An example of an epic would be the story of Beowulf, It is a story of bravery, and proving that he still has what is takes to be a hero in his kingdom. Beowulf would be the epic hero in the story. Inferno, by Dante would be another example of an epic. Although it is not all fighting and bloodshed like Beowulf, it is more about learning from one's mistakes and taking something from the experience. Although, Dante may not be the poster boy for epic heroes, he still possesses many attributes of it.…
“We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves” ~ May Lamberton Becker. Growing up is ia full of hard, uncomfortable decisions and moments, we all have to grow up and change. “A&P” by John Updike; “Gryphon” by Charles Baxter; and “Doe Season” by David Kaplan are all coming-of-age stories where each main character learns about themselves and life in general and taken together tell us that life is all about the choices we make, and the effects of those choices. In “A&P”, Sammy is a 19-year -old, opinionated young man who decides to take a stand against his manager and defend Queenie. He is motivated by his curiosity her mien invokes in him, and because he feels apathetic about his position.…
How does an individual know he / she is following the right path in life to achieve happiness? Anne Frank once wrote, “Parents can only give good advice or put children on the right path, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands” (Anne Frank). Almost every parent wishes to raise a successful child so his/her child will learn how to be good, and the child will continue to teach their children how to be good as well.…
Comparing and Contrasting Main Characters The two main characters in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz are Aristotle Mendoza and Dante Quintana. Ari and Dante are two teenage boys who meet at the pool and bond over their unique yet famous first names. They become friends remarkably quickly as the two of them don’t have many other peers that they get along with. The boys begin to believe their similarities may end at the fact that they were both given a philosopher’s name, but as their friendship progresses, more similarities are exposed.…
First off, the envious relationship of Finny and Gene prove to be a hardship that they overcome, however, only after Gene realizes his vision was clouded with envy. The fact that they overcame the hurdle within their relationship proves namely Gene, matured considerably. Also, the way the boys at the Devon School experienced the academic preparations of going to war in their adolescence and school days can demonstrate another transition into adulthood. Finally, schoolmates of Finny dealt with his early death early in their life, which could have easily changed their perspective on life. Ultimately, coming-of-age is an important event in a person or character’s life that can shape their…
Love makes a person do things that they would normally not do. In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle and Dante tend to look out for each other. When Dante tries to stop the kids from shooting the sparrows, Ari supports him, even though he doesn’t really know why. Another time is when Dante is helping the bird on the street and a car is coming at Dante. Ari risks his life by jumping in front of the car to save his friend.…
In the “Coming of Age” theme from the novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the World written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, relates to the ways I have grown or changed since I graduated middle school. Here at Seaholm, on my second year I have learned and developed some new skills such as improving my work ethic, learning importance of friendships, and how I went out of my comfort zone throughout my first and second year at Seaholm. After graduating Derby Middle School, I reflected on the importance of friendships and remembered how easy it was to make friends, but how hard it was to lose some. Since then , I have lost and I have gained some friends and I revealed how I should become a better self.…
Virgil summons the beast Geryon from the profundities with a string wrapped around his waist, who symbolized deception he conveyed Dante and Virgil down to the eighth circle on an unnerving ride. Finally, Dante and Virgil set themselves up to cross to the eighth circle of Hellfire (Malebogle), was formed of ten particular walled in territories in which different sorts of fraud were punished. In the first pocket, Dante saw stripped scoundrels being whipped by demons these were panders and seducers (people who used fraud in matters of veneration). He recognized one of them as Venedico Caccianemico, who had sold his sister to a lascivious Marquis. In the second pouch, sinners were covered in a stew of human excrement.…
In Inferno by Dante Alighieri Dante travels through hell, guided by Virgil. Hell is divided by sin, with specific punishments for the different sins committed. Throughout the Inferno Dante the writer makes it clear that the punishments are designed to suit the sins committed. These punishments are cruel and violent punishments that are often times gruesome. Dante the writer wants the reader to feel nothing for these sinners suffering, since they are getting what they deserve.…
In Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe, the author, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, describes the journey of two friends, Aristotle “Ari” and Dante, in the late 1980’s in El Paso, Texas. As the friendship develops between Ari and Dante, Ari gradually discovers the traumatic secrets that his parents have hidden from him and gains an entirely different perspective about his life. Through indirect characterization of Ari’s thoughts portraying his dad’s trauma from his war experiences, and the external conflict of Ari’s parents struggling with the circumstance surrounding their son’s imprisonment, Saenz shows that the decision made by the Mendoza family to keep traumatic events to themselves results in family members suffering pain and grief. In essence, the author demonstrates that hiding traumatic events from…
The pick up truck: In the book Aristotle and Dante Discover the Mysteries of the Universe, Aristotle gets a 1959, cherry red, chevy pickup truck. This was the car that he had been wanting forever. When he first got it, he could not stop looking at the amazing truck. He would do everything in it.…
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe: A Thematic Essay By: Benjamin Alire Sáenz Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s coming of age novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is about two Mexican boys in the process of becoming friends and discovering who they really are. Aristotle Mendoza—known as Ari—is a shy boy who has never had a best friend before, and who is often lost in thought about his imprisoned brother. Dante Quintana is a happy boy with a unique perspective on life, who loves words, especially poetry. The strong theme of love runs throughout the entire novel, and one complex theme gives the idea that love will create trust, a willingness to do things you wouldn’t normally do, potential problems, and,…
“Another secret of the universe: Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest summer could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder.” Pain is always just like that, it comes without warning and leaves in the blink of an eye. Throughout the book Aristotle And Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, the main characters go through both physical and emotional pain.…
It is evident that Augustine and Dante are much like many authors as they too explore spirituality in their writings. Augustine’s book Confessions and Dante’s Purgatorio both see humans as pilgrims on a journey that either brings them to God or away from God. These books have challenged readers, like myself, as they draw insight from them to apply to their own spiritual journey. In these books there are many themes that apply to Augustine and Dante’s spiritual journey.…
In the beginning of The Inferno, Dante walked in a dark forest lamenting the loss of his beloved Beatrice. When Dante started his journey he was not sure that he would be able to write about the epic he needed to undertake. He wrote about traveling thought hell, purgatory, and heaven. Dante and Virgil’s relationship is a complicated one. At the start of the story Dante respects and looks up to Virgil, whereas Virgil sees Dante as a pupil more than an equal.…