Chapter 20 Summary: [Gilles Deleuze called…]
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Chapter 20 is an extremely brief chapter, consisting entirely of an excerpt from a document titled “BOOKOFMARTYRS.docx,” attributed to Cyrus Shams. The text opens with a reference to the philosopher Gilles Deleuze, who called elegy la grande plainte — “the great complaint” — a way of saying that what is happening is too much to bear. The excerpt then moves to the Iranian observance of Ashura, a day of elegy during which people fast and mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, who was killed in 680 CE on his fifty-fifth birthday at the Battle of Karbala. The passage notes that Iranians say that what happened thirteen centuries ago is still too much for them, and that this great complaint is carried in their blood, referred to in Persian as shekayat bazorg. The excerpt concludes with the insistence that they remember.
The chapter is essentially a standalone meditation, presented as a piece of writing by the novel’s protagonist. It does not advance a plot or introduce new characters, but instead offers a concentrated reflection on the nature of elegy, martyrdom, and inherited grief.
Key Events
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The chapter presents an excerpt from a document titled “BOOKOFMARTYRS.docx” by Cyrus Shams.
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The text introduces Gilles Deleuze’s definition of elegy as “the great complaint” (la grande plainte).
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It describes the Iranian observance of Ashura, a day of mourning and fasting for Imam Hussain’s martyrdom at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
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The passage explains that Iranians consider the events of thirteen centuries ago still too painful to bear, and that this grief is carried in their blood, called shekayat bazorg.
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The excerpt ends with a declaration of remembrance: “We remember. Of course we remember.”
Character Development
The only character present in this chapter is Cyrus Shams, the author of the document. Although we do not see him directly, the excerpt reveals his intellectual and emotional preoccupations. He is engaging with philosophical ideas (Deleuze) and with the religious and cultural history of Iran (Ashura, Imam Hussain). The writing suggests a person who is trying to articulate a personal and collective grief, connecting his own concerns to a broader tradition of mourning. The fact that this is presented as a document within the novel implies that Cyrus is actively composing his thoughts, perhaps as part of a larger project about martyrdom. This chapter offers a glimpse into his mind, showing that he is drawn to the idea that grief can be inherited and that remembrance is a vital act.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Elegy and the Great Complaint: The central concept is Deleuze’s la grande plainte, which frames elegy not merely as a lament but as an expression that something is too overwhelming to process. This idea is applied directly to the Iranian tradition of mourning.
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Martyrdom: The chapter focuses on Imam Hussain’s death at Karbala, a foundational event in Shia Islam. The martyrdom is presented as an event that continues to resonate across centuries.
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Collective Memory and Inherited Grief: The text emphasizes that the grief of Karbala is not just historical but is carried “in our blood.” This suggests that trauma and mourning can be passed down through generations, becoming a shared inheritance.
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Remembrance: The final lines stress the importance of remembering. The act of remembering is presented as both a duty and a form of resistance against forgetting.
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The Body as Carrier of History: The phrase “in our blood” implies that history and grief are physically embedded in people, not just mentally recalled.
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Language and Translation: The chapter moves between French (la grande plainte) and Persian (shekayat bazorg), highlighting the ways different cultures name and express the same profound sorrow.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter serves as a thematic anchor for the novel, directly connecting the title Martyr! to the concept of elegy and the Iranian tradition of mourning. It introduces the idea that martyrdom is not just an individual event but a collective, transgenerational experience. The excerpt also gives readers a window into Cyrus Shams’s intellectual world, showing that he is deeply engaged with questions of grief, history, and identity. By presenting this as a document written by the protagonist, the novel blurs the line between the author’s voice and the character’s, inviting readers to consider how personal and cultural narratives intertwine. The chapter’s brevity and intensity make it a powerful meditation that resonates beyond its few lines, setting up themes that likely echo throughout the rest of the book.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Deleuze’s term “la grande plainte” mean, and how does it relate to the Iranian observance of Ashura?
Answer: Deleuze’s term means “the great complaint,” a way of expressing that something is too much to bear. In the context of Ashura, Iranians fast and mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, and they say that what happened thirteen centuries ago is still too much for them. The term captures the idea that the grief is so profound that it cannot be fully processed, and it is carried as a persistent complaint in their blood.
2. How does the excerpt connect personal grief to collective memory?
Answer: The excerpt suggests that the grief of Imam Hussain’s death is not merely a historical fact but a living inheritance. It is described as being “in our blood,” implying that the sorrow is passed down through generations, making it a collective memory that is felt personally by each individual. The act of remembrance is presented as a communal duty, reinforcing the bond between the past and the present.
3. What is the significance of the document being titled “BOOKOFMARTYRS.docx” and attributed to Cyrus Shams?
Answer: The title indicates that Cyrus is writing about martyrdom, and this excerpt gives a glimpse into his intellectual framework. By attributing the document to him, the novel suggests that the protagonist is actively grappling with these themes, perhaps as part of a larger project. The use of a digital file extension (.docx) also grounds the writing in a contemporary context, contrasting the ancient subject matter with modern modes of documentation. This chapter thus reveals Cyrus’s engagement with both philosophical and religious traditions, setting the stage for his personal exploration of martyrdom and grief.