Historical Context of Persepolis
The Iranian Revolution (1978-1979)
Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis" is set against the backdrop of one of the most significant political upheavals in modern Middle Eastern history. The Iranian Revolution transformed Iran from a monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini.
NoteThe revolution didn't happen overnight - it was the culmination of decades of social tension, economic inequality, and cultural conflicts between modernization and traditional Islamic values.
Key events that shaped the narrative:
- Mass protests against the Shah's regime
- The Shah's exile in January 1979
- Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile
- Establishment of the Islamic Republic
Pre-Revolutionary Iran
The Shah's Iran was characterized by:
- Rapid westernization
- Secular policies
- Close ties with Western powers
- Economic modernization
In the book, young Marji's family represents the educated, secular middle class who initially supported modernization but became disillusioned with both the Shah's authoritarianism and the subsequent Islamic regime.
"My father was born into a family of wealthy landowners. A family who had lost everything under the Shah's agrarian reform."
The Islamic Republic
The new regime brought dramatic changes:
- Implementation of strict Islamic law
- Mandatory veiling for women
- Cultural restrictions
- Political repression
Pay attention to how Satrapi uses visual metaphors to show the transformation of society, particularly through the changing appearance of people on the streets.
