My Name is Red: Chapter 54 Summary & Analysis

The storyteller imagines that people will object to him impersonating a woman, but he pays this no mind. He has known four women personally: his mother, his aunt, his sister-in-law (who he fell in love with), and a woman he once saw at an open window while he was traveling. He says that it is important for men not to gaze at women, as this will provoke lust; instead, they should settle for “pretty boys.” In Europe, where the women walk around uncovered, the men walk around in a constant state of arousal, which is why they are so often defeated by the Ottomans in battle. As a child, the storyteller was curious about women and fantasized about dressing up in women’s clothes, however he was never able to express these thoughts. One day, he dressed in his mother’s clothing and fantasized about a man falling in love with him. Seeing his own reflection gave him an erection, and he began to sing a poem about his conflicted identity.

The storyteller announces that he doesn’t care if the Erzurumis hear him singing. He has heard rumors that the Hoja of Erzurum prefers young boys to his own wife. He then tells a story about a Chelebi (gentleman) called Ahment who falls in love with a married woman. He doesn’t tell anyone about his love, but his neighbors nonetheless find out because he gets drunk and cries every night. Eventually, the Chelebi moves away with his own wife, leaving the woman he loves behind, and he is never happy again. The storyteller comments: “Oh, how wonderful love is!” and then exclaims as he notices strangers bursting through the coffeehouse door.