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 writes a list of all the things going on in his life. He’s studying for his driver’s license and for college, lifting weights, running with Legs, reading Dante’s letters, arguing with Gina and Susie, thinking about Ileana, looking through microfilm, writing, having bad dreams, and working at the Charcoaler. Ari thinks that he’s busy, which is better than bored, and he likes having money. He goes to one party just to see if Ileana is there, but Gina and Susie catch him on the way out. Gina accuses Ari of having never kissed a girl, and points out that he never will if he leaves parties early. She says that Ileana is playing with Ari, and Ari flips her off as he leaves.
Again, Ileana represents one version of adulthood for Ari in which he follows the role of a typical heterosexual young man. It’s a version that intrigues him, but the work it takes to actually pursue Ileana suggests that Ari might be looking in the wrong places for emotional connection. While it’s unclear if Gina is correct about Ileana, it’s possible that she truly is looking out for Ari and wants to make sure that Ileana doesn’t burn him. This shows the reader that Ari is mistaken in his low opinion of himself, since it’s clear that others value and care about him.
Themes
Gina and Susie start stopping by the Charcoaler around closing time on Fridays. They order food and then pester Ari when he’s done with work. They drink beer sometimes, and Gina continues to ask Ari who he’s kissed. One night, he says that she must want him to kiss her, which Susie says is mean. Gina drops the subject. Sometimes, Ileana finds Ari at school and Ari feels like he’s falling in love with her. Ari is generally happy at school. He likes Mr. Blocker but struggles in his art class.
The fact that Ari enjoys his English class with Mr. Blocker implies that he’s becoming more comfortable with intellectual pursuits, and specifically with writing. As he starts to put together this part of his identity, he’s then able to feel more affection for Ileana. This suggests that as Ari becomes more comfortable with himself, he’ll be able to open up more to other people.
Themes
