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

Chapter 75: Seven – Standing Up to Racism

⚠️ 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

Mrs. Livermore returns a test and announces she is grading on a curve because she believes “Hispanics are not comfortable in educational settings.” Susie Byrd immediately challenges the statement, asking if she read it in a KKK newsletter. Mrs. Livermore retaliates, calling Susie’s views extreme. Susie then lists specific racist comments Mrs. Livermore has made throughout the term, including a remark about sombreros to a Hispanic student. When Susie calls her a “racist bitch,” Ari Mendoza speaks up in agreement and demands an apology on behalf of Hispanic students and his mother, a schoolteacher. Another student, Chuy Gomez, gives Mrs. Livermore the finger as they are marched to the principal’s office.

Principal Robertson hears the case. Mrs. Livermore demands suspension but relents, saying she just wants the students out of her classroom. Susie points out her perfect attendance and grades make suspension difficult. Robertson laughs, then decides to call the parents and assign the three students to study hall, with grading handled by himself. They escape suspension but are removed from her class.

Key Events

  • Mrs. Livermore’s racist rationale: She states she curves grades because Hispanics are uncomfortable in school, framing it as helpful.
  • Susie’s confrontation: Susie challenges the statement by mentioning the KKK and then enumerates specific racist remarks Mrs. Livermore has made, including a “Happy José” tortilla comment.
  • Ari’s intervention: Ari speaks up to back Susie and requests an apology for Hispanic students and his mother.
  • Chuy’s gesture: Chuy gives the middle finger as they leave the classroom.
  • The principal’s hearing: Mrs. Livermore insists the students be removed; Susie defends her own record; Robertson assigns study hall and takes over grading, avoiding suspension.

Character Development

  • Ari Mendoza: Ari steps into a public, vocal role for the first time, speaking on behalf of his community and defending his mother’s profession. This marks a shift from his earlier tendency to stay quiet.
  • Susie Byrd: Susie emerges as a fearless ally who refuses to let racism slide, even when it doesn’t directly target her. Her intelligence and attendance record give her leverage.
  • Chuy Gomez: Though his contribution is brief, Chuy shows solidarity through a risky, direct act of defiance.
  • Mrs. Livermore: She reveals the subtle, paternalistic racism that can operate in classrooms, believing her condescension is kindness.
  • Principal Robertson: He is caught between supporting a teacher and the clear evidence of bias, ultimately choosing a compromise that avoids real accountability.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Racism in Education: The chapter illustrates how systemic bias can hide behind “good intentions,” such as grading curves based on racial stereotypes rather than actual need.
  • Allyship and Moral Courage: Susie and Ari act as allies for Hispanic students, and Ari explicitly invokes his mother’s identity as a teacher to demand respect.
  • Institutional Complicity: Principal Robertson’s response—removing the students but not reprimanding the teacher—shows how schools often protect problematic staff over students.
  • The “Happy José” Comment: This symbol of stereotyping is used by Susie to demonstrate the pattern of Mrs. Livermore’s microaggressions.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Ari’s sense of agency. He no longer merely observes injustice; he speaks out publicly. It also deepens the novel’s exploration of what it means to be a young Mexican American man navigating a world that expects him to be either invisible or defiant. The scene shows that change often comes from collective action—Ari, Susie, and Chuy each contribute in different ways. It also raises uncomfortable questions about the limits of institutional justice, as Mrs. Livermore likely continues teaching without consequences.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Susie say she can’t be thrown out of school?
    Susie points out her high grade-point average and perfect attendance record, making any suspension difficult to justify.

  2. How does Ari use his mother’s profession to strengthen his argument?
    Ari mentions that his mother is a schoolteacher, so when he asks for an apology “on behalf of all your Hispanic students, and on behalf my mother,” he personalizes the betrayal and elevates the request beyond himself.

  3. What is the significance of Principal Robertson’s final decision?
    By removing the students from Mrs. Livermore’s class and taking over grading himself, Robertson avoids directly punishing the teacher while still protecting the students’ academic standing. The compromise shows that the system is willing to manage symptoms of racism but not cure the cause.

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