Martyr!
Chapter Twenty
by Kaveh AkbarThe chapter follows Cyrus and Zee in Brooklyn as they spend a quiet evening together, ordering pizza and watching TV in their hotel. Zee reflects on the luxury of doing nothing in a city full of possibilities, framing it as an “opportunity cost” that feels opulent. Their banter over pineapple on pizza leads to a playful debate about botanical versus culinary terms, showcasing their easy camaraderie. The scene is intimate and relaxed, with the pair enjoying each other’s company while watching *The Office* reruns, setting a tone of domestic comfort amid their travels.
Their conversation shifts to media and cultural sensitivity, discussing how older shows like *The Office* and *All in the Family* wouldn’t be made today due to shifting societal norms. Cyrus muses about the “Overton window” of acceptable discourse, while Zee corrects his mispronunciation, adding a lighthearted touch. They bond over shared discomfort with problematic content in beloved childhood media, from *The Bell Jar* to John Hughes films, reflecting on how cultural artifacts age poorly. Their dialogue underscores a broader theme of reevaluating nostalgia through a modern ethical lens.
Later, their playful dynamic continues as Cyrus prepares to shower, and Zee humorously lists impossible requests, from solving global fascism to acquiring a drum kit. The scene transitions to a moment of intimacy, with Cyrus joining Zee in bed after his shower. The chapter captures their affectionate rapport, blending humor, intellectual discussion, and physical closeness, painting a vivid picture of their relationship.
The chapter concludes with the pair stepping outside for a cigarette, where Zee checks in about Cyrus’s plans for the next day at the museum. Cyrus admits he hasn’t thought beyond asking Orkideh a key question, and Zee expresses concern about him being emotionally unprepared for her response. Their exchange highlights Zee’s protective nature and Cyrus’s unresolved emotional stakes, ending on a note of quiet anticipation for the challenges ahead.
FAQs
1. How does Zee characterize the experience of doing nothing in New York City, and what economic concept does he use to explain this feeling?
Answer:
Zee describes doing nothing in New York City as feeling “luxurious” and “opulent” because of the immense “opportunity cost” involved. The opportunity cost—an economic concept referring to the potential benefits one misses out on when choosing one alternative over others—is particularly high in a city like New York where there are endless possibilities for activities and experiences. By choosing to stay in and watch TV instead of exploring the city, Zee and Cyrus are consciously forgoing other opportunities, which paradoxically makes their inaction feel indulgent (page 217).2. Analyze the conversation between Cyrus and Zee about outdated media. What broader cultural concept does their discussion touch upon, and how does Cyrus initially misname it?
Answer:
Their conversation about shows like The Office, The Honeymooners, and All in the Family highlights how cultural norms and acceptable humor evolve over time. Cyrus refers to this shifting boundary of acceptability as the “Everton window,” which Zee corrects to the “Overton window”—a political science concept describing the range of ideas tolerated in public discourse. Their discussion underscores how media reflects and challenges societal norms, often becoming controversial or outdated as values progress (pages 218-219).3. What does the exchange about pineapple on pizza reveal about Cyrus and Zee’s dynamic and their approaches to conventional opinions?
Answer:
When Cyrus reflexively criticizes pineapple on pizza—a common but unexamined opinion—Zee counters with a technical distinction between botanical (“fruit”) and culinary (“vegetable”) terms, dismissing such debates as meaningless. This shows their playful intellectual rapport: Cyrus occasionally defaults to societal norms, while Zee challenges them with logical precision. Their lighthearted interaction (Cyrus flicking pineapple at Zee) also reveals their comfort with teasing and disagreement, making their relationship feel authentic and engaging (page 217).4. How does Zee’s joke about “ethical hygiene” tie into the chapter’s themes of cultural reevaluation and personal growth?
Answer:
When Zee teases Cyrus about his “immaculate ethical hygiene,” he humorously critiques the inevitability of encountering problematic content in older media. This mirrors their broader discussion about reevaluating past works (e.g., The Bell Jar, John Hughes films) through a modern lens. The joke underscores the tension between personal growth and nostalgia, suggesting that while awareness of past flaws is important, self-righteousness can be reductive. It also reflects their shared willingness to confront uncomfortable truths while maintaining humor (pages 218-219).5. What symbolic significance might the shower scene and its aftermath hold in the context of Cyrus and Zee’s relationship?
Answer:
The shower scene marks a transition from intellectual banter to intimate vulnerability. Cyrus emerges “still wet” and bare, literally and figuratively shedding the day’s conversations, while Zee appears “firm, saturated with life”—a contrast that highlights their emotional balance. Their later cigarette break, where they discuss Cyrus’s anxieties about the museum visit, shows how their relationship blends physical comfort with deep emotional support. The sequence mirrors the chapter’s movement from superficial debates to meaningful connection (pages 219-220).
Quotes
1. “Zee talked about how luxurious it felt to do nothing in New York City, a place where you could do anything. He kept saying ‘opportunity cost,’ that the opportunity cost of doing nothing in the city was so immense that it felt opulent.”
This quote captures the paradoxical luxury of inactivity in a hyper-stimulating environment like New York. It introduces the economic concept of “opportunity cost” in a personal, relatable way, framing idleness as a deliberate (even decadent) choice.
2. “That kind of comedy always exists on the edge of what you’re allowed to say at the moment. And that edge keeps moving. With the moment. The Overton window or whatever.”
This exchange between Cyrus and Zee reflects on cultural evolution and censorship through the lens of comedy. It highlights how societal norms shift over time, making past media artifacts sometimes uncomfortable or unacceptable by contemporary standards.
3. “I’m constantly afraid to read the books I loved as a kid because I know there’s going to be some awful shit in there.”
This poignant admission from Cyrus speaks to the universal experience of revisiting childhood favorites with adult awareness. It encapsulates the tension between nostalgia and evolving social consciousness, particularly regarding problematic content in classic works.
4. “Can you arrest the world’s encroaching entropy? Fix irreversible ecological collapse?… The rising specter of global fascism?… New Vistalite drum kit?”
Zee’s humorous yet existential request list blends global crises with personal desire, creating a darkly comic moment that reflects contemporary anxieties. The progression from apocalyptic concerns to a mundane musical instrument creates a jarring, memorable contrast.
5. “I have no siblings, no partner. I got sober two years ago, meaning I’ve lived two years of useful life more than I was supposed to.”
This vulnerable statement from Cyrus reveals his personal struggles and sense of borrowed time. It provides insight into his character’s psychology and motivations while touching on themes of addiction, survival, and purpose.