Chapter 114: Chapter Five Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with Dante on the phone, talking energetically about nearing the end of high school. He tells Ari they are “kicking ass” and almost done. Ari teases him for sounding like everyone else, but Dante insists he’s excited to leave their all-boys Catholic school. When Ari jokingly notes that Dante likes guys, Dante responds that he doesn’t like anyone from Cathedral—only a guy from Austin High. Ari asks Dante to tell him about this guy, but Dante refuses, saying he doesn’t kiss and tell. They exchange affectionate insults; Dante says he’s crazy about Ari, and Ari replies that Dante is just plain crazy. Internally, Ari admits that he is the crazy one—madly in love with Dante. He reflects that love is not about thinking; it is a bodily state of desire that makes him mad. He also confesses that he is mad with grief over his father’s death. Being madly in love, he realizes, gives him some stability amid that grief.
Key Events
- Dante calls Ari and talks excitedly about nearly finishing high school.
- Ari teases Dante about his talkativeness and his preference for guys.
- Dante reveals he likes a guy from Austin High but refuses to give details.
- The two exchange playful banter about being crazy for each other.
- Ari internally acknowledges that he is “madly in love” and also “mad with grief” for his father.
- Ari concludes that his love for Dante helps stabilize him through his sorrow.
Character Development
Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza: This chapter deepens Ari’s emotional self-awareness. He moves from deflecting affection through jokes to owning his feelings: he is crazy for Dante. More strikingly, Ari openly admits that grief over his father is a constant presence—he wakes with it every day. His love for Dante is not a cure but a counterweight that gives him stability. This dual admission of love and grief marks a significant step in Ari’s willingness to be vulnerable.
Dante Quintana: Dante remains the playful, verbally expressive partner. He initiates the call, talks enthusiastically about their future after high school, and confidently proclaims his affection. His refusal to “kiss and tell” shows he values privacy even while being open with Ari. Dante’s humor and warmth provide the catalyst for Ari’s internal revelations.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Love as madness: Ari directly engages with the idea of being “madly in love.” He redefines it not as a romantic cliché but as a real, overwhelming state of desire that overtakes the body. The chapter presents love as a kind of beneficial insanity that offsets the pain of grief.
Grief and stability: The chapter draws a clear parallel between two forms of madness: love and grief. Ari admits he is “mad with grief” for his father. Rather than letting grief consume him, he finds that being madly in love provides a stabilizing counterforce. This suggests that intense emotions, when balanced, can help a person endure loss.
Endings and new beginnings: Dante’s excitement about finishing high school symbolizes a transition. Leaving the all-boys Catholic school marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of adulthood. The phone conversation itself, intimate and casual, hints that their relationship will continue beyond school.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 114 is a turning point in Ari’s emotional honesty. For the first time, he explicitly names both his love for Dante and his grief for his father in the same breath. This chapter shows that Ari’s growth is not linear—he still struggles with pain—but he now recognizes that love can coexist with sorrow and even help him cope. It also underscores the strength of Ari and Dante’s bond: their playful banter is a vehicle for deep connection. The chapter sets up the emotional stakes for the remainder of the novel, as Ari learns to navigate his feelings without shame.
Study Questions and Answers
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What does Ari mean when he says he is “mad with grief” and “madly in love,” and how does he view the relationship between these two states?
Ari uses “mad” to describe the intensity of his emotions. He feels grief so strongly it feels like madness, and his love for Dante is similarly overwhelming. However, he realizes that being madly in love gives him a kind of stability that helps him endure the grief. The two “madnesses” balance each other, preventing him from being consumed by either alone. -
How does Dante’s phone call reveal his attitude toward their relationship and toward the future?
Dante is openly excited about finishing high school and starting a new phase of life. He is affectionate with Ari, telling him he is crazy about him, and he jokes about Ari being from Austin High—the school he attends. Dante’s refusal to “kiss and tell” shows he respects their intimacy while still being playful. His energy and enthusiasm set a hopeful tone for their shared future. -
Why does Ari initially deflect Dante’s affection with teasing, and what does his internal admission reveal about his character development?
Ari deflects by calling Dante “crazy” and teasing him, a familiar defense mechanism to avoid vulnerability. But in his internal monologue, Ari admits that he is the one who is crazy—madly in love. This shows that Ari is learning to acknowledge his own feelings, even if he still struggles to express them outwardly. His willingness to name his love and his grief marks significant emotional growth.