The Failed Martyr's Complex (Situational Irony)
Cyrus frequently expresses his desire to become a martyr, albeit in a secular and pacifist manner. However, irony permeates his journey. In conversation with Orkideh, Cyrus claims not to be driven by the traditional religious idea of martyrdom but admits that his cultural background and the Iranian “cult of the martyr” affect him. The irony lies in his consciously rejecting the religious concept of martyrdom while at the same time being unconsciously driven by it. He denies wanting glory but paradoxically dreams of writing his name into history by constructing a legacy similar to the martyrs he studies. This conflict underscores his struggle with identity and belonging.
Contradicting Faith in Martyrdom (Situational Irony)
When Cyrus discusses with Gabe his fascination with martyrs who exhibit unshakeable faith, he confesses envy for that conviction. The irony is in Cyrus’s lack of conviction about anything despite his admiration for those who sacrifice themselves with unbending certainty. He cannot commit to any ideology with the same devotion, but at the same time, he desires a form of martyrdom, without ever defining his principles. His admission of being uncertain about even the most basic elements of existence (e.g., gravity) highlights his deep existential crisis.
Performing Pain (Dramatic Irony)
At the beginning of the novel, Cyrus works as a medical actor to train future doctors in bedside manner. From his perspective, he is merely pretending to be in pain for a paycheck. But readers can grasp how he struggles with profound existential suffering that he is unable to address in his real life and that his "performance" in some ways manifests.
Sobriety as Imprisonment (Situational Irony)
Cyrus initially views getting sober as a form of liberation from his destructive habits. However, sobriety becomes a new form of imprisonment for him. Instead of feeling free, Cyrus feels trapped in a life devoid of pleasure and meaning. He describes sobriety as "nothing in every direction" and struggles to find fulfillment in it (Chapter 2). This irony is further compounded by Cyrus’s resentment towards the recovery program, which he views as a cult of words that cannot touch the depths of his internal suffering. Even though sobriety is supposed to offer a clearer path forward, Cyrus feels further disconnected from himself and others. The very thing that was supposed to save him becomes another form of psychological captivity, exemplifying situational irony.
