Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Identity, Ethnicity, and Masculinity
Silence and Trauma vs. Communication
Family and Coming of Age
Intellectualism and Emotion vs. Physical Strength
Summary
Analysis
Ari looks at Dad, and Dad says that it didn’t bother him either; Aunt Ophelia was kind and decent. It did matter to the rest of the family. Ari sees that Dad is angry at Mom’s family, and asks again if Ophelia’s sexuality didn’t matter to Dad. Dad points out that if they’d cared, they wouldn’t have let Ari stay with her. Mom asks if she can show Ari pictures of Bernardo when they get home. Ari starts to cry and Mom says that she thinks she hurt Ari. Ari says he’s crying because he’s happy.
Mom’s offer to tell Ari about Bernardo suggests that Aunt Ophelia’s death is a tipping point for the family. Now that Mom sees that silence isn’t helping anyone and has instead hurt Ari, she’s willing to reevaluate her actions and make choices that will help her connect better with her family. This will ideally help Ari understand his family and his place within it, and consequently come of age.
Themes
