Rooftops of Tehran

Content Warning: The source text features depictions of political oppression and physical violence, including scenes of torture, mentions of sexual assault, and self-immolation.

Rooftops are a recurring motif in the novel, and they represent community and companionship. Pasha’s rooftop is a vantage point from where he can observe his neighborhood—especially the alley—and stay connected to events and people. The site of the rooftop and Pasha’s observations reflect the narrative voice as well since the story is told from Pasha’s perspective—the novel narrates the turbulences and tragedies in the neighborhood through Pasha’s eyes. Therefore, Pasha’s rooftop is a communal site that represents the emotional bonds that he has to the people and the places around him. Furthermore, culturally, the rooftop ties Pasha to his country’s history and environment, since it is customary for citizens in Tehran to spend their evenings out on their rooftops.

Pasha’s rooftop comes to symbolize a unique form of connection since he not only observes his community from his rooftop but also deepens his relationships with his friends there. Pasha spends a lot of time with his best friend, Ahmed, on his rooftop; the boys trade secrets and jokes, and as the novel progresses, they share their frustrations about the oppressive nature of the Shah’s regime.