In "Reading Lolita in Tehran," Azar Nafisi reflects on the pervasive negativity and corruption present in society. She emphasizes that while we cannot completely escape these influences, our responses to them make all the difference. This idea suggests that attitude plays a crucial role in how we navigate and interpret the challenges we face in the world. Rather than being passive victims of external conditions, we can choose how we engage with them.

Nafisi’s memoir illustrates how literature provides a lens through which to examine these evils. By engaging with great works of literature, she and her students find a way to resist and critique the oppressive forces around them. This highlights the transformative power of art and education in shaping our perspectives and actions, ultimately reinforcing the notion that our attitude can empower us in the face of adversity.