Martyr!
Chapter Twenty-six
by Kaveh AkbarThe chapter opens in Tehran, August 1987, with the narrator reflecting on a transformative first kiss with Leila, described as a word that evokes “heaven” rather than just “sky.” The moment is charged with emotional depth, setting the tone for their intimate connection. The narrative shifts to a phone call from Ali and Gilgamesh, who are drunkenly checking in from a campsite, their boisterous banter contrasting with the quiet tension of the narrator and Leila’s shared space. Leila’s playful interaction with Ali’s forbidden rock records hints at her rebellious spirit and the clandestine nature of their bond.
As Leila takes the phone, her mischievous demeanor intensifies, her gestures and expressions revealing a deeper, unspoken understanding with the narrator. After hanging up, she deliberately plays a record on the narrator’s old turntable, selecting a track that amplifies the emotional weight of the moment. The music—a Rolling Stones song—becomes the backdrop for their dance, with sensory details like the smell of jasmine-cedar and the dry copper taste of the narrator’s tongue heightening the scene’s intimacy. The narrator’s whispered confession about the exhaustion of trying to “be good” underscores their internal struggle, met with Leila’s empathetic reassurance.
The song’s melancholic yet yearning lyrics mirror the narrator and Leila’s emotions, their dance becoming a physical manifestation of their desire and preemptive nostalgia. Leila’s repeated restarts of the song and her tender kisses on the narrator’s ankles and wrists blur the lines between music, touch, and emotion. The silence after the music ends is deafening, symbolizing the weight of their unspoken feelings and the inevitability of their connection. This silence bridges into a moment of complete unity, where physical and emotional barriers dissolve.
The chapter culminates in a powerful depiction of their union, where music, fear, and history no longer separate them. The narrator and Leila’s bodies and souls merge, transcending the constraints of their surroundings. The prose captures the intensity of their love, framed by the political and cultural tensions of 1980s Tehran, leaving a lasting impression of defiance and vulnerability in the face of societal repression.
FAQs
1. How does the narrator describe their first kiss with Leila, and what does this metaphor reveal about their emotional experience?
Answer:
The narrator describes the first kiss as “a strange and foreign word, one someone might clumsily translate as ‘sky’ but that actually meant something closer to ‘heaven.’” This metaphor suggests the kiss was transcendent and profound, defying simple explanation. The contrast between “sky” (a literal translation) and “heaven” (the deeper meaning) highlights the gap between surface-level understanding and the true emotional significance of the moment. The description conveys the narrator’s awe and the transformative nature of their connection with Leila.2. Analyze the symbolic significance of music and silence in this chapter. How do these elements reflect the relationship’s development?
Answer:
Music (the Rolling Stones song) serves as a catalyst for intimacy, with Leila repeatedly restarting it to prolong their connection. The lyrics (“I want you back”) mirror the narrator’s yearning, even as they’re physically together, foreshadowing impermanence. The subsequent silence is described as “louder than the music,” representing the weight of their forbidden relationship and the societal barriers they defy. The transition from music to silence parallels their journey from tentative connection to full emotional and physical union, where external distractions fade away.3. What does Leila’s gesture of snapping a finger (while mocking Gilgamesh) reveal about her character and her marriage?
Answer:
Leila’s vulgar gesture—miming snapping a finger off while talking to Gilgamesh—reveals her disdain for her husband and the performative nature of their marriage. Her playful smile at the narrator while doing this shows her comfort with subversion and hints at her growing attraction. The act contrasts with her later tenderness toward the narrator, emphasizing her emotional authenticity in their private moments versus her strained marital facade. It also foreshadows her willingness to break social norms for genuine connection.4. How does the chapter use sensory details to convey the intensity of the narrator’s experience with Leila?
Answer:
The narrator employs vivid sensory imagery: the “dry copper taste” of their tongue, Leila’s “sweat and jasmine-cedar” smell, and the “popping” speakers grounding the scene in physicality. The description of memory as “supersaturated” and “drip[ping]” like a rag suggests overwhelming sensory overload. These details create an immersive, almost surreal atmosphere, emphasizing how the encounter transcends ordinary experience. The tactile details of Leila kissing their ankles and wrists further heighten the intimacy, making their connection feel visceral and immediate.5. Why might the author have chosen to frame this romantic moment within the context of political danger (e.g., contraband records, warnings about drinking)?
Answer:
The references to banned records and the narrator’s warning about drinking (“no time to get caught”) underscore the oppressive societal backdrop of 1987 Tehran. This framing heightens the stakes of their relationship—their love exists not just in private but in defiance of cultural and political norms. The contraband records (Western music) parallel their forbidden romance, both representing illicit freedom. The tension between danger and desire makes their union more poignant, as their passion becomes an act of rebellion against multiple forms of repression.
Quotes
1. “That first kiss between Leila and me was a strange and foreign word, one someone might clumsily translate as ‘sky’ but that actually meant something closer to ‘heaven.’”
This opening line poetically captures the transcendent quality of the narrator’s first intimate moment with Leila, setting the tone for their profound connection that defies simple description.
2. “I wish it wasn’t so hard to be good… I’m trying. I really am. I’m just exhausted.”
A vulnerable confession that reveals the narrator’s internal struggle with societal expectations and personal morality, highlighting the emotional weight of living under oppressive circumstances.
3. “We held the song’s preemptive nostalgia between us like a candle… yearning so strong it bends you, buckles you, like waves or miracles.”
This lyrical passage beautifully encapsulates the intense, almost painful longing that characterizes their relationship, comparing emotional vulnerability to powerful natural forces.
4. “Then there was no separation between us, Leila and me, between our bodies. No separation anymore: not music or country or clothes. Not fear. Not even history.”
The chapter’s climactic conclusion describes a moment of complete unity that transcends all boundaries - physical, cultural, and temporal - marking a transformative experience for the characters.