These friends help Marjane discover where she fits into Iranian society. She may not be able to connect with all of her classmates, but there are some who feel just as repressed as she does. Partying and gathering together gives these students a way to connect and express themselves—though Marjane makes it clear that only being able to express oneself in private is emotionally taxing. In this sense, the divide between one’s private and public life becomes another source of trauma.