Chapter Thirty-Seven: 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 at a party celebrating students who made the top ten percent of the class. Ari is present, feeling happy in a quiet way while his friends Cassandra, Dante, Susie, and Gina celebrate loudly. He wanders into the backyard and notices someone crying behind a bush—Julio from the school’s welcoming committee. Ari approaches and learns that Julio feels his life is unbearable and that he feels like a freak. Recognizing the signs, Ari decides to trust the moment and reveals that he is gay. Julio, stunned, admits that he is gay too and that Ari is the first person he has ever told. Ari encourages Julio to confide in his best friends, Elena and Hector, who are inside dancing. Julio hesitates but eventually agrees. Ari brings Elena and Hector outside, where Julio tearfully tells them. They respond with immediate acceptance, hugging him and saying they would never stop loving him. Elena thanks Ari warmly. Alone again, Ari is joined by Dante. They retreat to a corner of the yard, share a kiss, and exchange playful remarks about dreams and reality. Ari reflects on the moment and wonders if he will always have to hide and if he will ever stop raining on his own parade.
Key Events
- Ari steps outside during the party and finds Julio crying behind a bush.
- Julio confesses his misery and his fear that others would hate him if they knew the truth.
- Ari reveals to Julio that he is gay.
- Julio, in turn, discloses to Ari that he is gay and has never told anyone before.
- Ari brings Elena and Hector from inside the party to speak with Julio.
- Julio comes out to Elena and Hector, who embrace him with love and forgiveness.
- Elena thanks Ari and says she will love him forever for his help.
- Dante finds Ari, and they share a kiss while hidden behind a bush.
- Ari and Dante exchange lighthearted words about dreams.
- Ari ends the chapter with a private reflection on hiding and self-criticism.
Character Development
- Ari (Aristotle Mendoza): Demonstrates remarkable empathy and courage by voluntarily sharing his sexual identity to reassure a distressed classmate. He takes decisive action to bring Julio’s friends into the situation, showing trust in friendship and a growing comfort with his own identity.
- Julio: Moves from a state of isolated shame and despair to the relief of being fully accepted by his closest friends. His decision to come out marks a pivotal step in his personal growth.
- Elena and Hector: Prove themselves loyal and supportive friends. Their immediate, unconditional acceptance of Julio reinforces the theme that true friendship endures.
- Dante: Appears only briefly but reaffirms his romantic connection with Ari, providing tenderness and warmth that contrasts with Ari’s internal doubts.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Coming Out and Vulnerability: The chapter centers on two acts of coming out. Ari’s disclosure is strategic and selfless; Julio’s is fearful but ultimately liberating. Both illustrate the risk and relief of revealing one’s true self.
- Friendship as Sanctuary: Elena and Hector’s response demonstrates that genuine friendship offers safety regardless of sexual orientation. Ari’s role as a facilitator underscores the idea that friends can create a supportive space.
- Courage vs. Shame: Julio’s tears are described as arising from “inarticulate shame.” Ari counters that shame with a direct call to bravery: “you’re going to have to learn to be brave.” The chapter shows courage as a learned, communal act.
- Hiding and Visibility: The images of a hidden spot behind a bush—first for Julio’s tears, later for Ari and Dante’s kiss—contrast with the public celebration inside. Ari wonders if he will always hide, linking the motif to his ongoing self-acceptance.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Thirty-Seven is a turning point for Ari’s compassion and leadership outside his immediate circle. By helping a virtual stranger come out, Ari demonstrates the empathy he has gained throughout the novel. The successful coming out of Julio—and the unconditional support from his friends—offers a hopeful counterpoint to any fears about rejection. This moment also deepens Ari’s internal conflict: even as he facilitates openness for someone else, he questions his own ability to live without hiding. The chapter strengthens the book’s core message about love, trust, and the power of community.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Ari decide to reveal he is gay to Julio, a near stranger?
Ari recognizes the depth of Julio’s despair and understands that sharing his own experience might give Julio permission to open up. He acts on instinct, feeling that it is “normal” to trust the situation rather than a brave or exceptional choice. -
How do Elena and Hector react to Julio’s confession, and what does this reveal about their characters?
They immediately embrace Julio, tell him they would never stop loving him, and even joke about kicking his ass for not trusting them. Their reaction reveals that they are fiercely loyal, supportive, and ready to protect their friend. -
What does Ari’s final reflection—”I wondered if I would ever learn to stop raining on my own parade”—suggest about his state of mind?
Ari acknowledges his tendency to undermine his own happiness. Even after a joyful kiss with Dante, he worries about a lifetime of hiding. This line shows he is aware of his self-doubt but still struggling to overcome it.