Chapter Twenty Summary: A Writer’s Confession and a Dive Into Trust
⚠️ 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 a new substitute teacher, Mrs. Cecilia Lozano, who replaces the previous instructor. Her warm, playful manner instantly wins over the class, in stark contrast to the strict Mrs. Livermore. As part of an icebreaker, students share what they want to be when they grow up. Susie Byrd announces her congressional ambitions with a humorous platform, and other classmates share lighthearted answers. When it’s Ari’s turn, he surprises himself and everyone by saying he wants to be a writer. He clarifies that he wants to write stories about people living on the border. Mrs. Lozano encourages him, and later Susie promises to keep the secret, even from Gina.
Spring break arrives. Ari reflects on what the break means for his peers—simple hanging out, not lavish trips. He thinks about the commencement ahead and the uncertain beginning of a new life. That night, Ari has a vivid dream. He and Dante are running from a hostile crowd. Dante struggles to keep up, but when Ari takes his hand, he can run too. They reach a cliff above crashing waves. Dante insists they dive together, and Ari trusts him. They dive and surface in warm water, and Ari sees his father smiling and waving from a sandy beach. Ari wakes feeling alive, grateful for Dante.
The chapter ends with Ari and Dante playing with Sophocles, Ari’s dog. Ari watches the puppy’s pure delight, hoping the world will one day hear the dog’s joyful voice.
Key Events
- Mrs. Lozano becomes the new teacher and wins over the class with her humor and kindness.
- Students share career aspirations; Susie wants to run for Congress on a radical platform.
- Ari announces that he wants to be a writer, focusing on border stories.
- Susie agrees to keep Ari’s ambition a secret from everyone, including Gina.
- Spring break begins; Ari contemplates graduation and the unknown future.
- Ari dreams of running with Dante, being chased, then diving off a cliff together into warm water, where Ari’s father waves from a beach.
- Ari wakes feeling alive and credits Dante for that feeling.
- Ari and Dante play with Sophocles, whose joyful sounds delight them.
Character Development
Ari Mendoza – This chapter marks a breakthrough in Ari’s self‑understanding. He publicly admits—for the first time—that he wants to be a writer, a profession he had never considered aloud. The dream reveals his growing trust in Dante: even though Ari fears diving, he does so because Dante asks. The dream’s ending with his father smiling suggests a deep reconciliation and hope. Ari also shows vulnerability by asking Susie to keep his secret.
Susie Byrd – Already established as ambitious and outspoken, Susie’s response to Ari’s confession shows her loyalty. She treats the secret like a gift, reinforcing her supportive friendship.
Mrs. Lozano – She demonstrates that a teacher can transform a classroom atmosphere. Her easygoing, encouraging style contrasts with the previous teacher and allows students like Ari to speak openly.
Dante Quintana – Though Dante appears only in Ari’s dream and at the end playing with Sophocles, his role is vital. In the dream, he is the calm leader who guides Ari into the water; in reality, his quiet presence anchors Ari’s sense of being alive.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The Diving Motif – The dream sequence reimagines the title’s metaphor. Diving into the unknown, trusting another person, and emerging into warm, safe water symbolize embracing risk in a relationship. The crowd chasing them represents societal hostility toward their love.
Writing as Identity – Ari’s decision to call himself a writer is a major step in owning his voice. The border settings he wants to write about root his art in his community, linking personal expression to cultural heritage.
Teacher Influence – Mrs. Lozano’s approach highlights how an educator’s empathy can empower students. Her simple encouragement makes Ari feel seen, contrasting with the suppression he may have felt earlier.
Delight and Innocence – Sophocles’s delight in being alive mirrors the raw joy Ari and Dante share after the dream. The puppy’s uninhibited sound stands for the pure, unguarded love the boys are trying to protect.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Ari’s self‑discovery. His spoken wish to be a writer marks a shift from passive observation to active creation. The dream provides a symbolic blueprint for the couple’s future: they will face hostility but can survive by trusting each other and diving together. The image of Ari’s father on the beach signals a growing inner peace and the possibility of family acceptance. Finally, the chapter reminds us that small, everyday moments of joy—playing with a puppy—are just as important as grand declarations.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Ari ask Susie to keep his writing dream a secret?
Ari is still uncertain about revealing a vulnerable part of himself. By asking Susie not to tell Gina or anyone, he controls how and when he shares this new identity. It shows he trusts Susie with something fragile, strengthening their bond.
2. What does the dream reveal about Ari’s relationship with Dante?
The dream shows that Ari fully trusts Dante even when the situation seems dangerous. Dante’s calm certainty (“We have to dive. Just dive when I dive.”) leads Ari to follow. The warm water and his father’s smile afterward suggest that this trust leads to safety and acceptance.
3. How does Mrs. Lozano’s teaching style affect the class?
She creates a non‑judgmental atmosphere where students can speak honestly. Her humor and warmth make them “fall in love” with her. This new environment allows Ari to share his ambition without fear of mockery, which he likely would have faced under the previous teacher.