Persepolis - A History of a Nation Torn

Persepolis is a graphic novel-memoir based on the life and experiences of Marjane Satrapi during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Within the book itself, Satrapi provides the reader with the historical background of Iran, which is rich with culture. Iran, as it is known today, first became the home to Indo-Europeans invaders, who were semi-nomads and settled in the area. By around the seventh century B.C., the Medes society established the first civilization of Iran, which was later destroyed by Cyrus the Great. Once Cyrus the Great reigned over the country, he instituted the Persian Empire in the sixth century B.C, which was single handedly one of the most powerful civilizations of that era. The Persian Empire was subjected to many attacks from its neighbors due to the society’s wealth and its perfect geographic location. Iran was smack in the middle of the middle east, with Europe, Asia and Africa at its sides. Those who invaded the Persian Empire include Alexander the Great, the Turks, Mongols, and most recently, the western world.

Fast forward to the early twentieth century; the west, particularly the British, discover that there is an ocean of oil under the feet of Iranians. In 1925, the Qajar Dynasty is overthrown by Reza Pahlavi (Reza Shah) who was appointed by the British. Marjane Satrapi is directly affected by this occurrence, because her grandfather was the last prince of the Qajar Dynasty. Her grandfather later became a communist and was often thrown into prison for his beliefs, leaving her grandmother and their family to live in poverty. By 1935, Reza Shah changed the name of the nation from Persia to Iran. During World War II, Iran stayed a neutral country and Reza Shah refused to ally himself with any side, and as a result the Allies invaded Iran. In 1942 Reza Shah was put into exile and was then succeeded by his son, who came known to be as the “Shah”.

In the start of the Cold War Era, the Prime Minister of Iran, Mohammad Mossedeq nationalized the oil industry in 1951. This infuriated the British, who, in response created an embargo against Iran. Two years later, British Intelligence and the CIA compiled a coup against Prime Minister Mossadeq, putting the power back into the Shah’s hands and benefitting the British. By 1963, the Shah thrust Iran into a new era of modernization, which was referred to as the White Revolution. Many people opposed this new modernization and to the overall reign of the Shah. While still under the Shah’s reign, Iran had a border dispute with Iraq in the mid-seventies because of a harbor and area which was one of the centers of foreign trade, especially oil. In 1974, Iran began supplying weapons to Kurds in Iraq so that they may rebel against the Iraqi government. However, a year later they made a compromise with Iraq and stopped providing weapons. Throughout all of this, the people of Iran were still upset under the Shah’s reign and as a result of the numerous protests and demonstrations the country was put into Martial Law in 1978. One of the most tragic events that year was Black Friday, when the proletariat and the higher class alike protested and were killed. This occurrence upset many and it helped trigger the Islamic Revolution.

The Islamic Revolution was led by Ayatollah Khomeini, and Islamic Fundamentalist who was sent into exile in 1965 for opposing the Shah’s rule. Due to all of the pressure of the protests and demonstrations, the Shah fled Iran instructing the people to follow under Khomeini. By April of that year, Iran was proclaimed an Islamic Republic. By 1980, the full effects of the Islamic Revolution took place. Women were forced to wear the veil, schools were separated by sex, freedoms were repressed, and everyone had to abide by Islamic Law. That same year, Iraq invaded Iran and thus the Iran-Iraq War began. The word brought upon numerous ramifications to Iran. Bombs destroyed houses, streets, killed people, and worst of all young naïve Iranian boys were sent off to battle with “golden keys to paradise”. It is said that when they die, men will be rewarded with seventy-two virgins. Eight years after the war began, a cease fire was declared between Iran and Iraq, and by 1990 both nations restored their diplomatic relations. Marjane was able to leave Iran in the midst of the war, however everything that led up to her departure effected her perceptions of herself, family and of the country which she loved so dearly.