Essay Questions

How does Akbar explore the tension between faith and disillusionment in the character of Cyrus Shams?

Akbar presents Cyrus Shams as a character steeped in personal and spiritual crisis. His longing for divine revelation is in constant tension with the crushing weight of disillusionment. This theme is portrayed in the scene where Cyrus begs for a sign from God. The light flickers but he is left questioning whether it was a divine response or merely a product of faulty wiring. Akbar uses this moment to capture the precarious nature of faith in a secular world. Cyrus' frustrations echo his perception of religious figures who received miraculous revelations—such as the Prophet Muhammad and Saul of Tarsus—whom he envies for their unshakeable certainty. In contrast, Cyrus is stuck in a world where faith is muddied by personal failures, drug-induced visions, and his spiritual and existential crises. This conflict is further examined through his mock prayers and half-serious promises to abandon his material life in exchange for a clearer divine vision. Akbar’s portrayal of Cyrus’ spiritual struggle speaks to contemporary spirituality: the desire for certainty in a world where certainty is elusive.

What role does martyrdom play in shaping the identities of the Shams family, particularly Cyrus and Ali?

Martyrdom in the lives of Cyrus and his father Ali shape their perceptions of identity and belonging. Ali’s experience of loss—his wife being killed when the U.S. military shot down an Iranian passenger plane—infuses the idea of martyrdom into their family narrative. This event turns Roya into a literal martyr of geopolitical conflict but also defines Ali's subsequent actions. Cyrus, in contrast, grapples with the legacy of this martyrdom in an existential sense. He does not experience his mother's death directly, but the weight of it defines his relationship with faith and national identity. His existential crisis throughout the novel can be seen as a search for a meaningful way to reconcile the concept of martyrdom with his life. Cyrus envies the clarity that comes with martyrdom, particularly the faith required to die for a cause. Akbar's treatment of martyrdom goes beyond its traditional religious or political connotation since it extends into the psychological realm. For both Ali and Cyrus, martyrdom becomes a symbol of sacrifice that shapes their fractured identities as immigrants and survivors of personal trauma.

How does Akbar use addiction as a metaphor for spiritual yearning and loss in Cyrus' character development?

Akbar illustrates addiction as a vehicle through which Cyrus confronts his lack of faith and his hunger for something transcendent. Cyrus’ drug and alcohol use is presented as an escape from his existential dread and a misguided attempt to fill the spiritual void. The novel juxtaposes addiction with spiritual seeking. Cyrus' experiences with substances blur the lines between hallucination and spiritual vision. His dependency on substances mirrors his dependency on the hope for divine intervention. They offer temporary relief as they leave him unfulfilled and searching for more. Moreover, Akbar’s treatment of addiction also explores the theme of recovery, which Cyrus approaches with the same ambivalence he feels toward faith. Sobriety does not bring him the spiritual peace he had hoped for but rather exposes the depth of his existential pain. His recovery is framed as a palliative measure, just as his faith offers brief flashes of hope without ever resolving his deeper questions about life.