Chapter summaries Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Chapter Thirty-Eight Summary: Desert Dance and New Beginnings

⚠️ 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 group abandons the party to go to the desert—the special place that belongs to Ari and Dante. Friends including Cassandra, Gina, Susie, Cricket, Hector, Elena, and Julio follow. Cassandra brings a boom box and they dance under the stars. Ari introduces Elena to Susie, bonding over feminism. They reveal Cricket’s identity as the hero who threw a milkshake at a homophobic protester, and the group celebrates him with a chant. Dante bravely asks Julio to dance with him, and Julio accepts, smiling. Everyone dances until sunrise. The chapter ends with a reflection on commencement, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Key Events

  • Ari and Dante decide to leave the party and take their friends to the desert.
  • Cassandra brings a boom box, and the group dances to music from a radio station.
  • Ari introduces Susie and Elena, and they connect over feminism.
  • The group “outs” Cricket as the guy who threw a milkshake at a hateful protestor, and Elena proclaims him a hero.
  • They start a chant: “We love Cricket!” celebrating him for the first time.
  • Dante asks Julio to dance with another guy; Julio agrees and wears a huge smile.
  • They all dance until the sun rises, with Ari noting the dawn shining on the faces of the people he loves.
  • The chapter closes with thoughts of commencement and the engine of the race roaring.

Character Development

  • Ari: He is now fully comfortable being himself in front of a group of friends. He introduces people to each other, shows pride in his relationship with Dante, and observes the beauty of his community.
  • Dante: His boldness shines when he asks Julio to dance. He breaks a social barrier not just for himself but for a friend, showing his inclusive spirit.
  • Julio: Julio steps out of his comfort zone and dances with another guy for the first time. His genuine smile suggests a moment of liberation and acceptance.
  • Cricket: He is revealed as the quiet hero. His modesty (“I’m not anybody’s hero”) contrasts with how others celebrate him, highlighting his humility.
  • Elena: She quickly bonds with Susie over feminism and takes charge in celebrating Cricket, showing her outspoken, supportive nature.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Chosen Family: The desert gathering is a deliberate creation of a family-like community. Friends become the people who celebrate each other unconditionally.
  • Dancing as Freedom: Dancing under the stars represents liberation from societal constraints. Dante and Ari dance unafraid; Julio dances with another guy for the first time.
  • The Desert as Sanctuary: The desert has been a private haven for Ari and Dante. Now they share it with friends, symbolizing trust and the expansion of their safe space.
  • Commencement: The word “commencement” closes the chapter, framing graduation not as an end but as a beginning. It ties the whole chapter—dancing until dawn—to the idea of starting fresh.
  • Heroism and Recognition: Cricket is celebrated for his act of defiance. The scene underscores that ordinary people can be heroes and deserve to be honored.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as a joyful climax to the novel’s themes of belonging and self-acceptance. It shows Ari and Dante fully integrated into a supportive community where they can love openly. The celebration of Cricket connects back to earlier plot points about standing up to bigotry, and the dance with Julio extends the novel’s vision of a world where everyone can be themselves. The chapter ends with a powerful metaphor of starting engines, setting up the final chapters’ focus on the future.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Dante ask Julio to dance, and what does Julio’s reaction reveal about his character?
    Dante wants to extend the freedom he and Ari feel to a friend. Julio’s willingness and his “million-dollar smile” show that he is ready to embrace new experiences and perhaps question his own boundaries.

  2. How does the group’s celebration of Cricket relate to the novel’s treatment of heroism?
    Cricket is celebrated not for a grand act but for a small, brave gesture against hate. The novel suggests that heroism can be quiet and personal, and that every person deserves to be recognized in their moment of courage.

  3. What does the “commencement” metaphor signify at the end of the chapter?
    It signifies that graduation is not a farewell but a starting line. The engines roaring and the phrase “on your marks, get set…” imply that the characters are about to race into their futures, carrying the strength of their friendships with them.

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