Memoir of
Marjane Life…
Persepolis is a graphicnovel-memoir written
through the lens of a
young girl coming of
age in Iran during the
Islamic Revolution and
the Iran-Iraq War.
Why did Marjane
write a memoir?
She says that Iran is
discussed mostly in relation
to "fundamentalism,
fanaticism, and terrorism";
and she goes on to say,
"this is far from the truth,"
and this concern is the
reason for writing the story.
Brief History to
understand Persepolis
Memoir
2015
Iran’ Government- The Shah
King, Prime Minister & Parliament
Reza Khan 1925-1941
Shah- Father & 1st King
Mohammad Reza Shah 2nd King
1941-1979
Constitutional Monarchy
Prime Minister ruled with Shah
Prime Minister Mossadegh
July 1952 – August 1953
Shah M. Reza
1941 –1979
1st Shah & British
coup against Prime Minister
1953 American CIA & British
sponsored coup of Mossadegh!
Iranian People are “upset” with
America for overthrowing their
leader…
Anti-Shah, anti- American feelings as
Shah rules ruthlessly over people..
 Shah Pahlavi ruled as
an
authoritarian/oppressiv
e monarch for the next
26 years, until he was
overthrown in a
popular revolt in 1979.
 Shah
westernized the
country & ally
of the U.S.
Shah & Savak!
5,000 strong police force
under the Shah.
With virtually unlimited
powers to arrest and
interrogate, SAVAK has
tortured and murdered
thousands of the Shah's
opponents.
Siamak & Mohsen in novel
Rex Cinema, Black Friday
Women in Iran before
Revolution in1979…
Novel begins in
1979… 26 years
later…
After revolution against
the Shah, an Islamic
Revolution, the new
government makes laws
saying women must wear
the burga and cover in
public.
Novel Persepolis Marjane’s
story of her life living through
the revolution & war with
Iraq!
1979-Revolution against
Reza Shah
Iranians overthrow Shah
Shah Leaves Iran.. to
America
Iranian Revolution of
1979 new religious leader..
Anti & Pro Ayatollah
Protest in Iran…
Women protest against
wearing Veil & Ayatollah
Pro- Ayatollah
Anti Veil/Ayatollah demonstrations
depicted in novel
Stop here; introduction to
novel cover rest at end of
novel.
Iran Hostage Crisis
 Fifty-two US citizens were
held hostage for 444 days
from November 4, 1979 to
January 20, 1981, after a
group of Islamic students
and militants took over the
Embassy of the United
States in support of the
Iranian.
 WHY WERE IRANIAN
UPSET WITH THE U.S.?
American Hostages during
Revolution 1979!
 U.S. cuts off
diplomatic
relations
with Iran
President
Carter
 A failed rescue attempt
!
1973 Oil Crisis
&
1979 Oil Crisis
Iraq invades Iran in 1980!