Mamou Character Analysis in Darius the Great Is Not Okay

Mamou is Mom’s mother and Darius’s grandmother. She lives with her husband, Babou, in Yazd, Iran. Darius adores his grandmother and always has—she’s loving and open—but he struggles to know what to say to her, especially over video calls. When Darius and his family finally visit her in Iran for the first time, Darius is struck by how openly affectionate she is. She takes every opportunity to hug or kiss Darius, or to tell him she loves him, and she keeps him constantly fed with his favorite food and desserts (she’s known locally for her cooking and baking). Still, Darius isn’t able to truly open up to Mamou and get to know her until he notices she’s listening to ABBA on the radio—and she says ABBA is her favorite group. He recognizes that Mamou is struggling, as Babou’s brain tumor means that he’s sometimes cruel, angry, or forgetful, and he often takes out his emotions on her.

Mamou Quotes in Darius the Great Is Not Okay

The Darius the Great Is Not Okay quotes below are all either spoken by Mamou or refer to Mamou. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“I love you, maman.”

Grandma and Oma, Dad’s moms, didn’t say that very often. It’s not that they didn’t love me and Laleh, but they were full of Teutonic reserve, and didn’t express affection very often.

Mamou wasn’t like that.

For Fariba Bahrami, love was an opportunity, not a burden.

I swallowed away the lump in my throat. “I love you, Mamou.”

Related Characters: Darius Kellner (speaker), Mamou (speaker), Dad

Page Number and Citation: 75

Explanation and Analysis:

In theory, taarof means putting others before yourself. In practice, it means when someone comes to your house, you have to offer them food; but since your guest is supposed to taarof, they have to refuse; and then you, the host, must taarof back, insisting that it’s really no trouble at all, and that they absolutely must eat; and so on, until one party gets too bewildered and finally gives in.

I never got the hang of taarofing. It’s not an American Social Cue.

Related Characters: Darius Kellner (speaker), Mamou, Dayi Jamsheed, Babou, Mom

Page Number and Citation: 78

Explanation and Analysis:

Mamou popped the lid and unsealed the tea. “It looks good, maman. Thank you. You are so sweet. Just like your dad.” She pulled me close and kissed me on both cheeks.

If I had been drinking tea at that moment, I would have imitated Javaneh Esfahani and shot it out of my nose.

No one had ever called Stephen Kellner sweet.

Not ever.

Related Characters: Mamou (speaker), Darius Kellner (speaker), Javaneh Esfahani, Dad

Page Number and Citation: 126

Explanation and Analysis:

“Mamou thought it was too much driving to come here. To see this. But it’s important for you to know where you come from.”

I didn’t understand Ardeshir Bahrami.

Yesterday I wasn’t Persian enough because I didn’t speak Farsi, because I took medicine for depression, because I brought him and Mamou fancy tea.

He made me feel small and stupid.

Now he was determined to show me my heritage.

Maybe Ardeshir Bahrami experienced Mood Slingshot Maneuvers too.

Related Characters: Babou (speaker), Darius Kellner (speaker), Mamou

Page Number and Citation: 158

Explanation and Analysis:

And even though I hated getting shuffled around and grabbed by my love handles, my rubbery constipated face did relax into a smile.

I had never been surrounded by my family before. Not really.

When Dayi Jamsheed started herding us together into a big group photo, my eyes started burning. I couldn’t help it.

I loved them.

Related Characters: Darius Kellner (speaker), Mom, Babou, Dad, Laleh Kellner, Dayi Jamsheed, Mamou

Page Number and Citation: 174

Explanation and Analysis:

“You don’t keep the leaves in?” Mamou asked.

“It gets bitter if you let it steep too long.”

“Oh. Thank you, maman. I love this tea.”

I loved my grandmother.

Before, she had been photons on a computer screen.

Now she was real, and full of the most amazing contradictions.

I wanted to know more.

