Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Character Analysis

Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza

The novel’s protagonist. Over the course of the novel, Ari grows from age 15 to almost 17. While he develops in a number of important ways, a few things remain the same: he desperately wants… read analysis of Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza

Dante Quintana

Ari’s best friend. When they meet, Dante is skinny, squeaky, and a bit wheezy, but he grows into a tall and handsome young man over the course of the novel. He loves swimming and… read analysis of Dante Quintana

Dad

Ari’s dad. He’s a Vietnam War veteran and works as a mailman. Dad is a quiet and reserved person, which frustrates Ari—Ari desperately wants to know something about who Dad is on the inside… read analysis of Dad

Mom

Ari’s mom. She’s a high school government teacher and though Ari finds her annoying at times, he adores her. They have a more open relationship simply because Mom is more communicative than Dad is… read analysis of Mom

Sam Quintana

Dante’s dad. Ari refers to him as Mr. Quintana for most of the novel. Mr. Quintana is an English professor and like Dante, he’s bright, open, and affectionate. Though Ari thinks that Mr. Quintana… read analysis of Sam Quintana

Mrs. Quintana

Dante’s mom. She’s a therapist, and according to Dante, she’s “inscrutable”—that is, she’s not as openly emotional or communicative as Mr. Quintana or Dante are. Dante thus finds it hard to read her. Despite… read analysis of Mrs. Quintana

Bernardo Mendoza

Ari’s older brother who has been in prison for the last decade. Mom, Dad, Cecelia, and Sylvia don’t talk about Bernardo except occasionally in passing, so Ari has no real sense… read analysis of Bernardo Mendoza

Aunt Ophelia

Ari’s aunt who lives in Tucson. She never appears in person in the novel, but Ari fondly remembers staying with her when he was four years old, and she’s his favorite aunt. At the… read analysis of Aunt Ophelia

Gina Navarro

One of Ari’s classmates. It’s possible that she has a crush on Ari, but this is never substantiated and is just a suspicion of Ari’s. She hangs out often with Susie Byrd. Both… read analysis of Gina Navarro

Susie Byrd

One of Ari’s classmates. She hangs out often with Gina Navarro. Both Gina and Susie are annoying to Ari, as they want to know about his accident and hang out with him often… read analysis of Susie Byrd

Julian Enriquez

A nasty and homophobic classmate of Ari’s. Ari has known Julian since they were kids who played sports together, and he’s never liked him. Julian is one of four teen boys who attack Daniel… read analysis of Julian Enriquez

Legs

A mutt that Ari adopts on the day he gets his casts off and can walk again after the accident. Though Mom isn’t thrilled to have a dog around and insists she needs to stay… read analysis of Legs

Ileana

A girl a few years older than Ari. He has a crush on her and eventually manages to kiss her at a party. Both Susie and Gina tell Ari that Ileana is just playing… read analysis of Ileana

Dr. Charles

Ari’s surgeon. He’s relatively young and looks like a former jock. Dr. Charles doesn’t buy that Ari saved Dante out of instinct, but he doesn’t press Ari especially hard to get anything more about… read analysis of Dr. Charles

Daniel

A gay boy in El Paso who is Dante’s kissing partner. He and Dante meet at the drugstore where they both work. Though Dante insists to Ari that Daniel is attractive and nice, Ari… read analysis of Daniel

Minor Characters

Charlie Escobedo

One of Ari’s classmates whom Ari used to like, but in the present, is very interested in experimenting with drugs. He and Ari have a distant friendship, but they stop hanging out when Ari refuses to try heroin with him and Charlie uses a homophobic slur.

Franny

Aunt Ophelia’s long-term partner. Ari remembers her fondly from when he stayed with Aunt Ophelia as a child. Mom confesses that Franny died of cancer several years before the start of the novel, and that she never told Ari about it.

Mr. Rodriguez

The owner of the body shop in El Paso where Julian works. He knows Dad and so knows Ari too, and he’s very displeased when Ari seeks out Julian and beats him up.

Mr. Blocker

Ari’s junior year English teacher. He’s a new teacher, so he’s bright and idealistic, and he likes making his students write.

Cecelia

Ari’s older sister; Sylvia’s twin. Cecelia and Sylvia are twelve years older than Ari, and treat him more like a child than a sibling.

Sylvia

Ari’s older sister; Cecelia’s twin. Sylvia and Cecelia are twelve years older than Ari, and treat him more like a child than a sibling.

Emma

A girl in Chicago who is Dante’s first kiss.