PERSEP0LIS The Story of Childhood Historical Context

BEFORE the Islamic Revolution Shah Reza Pahlavi Shah Reza Pahlavi Supported the Europeanization of Iran Supported the Europeanization of Iran Continued the secular and economic reforms of his father (previous shah) Continued the secular and economic reforms of his father (previous shah) Emphasized military might, agricultural reform, industrialization Emphasized military might, agricultural reform, industrialization Women were free to study abroad and serve important posts in government Women were free to study abroad and serve important posts in government

1979 Islamic Revolution Shi’ite leader Ayatalloh Ruhollah Khomeini Shi’ite leader Ayatalloh Ruhollah Khomeini Established a theocratic state based on Islam Established a theocratic state based on Islam Staunch rejection of any Western influence (Europe and US) Staunch rejection of any Western influence (Europe and US) Resistance crushed by mass imprisonments and executions Resistance crushed by mass imprisonments and executions Women’s lives were especially restricted (ex: the veil, chaperoned excursions) Women’s lives were especially restricted (ex: the veil, chaperoned excursions) Led to Iranian isolation Led to Iranian isolation

IRAN-IRAQ War ( ) 1979: Islamic Revolution (Iran vulnerable?) 1979: Islamic Revolution (Iran vulnerable?) 1980: Saddam Hussein invaded Iran to acquire territory 1980: Saddam Hussein invaded Iran to acquire territory Iraq underestimated the Iran’s determination Iraq underestimated the Iran’s determination Iran lost thousands of young men who fought in the name of Islam Iran lost thousands of young men who fought in the name of Islam Peace was brokered only after 8 years Peace was brokered only after 8 years

PERSEPOLIS Graphic Novel/Memoir Graphic Novel/Memoir Begins with the 1979 Islamic Revolution Begins with the 1979 Islamic Revolution Story follows Marjane Satrapi from ages 6 through 14 Story follows Marjane Satrapi from ages 6 through 14 Witnesses the devastating effects of the Iran-Iraq war Witnesses the devastating effects of the Iran-Iraq war

Objectives To understand and appreciate… the power of storytelling in words and pictures (build vocabulary and knowledge of graphic novel genre) the power of storytelling in words and pictures (build vocabulary and knowledge of graphic novel genre) the search for identity and bildüngsroman the search for identity and bildüngsroman the ways in which our identities are shaped by culture and history the ways in which our identities are shaped by culture and history

Excerpt from Persepolis