Related Characters: Mamou (speaker), Darius Kellner (speaker), Babou

Page Number and Citation: 253

Explanation and Analysis:

Mamou Character Timeline in Darius the Great Is Not Okay

The timeline below shows where the character Mamou appears in Darius the Great Is Not Okay. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...plops onto the couch and announces that Mom is talking to Dayi Jamsheed, who’s at Mamou and Babou’s house. Just then, Mom calls for Dad, Laleh, and Darius to come say... (full context)

Mental Health, Depression, and Connection Theme Icon

Mamou is on the screen, speaking to Laleh in Farsi about school. Dad and Darius kneel... (full context)

...feel like acting like “a real father and son.” Before long, Mom yells for Darius; Mamou and Babou are on Skype. As Darius squeezes into the frame, Mom calls him Darioush,... (full context)

...packs a tin of fruity, floral tea from Rose City Teas that he bought for Mamou. Hopefully she likes it; it’s hard to buy gifts for someone you’ve never met. (full context)

...Persian” households like his usually smell like rice). He almost drops Laleh when he hears Mamou scream and sees her running toward them. Darius has never seen Mom so happy as... (full context)

Mamou asks Darius about school and if he has a girlfriend. He doesn’t want to explain... (full context)

Darius wakes up to Mamou saying that they’re here. Yazd doesn’t look like a scene from Aladdin; the asphalt is... (full context)

...finally gives in, Darius takes a few pieces of luggage from him. As Darius follows Mamou up the driveway, he asks where Babou is. Mamou says he’s in bed; he’s been... (full context)

The room is small and features more family photos, including one of teenage Mamou that Mom also has framed at home. Darius starts to undress and studies the ensuite... (full context)

...fellow Persian. Sohrab says he lives close, which is revelatory for Darius—he’d never considered that Mamou and Babou have neighbors. Finally, Sohrab finishes untangling the hose, points it at Darius, and... (full context)

...smiles and shakes his head, and Darius’s face burns. In Farsi, Babou says something about Mamou and robe, which is pomegranate molasses. In English, Sohrab invites Darius to come with him... (full context)

...Sohrab introduces Darius to his uncle, Agha Rezaei. Darius blushes when Agha Rezaei asks if Mamou prefers sweeter or sourer robe—he doesn’t know—but Agha Rezaei chooses one for Darius. At the... (full context)

...tells Babou about the flight in Farsi. Darius keeps nodding off and finally, Mom and Mamou tell Darius to go to bed. Mamou walks Darius to his room and says she’s... (full context)

When Darius gets up the next morning, Mamou, Mom, Laleh, and Dad are already in town. Babou is in his room with the... (full context)

...in bed. He decides that Sohrab is another Soulless Minion of Orthodoxy. After a while, Mamou knocks on the door and invites Darius to come out for tea and cookies. He... (full context)

Darius dresses and fishes in his messenger bag for the tin of tea for Mamou. She’s at the sink in the kitchen, which allows her a view of the back... (full context)

Darius has eaten only one qottab when Sohrab knocks on the door. Mamou sends Darius to go get it, and Darius is shocked to see Sohrab holding an... (full context)

...at the bottom of the pot. And later, before he leaves, he tells Darius that Mamou invited him to join the family for their trip to Persepolis tomorrow, but he won’t... (full context)

...teacup to the kitchen, where Babou asks him to explain the tea he brought for Mamou. Babou insists that’s not tea and demands to teach Darius how to make proper Persian... (full context)

...so they can leave soon. Soon after, Darius and Dad are outside waiting while Mom, Mamou, and Laleh are still inside, yelling. Babou pulls the car, a boxy blue minivan that... (full context)

...is still impressive. Through the gate they reach Darioush the Great’s palace, where Mom and Mamou are waiting. Mom is upset that Dad is sketching and goes back to tell him... (full context)

...slows the van down and starts to snap at Mom in Farsi. He argues with Mamou until he finally slams on the brakes. When Mom tells Dad she’s going to finish... (full context)

Darius finds Mamou in the kitchen with a cup of tea. She confirms that he put cinnamon in... (full context)

...introduces his mom, Khanum Rezaei. She kisses Darius and then flies across the room toward Mamou. Darius asks if Sohrab’s dad is coming, but Sohrab shifts nervously and says it’s just... (full context)

