Dad Character Analysis in They Both Die at the End

Mateo’s dad has been in a coma in the hospital for two weeks when Mateo receives his call from Death-Cast. Dad had many hopes for the future, but few came true. He lost his wife, Mateo’s mom, when she gave birth to Mateo; Dad raised Mateo on his own. Dad also hoped that Mateo would go to a college that wasn’t online and that Mateo would one day have kids and pass down the family name—but with Mateo’s impending death, neither of these things will happen. Regardless, Dad and Mateo had a close and loving relationship. Dad loved making lists and thought they were extremely funny, though Mateo insists they weren’t. In a game that Rufus and Mateo play in which they talk about their future as though it’s the past, Mateo says he got a tattoo of a seahorse to honor Dad—Dad always thought of himself as akin to a male seahorse, which raises its babies alone. By the end of the novel, Dad still hasn’t woken up. Mateo leaves Dad a photo of them in Dad’s hospital room and writes a note on the back. After Mateo dies, Rufus returns to Dad’s room and adds a note, introducing himself and leaving his Instagram username so that Dad can follow Mateo and Rufus’s journey on their End Day—and so that he can learn that Mateo was gay.

Dad Quotes in They Both Die at the End

The They Both Die at the End quotes below are all either spoken by Dad or refer to Dad. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

).

Fast-forward five years when Death-Cast came into the picture and suddenly everyone was awake at their own funerals. Having the chance to say goodbye before you die is an incredible opportunity, but isn’t that time better spent actually living? Maybe I would feel differently if I could count on people showing up to my funeral. If I had more friends than I do fingers.

Related Characters: Mateo Torrez (speaker), Lidia, Dad

Page Number and Citation: 7

Explanation and Analysis:

Twelve hours ago I received the phone call telling me I’m going to die today. In my own Mateo way, I’ve said tons of goodbyes already [...] but the most important goodbye is the one I said to Past Mateo, who I left behind at home when my Last Friend accompanied me into a world that has it out for us. Rufus has done so much for me and I’m here to help him confront any demons following him [...]

Related Characters: Mateo Torrez (speaker), Rufus Emeterio, Lidia, Dad, Mateo’s Mom

Page Number and Citation: 227

Explanation and Analysis:

“I know there’s no time to waste, but I had to be sure you are who I thought you were. The best thing about dying is your friendship.” I never thought I would find someone I could say words like this to.

Related Characters: Mateo Torrez (speaker), Rufus Emeterio, Dad, Mateo’s Mom

Related Symbols: Mateo’s Birth

Page Number and Citation: 308

Explanation and Analysis:

Dad Quotes in They Both Die at the End

The They Both Die at the End quotes below are all either spoken by Dad or refer to Dad. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

).

Fast-forward five years when Death-Cast came into the picture and suddenly everyone was awake at their own funerals. Having the chance to say goodbye before you die is an incredible opportunity, but isn’t that time better spent actually living? Maybe I would feel differently if I could count on people showing up to my funeral. If I had more friends than I do fingers.

Related Characters: Mateo Torrez (speaker), Lidia, Dad

Page Number and Citation: 7

Explanation and Analysis:

Twelve hours ago I received the phone call telling me I’m going to die today. In my own Mateo way, I’ve said tons of goodbyes already [...] but the most important goodbye is the one I said to Past Mateo, who I left behind at home when my Last Friend accompanied me into a world that has it out for us. Rufus has done so much for me and I’m here to help him confront any demons following him [...]

Related Characters: Mateo Torrez (speaker), Rufus Emeterio, Lidia, Dad, Mateo’s Mom

Page Number and Citation: 227

Explanation and Analysis:

“I know there’s no time to waste, but I had to be sure you are who I thought you were. The best thing about dying is your friendship.” I never thought I would find someone I could say words like this to.

Related Characters: Mateo Torrez (speaker), Rufus Emeterio, Dad, Mateo’s Mom

Related Symbols: Mateo’s Birth

Page Number and Citation: 308

Explanation and Analysis: