In Azar Nafisi's memoir, she recounts an anecdote relayed by Nima, a character from her story, about a ten-year-old boy who experiences a troubling dream. The child wakes his parents in distress, troubled by the content of his dream where he witnessed adults exhibiting affection at the seaside. This notion of an "illegal dream" showcases the impact of societal restrictions on young minds, highlighting the innocence of childhood clashing with imposed moral codes.

The boy's repeated assertion of having "illegal dreams" underscores the repression felt by individuals in a society that strictly regulates personal expression and behavior. Through this incident, Nafisi effectively illustrates the psychological ramifications of living under such constraints, provoking thoughts about the natural tendencies of human emotions and interactions that society often seeks to control.