In the 1970’s and 1980’s Iran underwent a revolution that would change the policies of the entire nation. The monarchy lead by Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi wanted to modernize and westernize Iran, whereas Ayatollah Khomeini wanted to get back to the roots of Islamic customs. The clash of ideals resulted in a revolution in Iran that put the Islamic Republic into power. Thousands of men and women were imprisoned for their political beliefs. Everyday people had to worry about what they wore, what the government thought of them and if they were being too rebellious. The novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi depicts some of the hardships that she faced while living through the drastic changes set in motion by the revolution.
In Persepolis, …show more content…
A family friend that was imprisoned by the old regime was killed in his own home because he was considered a communist[7]. Siamak was also considered a communist and was forced to leave the country. His sister however was killed in his place when he could not be found[8]. Religious persecutions also took place during this time. The targets of the state were those who were atheist or agnostics. The state also went after those who did not practice Islam the way that the republic viewed Islam[9]. This forced men, women, and children to flee the country to escape religious and political persecution. Whole families were threatened even if it was just one person that was against the Islamic republic. If the government even had a hint of doubt that someone was against the government, they were thrown in jail. Marjane had met her uncle Anoosh who left tostudy Marxism in the Soviet Union only to be thrown into prison by the Shah for nine years upon his return. When he was released he spent time with Marjane telling her about life in prison and his story. He was eventually arrested and executed by the Islamic Republic because the government suspected of him being a Russian spy[10]. Even though he studied and received a degree in Marxism he came home to be with his family. It goes to show that even by having a different political view the government had suspicions that it would lead to an uprising. So, they exterminated all that did not believe in the
In Persepolis, …show more content…
A family friend that was imprisoned by the old regime was killed in his own home because he was considered a communist[7]. Siamak was also considered a communist and was forced to leave the country. His sister however was killed in his place when he could not be found[8]. Religious persecutions also took place during this time. The targets of the state were those who were atheist or agnostics. The state also went after those who did not practice Islam the way that the republic viewed Islam[9]. This forced men, women, and children to flee the country to escape religious and political persecution. Whole families were threatened even if it was just one person that was against the Islamic republic. If the government even had a hint of doubt that someone was against the government, they were thrown in jail. Marjane had met her uncle Anoosh who left tostudy Marxism in the Soviet Union only to be thrown into prison by the Shah for nine years upon his return. When he was released he spent time with Marjane telling her about life in prison and his story. He was eventually arrested and executed by the Islamic Republic because the government suspected of him being a Russian spy[10]. Even though he studied and received a degree in Marxism he came home to be with his family. It goes to show that even by having a different political view the government had suspicions that it would lead to an uprising. So, they exterminated all that did not believe in the