Persepolis Response

In the story of Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi teaches you her childhood memories as well as the history of Iran. Throughout the story, Marji endures various life changing experiences. Little did she know, many of which would change the way she lived. Marji grew up as an independent but very open minded girl in Iran. This story is based upon the history of the revolution of Iran as well as the Iran-Iraq war. This book shows the true amount of civilian hardship and struggle that Marji and her people endured. Throughout the story Marji learns all about her family history and how much of a role that they played in the development of the Iranian government.
The first events that happen in the story are in 1921 Reza Khan participated in staging a successful coupe to bring Iran together once again. In doing so, it lead him to become prime minister. This of course relieved him of his prior military responsibilities. In 1925, the National Assembly dethroned Ahmad Shah Qajar and replaced him with Khan as the new Shah. He then later changed his name to Reza Shah Pahlavi and ended the Qajar Dynasty and thus began the Pahlavi Dynasty. However, among the people of Iran, there were also some who had begun to dislike the Shah. The most popular reason was because of his plans and attempts to modernize the country. He also didn’t have the respect that he had hoped for from his fellow Iranians because of his disloyal behavior when it came to the British. Although, his modernization of Iran also at times was a good thing. For example, in his attempts to “westernize” Iran, he was able to produce rail roads, highways, and even the University of Tehran. In 1935, the Shah changes Persia’s (the once called Iran) name back to Iran. From 1939 to 1945, World War II had taken place which later lead to the discovery of oil in Iran. The war had left Iran poor and on the verge of corruption. In 1951, the oil that had been discovered was nationalized. This meant that the oil was no longer owned by the people who owned land, but by the Iranian government. Now that Iran’s reservoirs of oil had been discovered, other countries began to show their bitter interest in them. Next, in 1953, Mossadeq who was the new prime minister of Iran was overthrown by the United States’ own CIA. Followed by that, the Reza Shah was removed from power due to a coup that was also formed by the CIA. In his place, the Reza Shah’s son was put back into power as the new Shah. In 1963 The White Revolution had taken place. This was a time when Iran embarked on its largest modernization period ever. The British began westernizing everything and had the support of the new Shah in doing so. It wasn’t until 1974 when the Marji had actually come into the picture. Also at this time was when an embargo was proposed as well as other things in an attempt to stop Iran’s weapon supply and funding for the Kurds. Throughout this time period, their had been a constant border dispute between Iran and Iraq and it wasn’t until 1975 that it was finally settled.

Later in 1979, Saddam Hussein who was a secular military leader decided to invade Iran in hopes of gaining control of their oil rich land, resources, and banning the Islamic lifestyle. However before that in 1978, Iran had already been put under Marshall Law which meant Iranians were forced to respect their old traditions and once again live the life of a moderate Muslim. Many people such as women and Marji were clandestine in their attempts to disregard the veil even under their new extreme laws. Also in 1979, the Islamic Revolution had begun. This was when many martyrs as well as innocent civilians died at protests against the new government. Most of which were actually killed by the government themselves. Many of these tragic events took place on Black Friday which was a day in which the military could do whatever they wanted to the civilians that were protesting. In most cases it resulted in beatings and even killings. Growing up Marji felt that because her family wasn’t proletariats that they were decadent because of the things and opportunities that they had. In 1979, the Shah was exiled and fled to Egypt where he met up with Anwar Sadat the president of Egypt. Over the course of the next couple of years, the United States decided to dock some of their war ships in the Persian Gulf. In 1990, Iraq decided to no longer proceed in the attempt to force change upon Iran. Thus ended the Iran-Iraq war. Even though the war was over, the two countries were yet at total peace. Their was still contracts and agreements that hadn’t yet been dealt with. The prisoners had yet to be released and the contracts had yet to be signed. It wasn’t until 1996 that the war had officially ended.

This is only the brief history of Iran and if you want to learn more than I suggest that you read Persepolis for yourself. Marjane Satrapi’s way of writing shows you really veritable the conflicts and constant battles between the inner governments of Iran among others really are. Explore your mind and understand the true events that occur in other countries such as this one by reading Persepolis. You won’t be disappointed.

Throughout this story, Marji endures many different life changing things. Some of the things that she encounters are brutal murders and various immoral killings. Some of which are of those close to her family and/or friends. She experiences many different types of people such as government officials, military, poor, rich, you name it. However, all of this has helped her be able establish the goods from the bads and make her mind up by herself. These events have helped shape her into her own individual. She eventually learns about the tactics in which her government operates and how they run things. She then on her own was able to comprehend these things and determine for herself whether or not she agreed or disagreed with them. After watching her family and friends protest against some of the things that they themselves didn’t agree with, she was able to pick up on that and she developed an understanding of where her family comes from.

I am unsure as to what the expectations are for the third part of this response I will talk to you when I am better.