PERSEPOLIS Marjane Satrapi

BACKGROUND

•The story is an autobiographical account of Satrapi’s childhood in Iran during and after the Iranian revolution.

•It was originally published in French

• Persepolis literally means “City of Persians”• It was the capitol city of the “Achaemenid Empire” in 550-330 BC• Also known as the First Persian Empire• The city is in Iran

THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION (1978-1979)•Based around the overthrow of Mohamed Reza (U.S backed)• Eventually replaced by Ayatollah Khomeini • Became an Islamic Republic

•Iranians started thinking that Iran was becoming “Western” or “Secular”

•The Shah’s regime became too oppressive, corrupt, and extravagant.

•People thought that the Shah was a non-Muslim puppet for western powers (U.S., Great Britain).

•There was an Islamic revival that opposed Westernization

OPPOSITION TO THE SHAH

•Rise of Ayatollah Khomeini• Created propaganda against the Shah saying that he was trying to destroy Islam• Khomeini preached that revolt, and especially martyrdom, against injustice and tyranny was part of Shia Islam, and that Muslims should reject the influence of both liberal capitalism and communism

Freedom Movement of Iran• Secular•Middle-Class• Supported the Iranian Constitution of 1906

•Marxist Groups• Tudeh Communist Party of Iran• Supported Nationalization of Iran’s Oil

THE ISLAMIC THEOCRACY AND THE VEIL

“According to the psychologists, people who use improper outfits or disgusting make-up are suffering from character disorders”

100 Years Of Beauty: Iran