Marjane Satrapis Persepolis Background Information Persepolis is set

Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis: Background Information

Persepolis is set in Iran in the 1980 s

Persepolis • Persepolis or Takht-é Jamshid was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire. • Was built in about 500 BCE by Kings Darius, Xerxes and their successors. • The site of Persepolis is very large, over 125, 000 meters. • The original Persepolis stood on a platform about 10 meters higher than the surrounding plains. • Destroyed by Alexander the Great at 331 BCE.

Why did Satrapi choose Persepolis as the title of her graphic novel? • Represents wealth and might of the Persian empire. • Also represents feats of engineering, art and architecture. • Pinnacle of world architecture at the time. • Great source of Iranian national and historical pride.

Other allusions in Persepolis: Zarathustra/ Zoroastrianism • Zarathustra/ Zoraster: a Persian poet and philosopher born between the 18 th and 10 th century BCE. • Zoroastrianism: a religion that believes in a creator (Mazda), good and evil, and the purifying powers of water and fire. • Belief that active participation in life through good thoughts, words, and deeds brings happiness and keeps away chaos. Was the national religion for many Iranian people for many centuries. • Alexander’s invasion (331 BCE) and the introduction of Islam (637 -651 AD) led to its decline.

Other allusions in Persepolis: Modern Iranian History: Reza Shah Pahlavi (1878 -1944) • Shah of the Imperial State of Iran from 1925 to 1941 • Britain and USSR were concerned about his friendly relations with Germany-invaded and overtook large amounts of land in Iran until he was forced to abdicate throne in 1941. • He brought many socio-economic reforms, government reforms, and modern amenities to Iran. • He’s considered the father of modern Iran by many. • His son took over the throne in his place

Other allusions in Persepolis: Modern Iranian History: Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi (1919 -1980) • • Ruled Iran 1941 until the Iranian Revolution in 1979—often called “The Shah” The British-Soviet invasion forced his father to give up his throne, and placed him in the throne instead. Iranian oil was nationalized under his rule and the prime ministership of Mohammad Mossadeq. He was often indecisive and was considered a “puppet” leader of US and Britain Was a secular Muslim and lost support from the Shi'a clergy of Iran due to his policies of modernization and secularizationand his recognition of Israel. Extended land reform, voting rights for women, and worked to eliminate illiteracy Liberals feared his government took too much control from a democracy; conservatives disliked his secular laws

Other allusions in Persepolis: Modern Iranian History: Mohammad Mossadeq (1882 – 1967) • Democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran from 1951 to 1953 when he was overthrown in a coup d'état backed by the CIA (and supported by the Shah) • He made efforts to nationalize Iranian oil, which had previously been under the control of the British. Thus, the British asked CIA to step in to regain control of oil. • This plan was successful, and until the 1979 revolution, oil remained in the hands of Britain and the US.

Other allusions in Persepolis: Modern Iranian History: Islamic Revolution (of 1979) • Demonstrations and strikes against the Shah began in 1977 and were partly secular and partly religious (the left & right). • In 1979, the Shah left Iran for exile, and there was a power vacuum for two weeks. • Throughout 1979, Iran voted by national referendum to become an Islamic Republic and to approve a new theocratic constitution whereby Ayatollah Khomeini became Supreme Leader of the country (highest ranking political and religious authority). • The revolution produced profound change at great speed. • In the 1980 s, Iranian immigration to the US increased by 74%. Many of these Iranian immigrants were opposed to the changes in their country.

Current Iranian leaders Pop Quiz… • Does anyone know who the president of Iran is today? • Does anyone know who he succeeded (who was president before him? )

The answer is… § President Hassan Rouhani § Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

More allusions in Persepolis: • Revolutionaries: Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, Ataturk, Gandhi. • Intellectuals: Karl Marx (Communist Manifesto), Descartes (I think, therefore I am). • Texts: Dialectic Materialism (its thesis: every economic order grows to a state of maximum efficiency, while at the same time developing internal contradictions or weaknesses that contribute to its decay).

Islam in Persepolis • Satrapi comes from a secular family involved in socialist movements in Iran not happy about Islamic revolution. • Persepolis is a memoir of her childhood, and at times pokes fun at Islamic practices: hijab (wearing the veil) and selfflagellation during holidays. • As explained in the book, as a young child, she didn’t understand these practices. • I want to make a point that wearing hijab is not a joke and jokes of this nature are offensive. • At the same time, Satrapi’s point about the lack of religious freedom in post-revolutionary Iran is noteworthy.

Other Possible Objections… • This book, like all non-fiction texts, is one woman’s perspective and opinion about the events that took place during the Iranian Revolution—it is NOT agreed upon by everyone and is offensive to some. • Possible offensive moments in the book: – Graphic image of Allah in opening chapters – Self-flagellation scenes – Mocking of the hijab – Prison torture/urination scene