Martyr!
Chapter Twenty-five
by Kaveh AkbarThe chapter depicts a dreamlike encounter between Cyrus’s father, Ali Shams, and the legendary poet Rumi outside a music venue. Ali, a hardworking immigrant who rarely appears in Cyrus’s dreams, is seen smoking a cigarette—a habit he had abandoned in America. Rumi, adorned in vibrant robes and smoking a blunt, greets Ali with enthusiasm, revealing a mutual recognition between the two. The scene is set against the backdrop of a loud hardcore show, with young attendees milling about, creating a surreal contrast between the mundane and the mystical.
Ali and Rumi engage in a conversation that blends humor and profundity. Rumi explains that in this dreamlike state, the small details—like the cheap wine and the Swisher—matter more than the grand concerns of earthly life. He plucks a star from the sky, demonstrating the fluidity of this realm, while Ali’s attempt results in a chicken egg, highlighting their differing perspectives. The dialogue underscores a shift from the material constraints of life to a more abstract, introspective existence.
The conversation takes a personal turn when Rumi asks Ali to share something genuine. After hesitation, Ali confesses his suspicion that his late wife may have been unfaithful, citing her distant behavior and secretive phone calls during her pregnancy with Cyrus. This revelation exposes Ali’s lingering grief and insecurity, adding emotional depth to his character. Rumi responds with empathy, though the chapter leaves the truth of Ali’s suspicions unresolved.
The chapter closes with the two figures still outside the venue, the music and smoke creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Rumi’s glowing presence and Ali’s introspective mood suggest a deeper exploration of memory, loss, and the afterlife. The interplay of light and smoke symbolizes clarity amid confusion, leaving readers with a sense of wonder about the boundaries between reality and dreams, past and present.
FAQs
1. How does the author characterize Ali Shams’ life experiences, and what do these details reveal about his personality?
Answer:
The chapter portrays Ali Shams as a man who endured significant hardships, including wartime service (with survivor’s guilt), his wife’s sudden death, immigration to a hostile country, and decades of manual labor. These experiences reveal him as resilient, hardworking, and self-sacrificing—qualities emphasized by his decision to quit smoking to save money, a sacrifice he never mentioned to his son. His rare appearance in Cyrus’s dreams suggests he values rest after a life of struggle, while his solemn demeanor and practical nature contrast with Rumi’s flamboyance, highlighting his grounded personality.2. Analyze the symbolic significance of the dream setting where Ali and Rumi meet. How does it reflect the themes of the chapter?
Answer:
The dream takes place outside a music venue where a hardcore show is happening, blending the mundane (parking lot, young attendees) with the mystical (smoke revealing stars, Rumi’s celestial actions). This setting symbolizes the intersection of earthly life and spiritual transcendence. The smoke “clarifying” the air suggests enlightenment, while the stars appearing edible hints at nourishment beyond the physical. The venue’s loud music represents life’s chaos, contrasting with the quiet intimacy of Ali and Rumi’s conversation, mirroring the chapter’s exploration of finding meaning in small, personal moments amid life’s larger struggles.3. What does Ali’s confession about his wife reveal about his character and his unresolved emotions?
Answer:
Ali’s admission that he suspected his wife of infidelity exposes his deep-seated insecurities and unresolved grief. His interpretation of her pitying gaze and secretive phone calls suggests he internalized feelings of inadequacy, possibly exacerbated by her death leaving these doubts unresolved. This vulnerability contrasts with his typically stoic demeanor, showing how even in the afterlife, he carries emotional baggage. The confession to Rumi—a stranger yet kindred spirit—highlights his need for catharsis and the universality of human frailties, even in spiritual realms.4. How does Rumi’s portrayal in this chapter subvert traditional expectations of a 13th-century mystic poet?
Answer:
Rumi is depicted as a modern, relatable figure smoking a blunt, drinking cheap wine, and using casual slang (“Whoa. No shit?”). This subversion strips away the solemnity often associated with spiritual icons, emphasizing accessibility and joy. His appreciation for “little details” like Swisher wraps and stars as “crystals” aligns with his historical teachings about finding the divine in everyday life, but the contemporary framing makes his wisdom feel immediate. The contrast between his radiant robes and casual demeanor bridges ancient wisdom and modern existential questions, reinforcing timeless relevance.5. Compare Ali and Rumi’s perspectives on the afterlife. What might their differences suggest about the chapter’s broader message?
Answer:
Ali is still adjusting to the afterlife’s rules (“I’m still figuring out how all this works”), focusing on earthly concerns like his son’s aspirations. Rumi, however, embraces the afterlife’s freedom to savor sensory pleasures (smoke, wine) and metaphysical play (plucking stars). Their dynamic suggests the chapter’s message: transcendence isn’t about grand revelations but appreciating small, authentic moments. Ali’s egg (a symbol of potential) versus Rumi’s star (realized wonder) hints at different stages of spiritual growth, emphasizing that meaning is found in personal, imperfect journeys.
Quotes
1. “It was one of those billion little sacrifices a parent makes that a child never considers. The kind, Ali thought, only the worst, most loathsome parents ever mentioned.”
This quote captures Ali’s quiet, unacknowledged sacrifices as an immigrant parent, highlighting the universal tension between parental devotion and children’s obliviousness. It reveals Ali’s internal monologue about the unspoken economics of parenthood.
2. “It was like his hand had regained a digit.”
A poetic observation about Ali smoking again in the dream state, suggesting how certain habits become extensions of our identity. The metaphor powerfully conveys how deeply ingrained behaviors feel like returning to wholeness.
3. “Here, it’s about this Swisher, this cheap wine, this crystal… All that shit drowned out the subtler shades of experience.”
Rumi’s philosophy about the afterlife (or dream state) emphasizing sensory immediacy over grand narratives. This represents a key thematic pivot - from life’s burdens to transcendent appreciation of small moments.
4. “I think my wife was cheating on me before she died… She never looked at me like she desired me as a man.”
Ali’s vulnerable confession reveals his deepest insecurity and the complex emotional legacy he carries. This moment of raw honesty with Rumi marks a significant character revelation and turning point in the dialogue.
5. “Happy like she’d freed herself of something. Or was about to?”
Ali’s haunting uncertainty about his late wife’s final months introduces profound questions about marriage, mortality, and unspoken truths. The rhetorical question lingers as a powerful emotional cliffhanger.