PERSEP0LISPERSEP0LISThe Story of The Story of ChildhoodChildhood

Historical Historical ContextContext

BEFORE the Islamic BEFORE the Islamic RevolutionRevolution

1941-19791941-1979 Shah Reza PahlaviShah Reza Pahlavi Supported the Europeanization of IranSupported the Europeanization of Iran Continued the secular and economic Continued the secular and economic

reforms of his father (previous shah)reforms of his father (previous shah) Emphasized military might, agricultural Emphasized military might, agricultural

reform, industrializationreform, industrialization Women were free to study abroad and Women were free to study abroad and

serve important posts in governmentserve important posts in government

1979 Islamic Revolution1979 Islamic Revolution

Shi’ite leader Ayatalloh Ruhollah KhomeiniShi’ite leader Ayatalloh Ruhollah Khomeini Established a Established a theocratic statetheocratic state based on based on

IslamIslam Staunch rejection of any Western influence Staunch rejection of any Western influence

(Europe and US)(Europe and US) Resistance crushed by mass imprisonments Resistance crushed by mass imprisonments

and executionsand executions Women’s lives were especially restricted Women’s lives were especially restricted

(ex: the veil, chaperoned excursions)(ex: the veil, chaperoned excursions) Led to Iranian isolationLed to Iranian isolation

IRAN-IRAQ War (1980-1988)IRAN-IRAQ War (1980-1988)

1979: Islamic Revolution (Iran vulnerable?)1979: Islamic Revolution (Iran vulnerable?) 1980: Saddam Hussein invaded Iran to 1980: Saddam Hussein invaded Iran to

acquire territoryacquire territory Iraq underestimated the Iran’s Iraq underestimated the Iran’s

determinationdetermination Iran lost thousands of young men who Iran lost thousands of young men who

fought in the name of Islamfought in the name of Islam Peace was brokered only after 8 yearsPeace was brokered only after 8 years

PERSEPOLISPERSEPOLIS

Graphic Novel/MemoirGraphic Novel/Memoir Begins with the 1979 Islamic Begins with the 1979 Islamic

Revolution Revolution Story follows Marjane Satrapi from Story follows Marjane Satrapi from

ages 6 through 14ages 6 through 14 Witnesses the devastating effects of Witnesses the devastating effects of

the Iran-Iraq warthe Iran-Iraq war

ObjectivesObjectives

To understand and appreciate…To understand and appreciate… the power of storytelling in words the power of storytelling in words andand pictures pictures (build vocabulary and knowledge of graphic (build vocabulary and knowledge of graphic novel genre)novel genre)

the search for identity and the search for identity and bildüngsromanbildüngsroman

the ways in which our identities are the ways in which our identities are shaped by culture and historyshaped by culture and history

Excerpt Excerpt from from

PersepolisPersepolis