“I knew belief in the powers of other people’s jealousy and the jinxing of an evil eye needed to be cast off. But at the age of thirty-eight, in the middle of that massive Manhattan department store, I was still unwittingly beholden to superstition.”

The first chapter of the novel introduces Ellie as a character and her conflicts, including her estranged friendship with Homa, the theme of Jealousy, Guilt, and Redemption, and the idea of superstition, for which the evil eye becomes a symbol. Opening the novel in this moment creates suspense for the reader and also makes the first four parts of the novel essentially a flashback.

“A bird from the fables. A bird from our ancient Persian Zoroastrian mythology. The homa bird never rests on the ground. They say this bird lives its entire life invisible above us all.”

The homa bird represents the culture and beliefs of ancient Persia, which is a motif throughout the novel, as Persian culture has helped form modern-day Iran. The bird also becomes a symbol for the character of Homa, as they share several qualities.

“From that very first visit, I wanted what Homa had. I wanted her family. Her living father, her kind mother. I wanted her fat, edible baby sister.”

Meeting Homa’s family is an ironic moment because Ellie’s mother has taught her to look down on those of Homa’s class. Instead, Ellie is jealous of Homa’s family and wishes she belonged in their home. This is the beginning of the jealousy that later plays a part in Ellie’s motivation when she unwittingly exposes Homa to the colonel.