Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Ari has the flu, accompanied by a high fever. He dreams of millions and millions of sparrows falling down like rain and covering him in blood. As his father rocks him to sleep, Ari dreams he is searching for Dante and then for his dad. Aristotle’s father tells him he was calling out for him in his sleep.

Ari tells his father he has bad dreams even when he isn’t sick. His dad asks if he looks for him in his dreams, and Ari says, “Mostly I think I’m trying to find me, Dad” (65). His father says that he has bad dreams too. Ari is happy that his father shared something personal.

Ari accuses his mother of being a fascist because she won’t allow him to go outside. His mother cries because she is worried about his lack of friends. She says that she wants him to be happy. Ari retorts that he is “supposed to be miserable” because he’s 15 years old (70).