For this novel study our class read the novel “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Saenz. This book explores the struggle of teenagers through the relationship between family and friends as well as finding one’s identity. The two main protagonist of Mexican background both faces conflicts through out the novel such as coping with a brother in jail, father suffering from post war trauma and struggling to find their sexual preferences and experiment with their feelings.
Saenz uses rhetorical question when Aristotle’s dad questioned him, “You saved his life. Why do you suppose you did that? Why do you suppose that, in an instant, without even thinking, you dove across the street and shoved Dante out of the way of a moving car? You think that just happened? I think you couldn’t stand the thought of losing him. You just couldn't. Why would you risk your own life to save Dante if you didn’t love him?”. This shows that Dante’s parents are very clear and understands Aristotles identity and sexual preference and is not ashamed of him.
Secondly, the use of personification when Aristotle says to himself, “This was what was wrong with me. All this time I had been trying to figure out the…show more content… Imagine that. Aristotle Mendoza, a free man. I wasn’t afraid anymore. I thought of the look on my mother’s face when I told her I was ashamed. I thought of that look of love and compassion that she wore as she looked at me.” This further emphasises the idea Saenz is trying to portray of never being ashamed of who you truly are and finding out secrets about yourself is something everyone does and struggle while being a teenager. Finding out who you are is never something you should be ashamed of or hide about. This quote is also very important because Aristotle is now totally happy with finding out his true identity, sexual preference and his parents are not ashamed of who he