Just as Sohrab snaps the photo, Babou stands and says something to Mamou in Farsi that causes the entire house to go silent. Then, Babou starts shouting angrily.... (full context)

...school or work (though Darius never told anyone why he was out of school). When Mamou and Babou emerge from their room, they give out gifts, just like Christmas. They give... (full context)

...to the kitchen and finds Dad doing dishes. He insists on helping and shares that Mamou said it was sweet that Dad does dishes. Dad says that Mamou told Mom he... (full context)

...more fun, but then Sohrab drags Darius onto the floor. It hurts that Sohrab and Mamou have celebrated Nowruz like this before, and Darius is jealous when Mamou kisses Sohrab on... (full context)

...picks up a towel to dry and remarks on a platter that his family sent Mamou and Babou last year. Mom says it was for their anniversary—and Darius thinks of how... (full context)

...turns on a soap opera and switches to English to tell Darius what’s going on. Mamou wakes up a bit later and asks if Darius would make her the tea he... (full context)

Mom emerges around 10:00 a.m., dressed nicely, and says she and Mamou are going to visit friends. It’s a Nowruz tradition that Darius has never heard of.... (full context)

...of the tumor. Darius asks what Babou was like, and Sohrab says that he and Mamou helped a lot when Sohrab’s dad went to prison. Once he came over and asked... (full context)

...Yazd until Mom tells him where to pull over. He and Mom walk ahead with Mamou, while Darius decides to walk in the back so he can keep an eye on... (full context)

Babou points across the valley to another tower where Mamou’s ancestors were buried and says that their family has been in Yazd for generations—but now,... (full context)

At Mamou’s house, Sohrab asks Darius if he can stay out. They turn down Mamou’s offer of... (full context)

Darius finds Mamou in the kitchen and tells her about wanting to get Sohrab cleats. She accepts his... (full context)

...day the next week playing soccer with Sohrab, except for Friday. This is the day Mamou is making chelo kabob, which is a huge treat. At home, Darius and Laleh only... (full context)

...Rezaei opens the door, Darius returns her Bahá’í greeting, which makes her smile. She says Mamou makes the best chelo kabob and sends Darius to the backyard to find Sohrab, who’s... (full context)

Mamou’s chelo kabob is indeed the best chelo kabob in the world. Everyone overeats, and Nazgul... (full context)

...pointers after each round, and Darius has fun. Finally, Sohrab and Khanum Rezaei leave, and Mamou pulls Darius into a big hug. He wishes he could somehow take her hugs home... (full context)

Babou yells for Mamou to get him some hairpins, and she pins Darius’s hair up so the white cap... (full context)

When they get to the Atashkadeh, Mamou lets Darius and Laleh out of the car and then gets back in, explaining that... (full context)

...left his shoes at Sohrab’s, but he can’t go back for them or go to Mamou’s. He runs, certain Sohrab is right. He’s a coward. Darius wants to go home to... (full context)

Sizdeh Bedar is canceled. Everyone goes to the Rezaeis’ house with the food Mamou made for the picnic on Sizdeh Bedar/Darius’s birthday. As Mom wishes Darius a happy birthday,... (full context)

Birthdays aren’t a big deal in Iran, but Mamou still makes Darius’s favorite dish for dinner. She and Babou also give Darius an antique... (full context)

...and Mom discuss that Darius is ready to go home, but he’s going to miss Mamou and Babou. (full context)

...kitchen and drinks tea with Babou and Laleh. Babou is reading to Laleh in Farsi. Mamou comes in and tells Darius that Sohrab is here to say goodbye. Sohrab is standing... (full context)

Everything is quiet when Darius and Sohrab get back to Mamou’s house—except for Dad and Babou playing Rook in the kitchen. Darius isn’t sure how to... (full context)

When Mamou tells Darius goodbye, she kisses his cheeks until his cheeks are hot enough to boil... (full context)

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

Mamou Character Analysis

Mamou Quotes in Darius the Great Is Not Okay

The Dancing Fan Quotes

The Dessert Capital of the Ancient World Quotes

The Kolinahr Discipline Quotes

Persian Casual Quotes

Make It So Quotes

Mamou Character Timeline in Darius the Great Is Not Okay