How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Panel)
Quote #1
I thought my father was dead. That they had shot him. (4.23)
Living under the regime, Marji gets scared simply when her father is late coming home from work. In Iran, he might not be late because of work, or because of a traffic jam—he might be late because he's dead, shot in the streets by soldiers. That's scarier than rush-hour traffic in Boston.
Quote #2
"Don't worry. Everyone who left will come back. They're just afraid of change." (9.20)
This is oversimplification on Marji's dad's part. They're not just afraid of change; they're afraid of the regime changing so much that they become the enemy and get imprisoned… or worse.
Quote #3
It was war all right. Right away, the supermarkets were empty. (12.1)
War causes fear, and fear causes people to stockpile. It's like a snowstorm in New England when everyone, afraid they'll lose power for a few hours, needs enough Wonder Bread to last for three weeks. At least we'll be prepared for the zombie apocalypse, right?