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 Sixteen Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Ari decides to go swimming and ignores the lifeguards. He swims laps and remembers the day he met Dante. When he gets out of the pool, a girl waves at Ari and says that she goes to Austin High too. She’s a sophomore. They laugh together, but Ari walks away and heads for Dante’s house. Sam opens the door and says that Dante is doing better. He hesitates and says that Daniel is over right now. Noticing the look on Ari’s face, Sam says that Ari must not like Daniel. He encourages Ari to forgive, but Ari angrily leaves.
Sam’s advice to Ari to forgive Daniel again reinforces that Ari is still more idealistic than will be useful in the real world. Brushing off the girl at the pool and ignoring the lifeguards continues to show that Ari actually isn’t interested in women, and suggests that part of his dislike for Daniel stems from jealousy.
Themes
Identity, Ethnicity, and Masculinity Theme Icon