as well, but it gives him something to aspire to: someone who’s more communicative and engages with his parents as people, which may encourage them to share more.
Themes
Identity, Ethnicity, and Masculinity Theme Icon
Silence and Trauma vs. Communication Theme Icon
Family and Coming of Age Theme Icon