Something I noticed about Mateo’s death.
Its very significant that he died in the apartment. Its mentioned all throughout the book that he considered it his safe space where he couldn’t get hurt, and he was terrified to go out. But then of course the irony is that he died in there. I think all the deaths were set in stone from the beginning and Mateo was always going to die because of the stove, whether or not he met Rufus.
However, he could've stayed in the apartment to grieve, being too scared to go out for the entire day and to say goodbye to his loved ones, or he could go and live his life to its fullest, either way coming to the same outcome. He chose the latter and lived with meaning, he didn't just wait for his death like at the beginning of the book, thats the whole moral you know?
I think Silvera’s intentions were of course to show how death is inevitable, but also how Mateo could've easily wasted the day and not gone outside, although nothing out there wouldve been a deathly threat, and died in that regret plus unfulfilled potential like he has done all his life up to that point. He let himself go in a way he wouldnt have if it wasnt his last day alive. If he hadnt died, he wouldve never lived. Its bittersweet but true, and i found the saddest part of the book was that he realized this all too late, when he couldve been around for so much longer if he just went out there and LIVED. He was so young man! And if he had done so, maybe the stove wouldnt have been busted and he wouldnt have died. And he couldve been there for his goddaughter and his dad and- i could go on. Brutal story.
“Maybe it's better to have gotten it right and been happy for one day instead of living a lifetime of wrongs”.
FAQs
We see Mateo and other side characters die. Rufus however doesn't die in the book, but it is implied he will soon die before the day is over. My theories: How Rufus may of died : So that guy victor was speeding to meet his 'fiancé' after she calls asking if the whole 'end call' was a set - up.
Who dies first in They Both Die at the End? ›
They fall asleep on Mateo's bed, and Mateo wakes up from the nap before Rufus to make tea. When he goes to ignite the gas burner on the stove, the apartment erupts into flames. Mateo is killed instantly, and Rufus wakes up moments later, dazed in the smoke.
What time do Rufus and Mateo die? ›
Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on They Both Die at the End makes teaching easy. September 5, 2017: Mateo Torrez, 12:22 a.m. Rufus Emeterio, 1:05 a.m.
Does Rufus appear in the first to die at the end? ›
I had expected the book to be about Rufus and Mateo – the two main characters in They Both Die at the End – but Silvera made the decision to bring in two completely new characters: Orion Pagan and Valentino Prince.
Is Mateo in the first to die at the end? ›
Silvera's heartbreaking YA novel follows teens Mateo and Rufus, who were both just notified by Death-Cast—a service that alerts subscribers when they are going to die within 24 hours—that their time has come.
Does Mateo die in the end? ›
Mateo sings for Rufus and tells him he loves him. Rufus says he loves Mateo too, and they decide not to leave Mateo's room and curl up together in the bed to nap. When Mateo wakes up, he decides to make them both tea, but when he turns on the stove, it explodes and kills him.
How does Rufus die at the end? ›
Victor tells her to stay put and rushes to the diner. This diner is across the street from where Rufus went to spend his final hour. It is implied Victor is the one that hits Rufus with his car. Her fate remains unknown.
Are they both dead at the end LGBT? ›
Answer and Explanation: The novel They Both Die at the End is a work of LGBT fiction. Its two male protagonists—Mateo and Rufus—develop a strong bond after finding out that they each have only one day left to live, and spend the day together in an attempt to avoid spending the day alone.
Did Mateo and Rufus kiss? ›
A dream couldn't possibly capture the intensity of this moment” (307). Everyone in the audience is moved by the song, too. When their performance ends, Mateo and Rufus head offstage, behind a curtain and Mateo kisses Rufus: “I kiss the guy who brought me to life on the day we're going to die” (308).
Is Mateo a girl in they both die at the end? ›
Mateo is a shy, kind eighteen-year-old boy who struggles with anxiety. Throughout the novel, Mateo demonstrates the value of making living life to the fullest a priority. With the help of his foil and Last Friend Rufus, Mateo is able to confront and defeat the fears that have always held him back.
Great book, highly recommend
I honestly think any age would be able to handle this, but 11 years would be the best age for the reader to truly understand the book and be invested.
Does Rufus die in We Both die in the End? ›
Rufus died because the only way he could be happy was by watching his videos of Mateo and he was so caught up in the happiness of those videos that he crossed the road without looking and died. Cass Charlie wrote: "I believe that the whole book is based on the idea of fate.
Who killed Rufus? ›
Coronation Street spoilers follow. Coronation Street has confirmed in flashback scenes that Stephen Reid killed business rival Rufus.
Are Rufus and Mateo in love? ›
He's initially suspicious of his Last Friend and foil, Rufus, who encourages him to try new things and take risks. During his final hours, Mateo is inspired by Rufus to leave his inhibitions and fears behind. Most importantly, he embraces that he's gay as he finds love with Rufus.
Do Mateo and Rufus fall in love? ›
At the climax of the novel, Mateo shows how much he has grown and what risks he's willing to take when he tells Rufus that he loves him.
Is Mateo a boy in they both die at the end? ›
Mateo is a shy, kind eighteen-year-old boy who struggles with anxiety. Throughout the novel, Mateo demonstrates the value of making living life to the fullest a priority. With the help of his foil and Last Friend Rufus, Mateo is able to confront and defeat the fears that have always held him back.
Is "They both die at the End" a good book? ›
Like they say, 3rd times a charm. If you learn anything from this review, it's to just get past the first couple of chapters if you're not initially into it. This book is one of the most powerful, tender, sweet stories I've read in a long time. And just like Rufus and Mateo, I didn't want it to end.
Is "They both Die" at the end a dystopian novel? ›
The novel is set in an alternate dystopian version of New York City in 2017, and the features of this dystopia—all revolving around death and Death-Cast—are a recurring motif throughout the novel.
Something I noticed about Mateo’s death.