After World War II, Britain maintained significant influence over Iranian oil supplies through the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (Farber, 2005). The Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh, attempted to nationalize this company, and was summarily ousted in a coup d’etat largely orchestrated by the CIA (Farber, 2005). Once the United States’ involvement in the coup became common knowledge among the Iranian people, many of…
In 2004, two successful authors, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Irshad Manji met over an interview and bonded immediately due to their passion for the same cause. They are two Muslim rebel’s sisters who are against radical Islam. Both have been targets for death threats due to their support for the feminist movement and for their rebellion against Islam and require constant protection. Ms. Hirsi Ali rejects Islam while Ms. Manji is a practicing Muslim who is against Sunni Islam. She aims to reform some of…
On July 11th, as evidence in the declining health of the hostages, one hostage is released due to illness, leaving 52 remaining hostages. The crisis and political standoff will continue and see the passing of the former Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was be treated for his cancer in Cairo, Egypt, he dies on July 27, 1980. Time continues to pass and the crisis weighs heavy on all those involved; the hostage takers who did not anticipate the length of the undertaking they were still…
Many people remember certain things in their life for one reason or another, while writing about their life, one will most likely write about events in their life that they remember most vividly or events that changed their life in such a way. Persepolis, a memoir about a young Iranian girl, Marjane Satrapi, who grows up during the Islamic Revolution and goes through many experiences that shape her future and change her view on life. Although, there were many events that happen during that…
Eventually, the students agreed to let the hostages go on January 19, 1981 if Iran gained 8 billion dollars in its own frozen assets and the embargo was removed. They were not released until January 20, President Ronald Reagan's inauguration day. Some people believe that Iran waited to release the hostages as a punishment to Jimmy Carter for his support of the Shah, and others believe in the October Surprise Conspiracy Theory. An October Surprise is a political incident that is arranged before…
Nationalism is pride and devotion to one's country or culture. In 1929, political changes in Latin America were sparked after the Great Depression in America caused people to lose faith in their liberal government. in 1907, Reza Khan, a Persian officer and then future ruler, tried to modernize the country by turning to Western methods, as well as making Persia an independent state. In 1925, Jiang Jieshi tired to remove the Chinese communists and warlords from China. A form of political…
The entire novel of Persepolis consisted of graphic images that contained deeper meanings, which affected the way the readers depicted the content. There was also many themes that were discovered throughout the novel that wouldn’t have been noticed if it wasn’t for the pictures. The images helped determine the meanings behind what Marjane was trying to say to the readers because if the pictures were taken out and only left with words, the reader wouldn’t understand the story or what she was…
Marjane Satrapi was born on November 22, 1969, and she was born in Rasht, Iran. She is known as a graphic novelist, cartoonist, illustrator, film director, and children's book author. Throughout her childhood, Marjane Satrapi faces many challenges such as the Islamic Revolution. During the revolution, her parents would always take part in the demonstrations protest that called for the Rasht to be brought down. For example, Satrapi uncle was imprisoned and then executed by the Shahs regime. This…
“In paradise there will be plenty of food, women, and houses made of gold and diamonds.” (Satrapi, 100). Subjecting to Muslim culture means submitting to Allah and being pure in he’s eyes. Once proving purity, the rewards will result in the gifts that only Allah can provide in heaven; Food, gold, and the seventy-two virgins. These are all representations of stability, property, and good fortune and clarity. The novel uses the golden key as a pathway to the greater riches in Allah’s paradise.…
The Conformity of Women During the Islamic Revolution Prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian women possessed numerous freedoms. Although the country was of Muslim origin, it was quite westernized; women had suffrage, protection rights, education, and the ability to exceed in male dominated fields. Moreover, they had the right to express themselves freely by choosing how they represented their materialistic form. That was until the Islamic Regime decreed that women would no longer bare…