In "Reading Lolita in Tehran," Azar Nafisi shares her experiences of teaching literature in Iran during a time of severe restrictions on freedom and expression. She highlights how the beauty and depth of literature provided an escape from the oppressive reality of everyday life. Nafisi's reflections convey a sense of longing and absence in her environment, where the lack of personal freedom and cultural vitality was tangible and often overshadowed any existing beauty.

The quote, "This is Tehran for me: its absences were more real than its presences," encapsulates how Nafisi views her city. The voids created by censorship and repression became more defining than the visible aspects of Tehran. Through her narrative, she illustrates the profound impact that literature and the absence of true expression have on individuals living in a controlled society, emphasizing the enduring search for meaning amid the struggles of life in Iran.