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 has to work on New Year’s Eve. Mom isn’t happy, as Ari will miss the family celebration. Ari says that he’s glad that 1987 is over and reminds her of the “small incident in the rain.” They toast to 1988 and Mom says that Ari is looking more and more like an adult. Work isn’t busy, so the staff sings along with their favorite songs of the year. Gina and Susie come through right before closing. When Ari takes their order out, they invite him to a party. Ari agrees to meet them there. He goes home first and is surprised that Mom lets him go. At the party, Ileana kisses Ari for a long time and then leaves. Gina appears right after. They hug and laugh.
For Mom, the new year makes it abundantly clear that Ari isn’t a boy anymore. Though she doesn’t know about Ileana, Ari’s kiss with her reinforces this and heralds his coming sexual maturity. The fact that Mom is happy and encouraging about Ari going to the party, even when she likely knows that there will be alcohol there, shows that she’s willing to overlook risks if she thinks that it’ll make Ari happier and more connected to the people around him.
Themes
