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 to Dante that he got his driver’s license and took Mom and Dad out to lunch. The best part about getting his license was driving out to the desert, listening to the radio, and looking at the stars. It was beautiful and there was no light pollution.
The freedom of being a licensed driver allows Ari to feel more independent and surer of himself, and thus more comfortable speaking true things to Dante. He shows here that being alone doesn’t have to be bad; it can be meaningful and not harmful.
Themes
