1. A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America
Funny in Farsi:
A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America
By Firoozeh Dumas

2. Firoozeh [feeuh-rue-zay] Dumas [doo-mas]

3. Firoozeh Dumas فیروزه دوما

4. Firoozeh Dumas
Born in Iran (1970) - Moved to California at the age of seven; once more at age 11

5. Firoozeh Dumas
Experiences best (pre-) and worst (Iranian Revolution) of acceptance in America

6. Multiple award nominations - Also writes Laughing Without An Accent
Firoozeh Dumas
Multiple award nominations - Also writes Laughing Without An Accent

7. Iran (Persia)

8. Iran (Persia) [Ee-rahn]
Islamic Republic since 1979 (mostly secular) - Official language: Persian (Farsi)

9. Iranian/American Relations
US interested in Iranian oil since end of WWII - US had good relationship with 1950’s Iranian Prime Minister Pahlavi

10. Iranian/American Relations
Iran elects another Prime Minister in CIA finances assassination and restores Prime Minister Pahlavi’s power

11. Iranian/American Relations
1979 Iranian Revolution throws out Pahlavi and replaces him with anti-American leader - Iranians hold the American Embassy hostage for 444 days

12. Iranian/American Relations
1988 US shoots down an Iranian passenger airplane by mistake - Tensions still high, President Bush includes Iran in “Axis of Evil” terrorism threats

13. Iranian/American Relations
US currently fears possibility of Iran having nuclear weapons - This year President Obama and President Ahmadinejad trying to work together

14. Iranian/American Relations
US citizens perceive Iranians as terrorist Muslims - In fact, most Iranians are Islamic more in culture than in fundamental religion

16. Iranian/American Relations
Iranian citizens perceive the US as holding the country “hostage” for its resources - In fact, most US citizens believe the US is in the Middle East for homeland security (not oil)

18. LITERARY TERMS
MEMOIR a piece of autobiographical writing, usually shorter in nature and specific to a certain event/time

19. LITERARY TERMS
VIGNETTE A short, usually descriptive literary sketch (Brief chapter on a single topic)

20. LITERARY TERMS
MEIOSIS Deliberate understatement of the obvious to create humor EX: “It’s a bit of a breeze” (during tornado)

21. LITERARY TERMS
HYPERBOLE Deliberate overstatement / exaggeration to create humor EX: “I’m the only sane person in this room”

22. LITERARY TERMS
COMIC IRONY Stating one thing while meaning another to create humor EX: “Of course you can use my key while taking the test”