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 Six, Chapter Seven Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Dad is gone when Ari gets out of the shower. Ari finds Mom at the kitchen table with Bernardo’s file and a glass of wine. Ari sits down and admits that he drinks beer and isn’t always a good person. Mom opens the envelope and offers Ari a photo of him and Bernardo. Bernardo is handsome and Ari looks happy. Mom says that Ari loved Bernardo, but it hurt too much for her to talk about him. She hands Ari the envelope and says that Bernardo killed someone with his bare hands. She says that it still hurts and always will. Ari reminds her that it’s not her fault, but she says that parents always blame themselves.
Learning that Bernardo killed someone by beating them to death makes it more understandable why Mom had such a reaction to learning that Ari beat up Julian. It likely made her question whether she’d failed at being a mother more than she thinks she already has because of what Bernardo’s actions. This conversation, however, reminds both of them that they can begin to heal by talking about their shared trauma.
Themes
Silence and Trauma vs. Communication Theme Icon
Family and Coming of Age Theme Icon