The quote reflects the disillusionment felt by people who have lived through eight years of war without understanding its true purpose. It highlights the tragedy of lost lives, particularly the youth, and points out that the conflict served to undermine both the Iranian and Iraqi military forces, positioning them as pawns in a larger geopolitical game orchestrated by Western powers. This war, seen as senseless, is critiqued for its manipulation of nations and people.

Satrapi discusses how, in the aftermath of such devastation, societies may try to find meaning or solace by honoring those who died through monuments or memorials. Streets named after martyrs serve as symbolic gestures that attempt to provide the families of victims with some comfort amidst the chaos, but ultimately, they serve as an acknowledgment of the absurdity and futility of the war that claimed so many lives.