In "Reading Lolita in Tehran," Azar Nafisi reflects on the oppressive environment created by a totalitarian regime that invaded personal lives and forced distorted narratives upon its citizens. She questions whether this oppressive rule can truly be classified as Islamic, highlighting the dissonance between religious principles and the reality of life under such a regime. This creates a deep concern for the legacy being left for future generations.

Nafisi's narrative reveals a profound sense of fear rooted in the regime's unrelenting cruelty and a lack of compassion. This persistent assault on individual freedoms strikes at the very core of her identity and values, prompting her to ponder the memories and ideals that are being shaped for her children amidst such suffering. The relentless control and lack of kindness emerge as the most terrifying aspects of life under a totalitarian rule.