Entry #8: Discovering the Secrets of Using Queer Literature in the Classroom

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz is a book about a friendship between two boys that end up falling in love with each other. The book is about way more than just a gay relationship. It is a coming-of-age story told in in first-person through the eyes of Aristotle (Ari) as he works through some real adolescent challenges including, but not limited to his grief over the loss of his brother, an all around anger for most people and things he encounters, loneliness, and friendship. With this in mind, it is not surprising that this book would be a good fit according to the criteria that Logan and associates claim make queer literature appropriate for the classroom. Amongst these criteria are curriculum relevance, mirror and windows, and stereotypes, which Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe does meet and therefore, I would argue it a good fit for use in the classroom (Logan, et al 32-33).

Curriculum relevance is probably one of the most important pieces of the criteria, as in order for any piece of literature to be used in the classroom, the educator has to be able to justify how it will be used to meet state standards and objectives. In the case of Saenz's book, the teacher could meet standards about determining a theme or critical idea in the text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, the setting, and the plot (ELA.8R.C1.2). The themes in this text coincide with the character development, especially because the story is told in first person from Ari's point-of-view. This would lead itself well to teaching the standard on analyzing how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in the story reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision (ELA.8R.C1.3). Because the story is told in first person, the reader often has to think outside of the actual text to infer what is really going on, which would meet the standard on citing evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly, as well as inferences drawn from the text (ELA.8R.C1.1). There are two incidents that really stand out for me where the reader has to make some inferences about what provokes Ari's decision making and in doing so, the reader takes a deeper look at the themes in the text.

The first, is when he saves Dante's life. The reader, like Ari, doesn't know right away what actually happened. One minute Ari is watching Dante stand in the middle of the street holding a bird with a broken wing. He sees a car swerving around the corner on the slippery street after a hail storm (Saenz 111). The reader probably guesses that Ari pushes Dante out of the way before Ari, himself knows what actually happens. This is a perfect example of inferencing, where the clues in the text lead the reader to infer something. In this case, Ari screaming Dante's name in his head and the fact that Ari is in the hospital should lead the reader believe that Ari somehow interfered with the accident. The teacher could then discuss what made Ari save Dante's life. What motivated him? This discussion would easily relate to the three WV state standards cited above – theme, character analysis, and inferencing. This scene and discussion would also lead itself well to meeting the criteria of providing students with window and mirror opportunities that Logan and associates claim is part of the selection process, which is when the reader sees events through the eyes of the character or can even see themselves in the character.

The second scene is where Ari decides to seek revenge on those that beat Dante up after seeing him kiss a boy (Saenz 312-313). Ari learns that Dante was beat up because he was gay. This scene is very powerful because again the reader learns before Ari that Dante was beat up simply because he was gay. The reader also determines that Ari is going to go start a fight with the assaulters before Ari, himself, has firmly come to that conclusion. Ari's aggression towards the boy that Dante was kissing is another piece of this subplot that could be analyzed. Why does Ari dislike him so much? Are his actions purely because he's jealous? Why is he jealous? Is he jealous as just as friend or does he perhaps have stronger feelings for Dante? Why is he so angry about Dante being ganged up on because he's gay? Is it only because Dante is his friend or is there something deeper there? These types of questions would lead to more discussions that could again address the state standards. The questions would also be a great opportunity to touch on stereotypes, which is another criteria of Logan and associates. This type of literature that encourages conversations about non-stereotypical characters will enable readers to examine their own attitudes and beliefs about homosexuality and confront the overt prejudice that accompanies homophobia (Logan et al 33).

The criteria that Logan and associates list to use when considering queer literature in the classroom is helpful in providing educators with a starting place. It is very likely that there may be some backlash for requiring students to read a book about a gay relationship and yet, this criteria would give educators a place to start when justifying to these naysayers. The book is about so much more than a queer relationship; it's a great story about a boy coming-of-age and learning how to deal with all the emotions that are part of growing up. It could be used to meet state standards, it has deep themes that make the reader think, the characters are well-developed and bring the reader window and mirror opportunities, and it breaks down stereotypes about gay adolescent boys. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe would be a great fit for introducing queer literature in the classroom.

Works Cited

Logan, Stephanie R., Lasswell, Teri A. Hood, Yolanda, & Watson, Dwight C. “Criteria for Selection of Young Adult Queer Literature.” English Journal. 103.5, 30-41, 2014. Electronic.

Saenz, Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. ,New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012. Print.