ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE

ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE

HOW DOES HAVING SOMETHING TO CARE ABOUT AFFECT YOUR LIFE?

CONFLICT • Dante falls in love with Ari during the course of the story • Ari doesn’t know if he feels the same way • Person vs. Self

INTRODUCTION • “One summer night I fell asleep, hoping the world would be different when I woke. ” • “I was fifteen, bored and miserable. ” • Ari does not have any close friends

INITIATING INCIDENT • When Ari went to the pool he met Dante • We learn Ari’s dad is fighting his own personal battles from war • Ari doesn’t have the most communicative relationship with his father but has a good relationship with his mom • We also learn Ari has an older brother that is jail but his parents do not talk about Bernardo

RISING ACTION • One summer night, the two of them were walking • A car was about to hit Dante but then Ari jumped out and pushed him out of the way • Ari breaks both of his legs • Before Ari didn’t have anyone or anything to care about, now he has someone that he would risk his life for

RISING ACTION • Dante moves to Chicago temporarily • When he returns he tells Ari he is certain he is gay • Dante kisses Ari but Ari still does not feel anything more for Dante

RISING ACTION • Ari receives a red 1957 Chevy pickup for his birthday • It is important to him because it gives him freedom • Shows his parents trust him

RISING ACTION • Ari’s parents tell him about Bernardo • Bernardo had paid for a prostitute but found out they were transgender • He then killed them with his bare fists • Bernardo also killed someone else while in juvenile detention

CLIMAX • Dante is seen kissing another boy and he is beaten up by a group of boys • Dante is in the hospital with a bruised eye, swollen face and broken ribs • Ari finds one of the perpetrators and breaks his nose as an act of revenge • Turning point because Ari starts to realize how much Dante means to him

FALLING ACTION • Ari disapproves of Daniel (the boy Dante was kissing) and Dante gets mad at him • Dante stops seeing Daniel because he is only interested in Ari

RESOLUTION • Ari’s mom calls a family meeting • His dad opens up about war and why it has effected him so much • His parents confront Ari and tell him that he has been in love with Dante • Ari realizes he was in love with Dante the whole time but he feels ashamed

ENDING • Ari and Dante drive out to the desert • Ari kisses Dante and tells him he has the same feelings for him

CHARACTERS • Dynamic - Ari: More reserved and shy, he is still trying to figure out his own body and mind • Mostly Static - Dante: More outgoing, risk taking, emotional • Before Dante, Ari had no friends and he felt there was no meaning of life • Now Ari has someone he cares about and is willin • Both are fifteen

THEME • Change and pain is part of growing up • You should night fight personal battles alone • It is okay to be yourself and open up to others • Mexican heritage

SYMBOL • The desert: A place of freedom, no judgement or obligations • The stars: A time to reflect on your life and everything around you • Sparrows: Innocence and change

• Summer of 1987 • El Paso, USA SETTING • Both Ari and Dante’s houses • The desert

“THEY CRACKED MORE THAN HIS RIBS. ” • Ari said this after Dante had been beaten up • I think he said this because Dante seemed empty when Ari visited him • Pg. 325

WHAT TO LEARN FROM THIS NOVEL • Growing up isn’t always easy but you don’t need to make it hard • The thing you are looking for may be in front of you, you just have to reach for it