Chapter 94 (Chapter Twenty-Six) 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
Ari and his father check into a hotel in Austin for their trip to visit Ari's brother in prison. While walking around the state capital, Ari's dad reads a historical marker about Matagorda County, Texas, which in 1856 made it a crime for Mexicans to be in the county. He also mentions the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching, founded in 1893. Ari asks whether homosexuals were lynched, and his father shares that in England homosexuals were burned alive. His father then reflects on love, hate, and gratitude, advising Ari not to let hate rob him of life. Later, in the hotel room, Ari's father tells him that his brother has lost his humanity and that sometimes a father must let a son go. Ari tells his dad he likes him, and his father responds that saying "I like you" can be more meaningful than "I love you."
Key Events
- Ari and his father check into a hotel in Austin for their trip.
- While walking around the state capital, Ari's father reads a historical marker and shares the history of Matagorda County making Mexicans illegal in 1856.
- He also references the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching founded in 1893.
- Ari asks if homosexuals were lynched, and his father tells him that in England they were burned alive.
- His father gives Ari a speech about love, hate, and the importance of greeting each day with gratitude.
- Ari's father messes up Ari's hair, a gesture he had not done since Ari was a boy.
- In the hotel room, Ari thinks about his brother; his father says his brother has lost his humanity and that sometimes you have to let a son go.
- Ari tells his father, "I like you, Dad. I mean, I really like you."
- His father laughs and says that telling someone you like them can be better than telling them you love them.
Character Development
Aristotle (Ari) Mendoza: Ari is vulnerable and reflective throughout this chapter. He carries the weight of his brother's history ("he's lived there rent-free for too many years"), and he seeks reassurance from his father about how to handle that relationship. His confession of liking his father shows a growing emotional openness—he moves beyond the guardedness seen in earlier chapters.
Jaime Mendoza (Ari's father): This chapter deepens Ari's father's role as a thoughtful, historically aware, and emotionally present parent. He shares uncomfortable truths about racism and homophobia without softening them, yet he also offers a philosophy of gratitude and resilience. His admission that he sometimes fails to greet the day with gratitude makes him relatable. His decision to let Ari see his brother—even though he believes the brother has lost his humanity—shows respect for Ari's journey of discovery.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Historical Injustice and Hate: The chapter confronts systemic hate through specific historical examples: the criminalization of Mexicans in Matagorda County and the burning of homosexuals in England. These facts are not just lessons—they contextualize the hate Ari might face as a gay, Mexican-American young man.
Love vs. Liking: The closing exchange subverts the usual hierarchy of love and liking. Ari's father argues that "I like you" can carry more weight than "I love you" because liking implies a choice grounded in genuine appreciation, not just familial obligation. This redefinition suggests that Ari's relationship with his father is built on mutual respect, not mere blood ties.
Letting Go: Ari's father is willing to let go of his older son because the son has lost his humanity. This painful letting go echoes the theme of release found throughout the novel—letting go of guilt, of the past, or of toxic family members in order to move forward.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a quiet but crucial turning point in Ari's journey. It bridges his past trauma (the mysterious brother he has never fully understood) with his present relationship with his father. The historical discussions place Ari's personal struggles within a larger context of systemic hatred, reinforcing that his identity as a gay Mexican-American is not just personal but political. The father's wisdom—especially the idea that sometimes you must let a son go—prepares Ari for the painful encounter ahead. Finally, the chapter offers one of the most tender father-son moments in the novel: the simple admission of liking each other.
Study Questions and Answers
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What historical fact does Ari's father share about Matagorda County, Texas, and why might he choose to share this with Ari during their trip?
Answer: He shares that in 1856, Matagorda County made it illegal for Mexicans to be in the county, meaning any Mexican resident had to leave or be incarcerated. He likely shares this to prepare Ari for the broader context of racism that Ari, as a Mexican-American, may face—and to show that injustice against his community has deep historical roots. -
Ari asks whether homosexuals were lynched. How does his father respond, and what is the significance of that response?
Answer: His father says he is not sure about lynching, but he tells Ari that in England homosexuals were burned alive. The significance is that his father does not shield Ari from the brutal reality of homophobia; instead, he offers a stark historical parallel to the violence that queer people have faced. This honesty honors Ari's courage in asking and validates the seriousness of his question. -
At the end of the chapter, Ari tells his father, "I like you, Dad. I mean, I really like you." Why does his father say that liking someone can be better than loving them?
Answer: His father suggests that "I like you" can be more meaningful than "I love you" because liking implies a choice based on genuine appreciation and admiration, whereas love can sometimes be an obligation or a given. In this context, the father values being liked by his son as a sign of true friendship and respect between them.