I hated God for giving me a heart. What good were they? Hearts? Having one got me exactly where?

I hated God for giving me a heart. What good were they? Hearts? Having one got me exactly where?

In Benjamin Alire Saenz's novel "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe," the protagonist, Aristotle, struggles with his own identity and emotions throughout the story. One of the central themes of the novel is the idea of self-discovery and coming to terms with one's own feelings, including anger and resentment towards a higher power.

The quote "I hated God for giving me a heart. What good were they? Hearts? Having one got me exactly where?" reflects Aristotle's internal turmoil and confusion about the purpose of emotions and vulnerability. Throughout the novel, Aristotle grapples with his own emotions and struggles to understand why he feels the way he does. He often questions the value of having a heart, especially when it seems to bring him pain and confusion.

Aristotle's feelings of anger towards God for giving him a heart are a reflection of his own struggles with self-acceptance and understanding. He feels lost and disconnected from the world around him, and his emotions only serve to further complicate his already tumultuous inner life. Aristotle's journey towards self-discovery is a central theme of the novel, and his feelings towards God and his own heart play a significant role in his growth and development as a character.

As the story unfolds, Aristotle begins to come to terms with his own emotions and learns to accept himself for who he is. He realizes that having a heart, despite the pain and confusion it may bring, is a fundamental part of being human. Through his relationships with others, particularly his friend Dante, Aristotle learns to embrace his emotions and use them as a source of strength rather than a source of weakness.