My Name is Red

My Name is Red

by

Orhan Pamuk

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on My Name is Red makes teaching easy.

The Tree Character Analysis

The tree is an illustration that the storyteller impersonates during one of his performances at the coffeehouse. The tree describes how it was once part of a larger story but was separated from the rest of the book during a robbery. Its sadness at existing in isolation relates to the ongoing debate over whether single illustrations should be permitted within the Islamic artistic tradition, or whether such lone illustrations are blasphemous and encourage idolatry.
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The Tree Character Timeline in My Name is Red

The timeline below shows where the character The Tree appears in My Name is Red. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 10: I Am a Tree
Storytelling, Identity, and Perspective Theme Icon
Creation vs. Representation Theme Icon
Life, Death, and Consciousness Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Sin Theme Icon
Love, Desire, and Greed Theme Icon
The tree admits that it is lonely, and asks the audience to drink their coffees and listen... (full context)
Storytelling, Identity, and Perspective Theme Icon
Creation vs. Representation Theme Icon
Life, Death, and Consciousness Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Sin Theme Icon
...pages of the manuscript were carried long distances by messengers, including the picture of the tree. One night, the messenger carrying the tree was ambushed by thieves who robbed, raped, and... (full context)
Storytelling, Identity, and Perspective Theme Icon
Creation vs. Representation Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Sin Theme Icon
Love, Desire, and Greed Theme Icon
The Nedret Hoja of Sivas denounced painting, seducing “pretty boys,” and coffee. The tree says that one of its branches is bent, and this is because an enormous man... (full context)
Chapter 21: I Am Your Beloved Uncle
Storytelling, Identity, and Perspective Theme Icon
Creation vs. Representation Theme Icon
Life, Death, and Consciousness Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Sin Theme Icon
Love, Desire, and Greed Theme Icon
...miniaturists, he has completed most of the book’s illustrations, including a depiction of Death, a tree, Satan, a horse, a dog, and a coin. Enishte considers telling Black he wants him... (full context)