Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Darius the Great Is Not Okay, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Friendship
Family
Persian Identity and Culture
Mental Health, Depression, and Connection
Bullying
Summary
Analysis
Sohrab leads Darius to the park. Somehow, he doesn’t drop the box in his hands as they climb to the top of the bathroom. Finally, Darius offers condolences for Sohrab’s dad, but Sohrab says he doesn’t want to talk about it. Maybe someday, though, he will. Then, Sohrab hands over the box, a birthday present. Inside is a framed photo of Darius and Sohrab from Nowruz. It makes Darius tear up, and he says he’s never had a friend like Sohrab. Sohrab says he’s never had a friend like Darius, and he admires that Darius knows who he is and doesn’t try to change himself. Darius says that’s not true; Sohrab is the first person who hasn’t wanted him to change. The azan rings out, and Sohrab’s face relaxes. The boys put their arms over each other’s shoulders and sit in companionable silence.
Darius has never been in a position to comfort a grieving friend, so he’s not sure what to do here. But he lets Sohrab take the lead and show him what he wants: for them to focus on each other and their friendship, not on Sohrab’s dad. Sohrab’s gift of the photograph commemorates their friendship and gives Darius another tangible reminder of his time in Iran. Additionally, Darius hits on something the novel suggests is essential to true friendship: not trying to change a friend. This has allowed Darius and Sohrab to connect and explains why Darius hasn’t been able to connect with kids at home (kids like Trent want him to change, and for his part, Darius wants Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy to not be Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy).
Themes
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 say goodbye, but Sohrab pulls him into a hug. He doesn’t kiss Darius on the cheek like a Persian or slap Darius’s back like a Soulless Minion of Orthodoxy. They just hold each other, and when they pull apart, Sohrab gives Darius a sad smile. They don’t say anything, but Darius knows he loves Sohrab. He loves being Sohrab’s Darioush, but he’s ready to go home and be Darius.
Darius has never had to say goodbye to a friend before, so this moment is particularly bittersweet. The hug—which Darius suggests is neither really Persian nor American—simply reflects Darius and Sohrab’s feelings for each other. And having made up with Sohrab, Darius finally feels ready to go home. Noting that he’s ready to be Darius again suggests that this is who Darius really is: he identifies with the American version of his name, which is nevertheless Persian.
Themes
Dayi Jamsheed arrives early in the morning to drive Darius’s family to the airport. Darius is the first one ready, so he sits on the couch to read for his econ class. Laleh snuggles in next to him, and Darius marvels at how much he loves his sister. Dad comes in a bit later and tells Darius he’s proud of Darius for doing his homework. This is odd, but Darius wants to accept Dad’s attempts to make things better.
The Kellner family’s final minutes in Yazd are about family. Darius and Laleh reaffirm their love for each other, and Darius is now even more willing to give Dad the benefit of the doubt and accept his overtures. This reflects Darius’s maturity. It also shows that Dad is now going out of his way to make Darius feel loved and appreciated.
Themes
When Mamou tells Darius goodbye, she kisses his cheeks until his cheeks are hot enough to boil her tears off of them. Darius tells himself he’s going to call Mamou weekly and always say hi when she and Mom talk, but he knows he’ll fail—he’ll have to say goodbye each time. He’s not sure he’ll survive his emotions, now that he’s found them. Mamou embraces Laleh next, but Darius can’t watch. He throws his messenger bag over his shoulder and approaches Babou. Babou kisses Darius’s cheeks and tells Darius to take care of Dad. (Maybe it’s true that Dad needs Darius to take care of him.) Then, Darius hugs Babou and tells Babou he loves him. To his surprise, Babou hugs him back.
Darius makes it clear here that the trip to Yazd has been many things, but it’s mostly been a time for Darius to discover how to feel his feelings and be emotional around his family members. Now, Darius puts this into practice when he doesn’t just accept Babou’s kisses—he actively hugs Babou and says “I love you” of his own volition. In their parting moments, Darius is doing his best to show his grandfather that he loves and cares for him, something that Darius seems to hope will make them both feel good and valued.
Themes
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The worst part is watching Mom and Babou say goodbye, since they know they won’t see each other again. Darius knows Mom is saying goodbye to this Babou, as well as the strong, happy Babou she knew years ago. Mom sobs. Finally, the family loads into Dayi Jamsheed’s SUV. Laleh falls asleep immediately on Darius’s shoulder, and Dad smiles back at Darius.
Darius remains very empathetic: he realizes that this parting is hardest on Mom, and he feels for her. But he also knows that the best thing he can do right now is to be here for Laleh so that Mom can have her time to say goodbye to her dad without having to worry about her young daughter.
Themes
