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4. Women's Rights and Gender Roles in Iran (Elise)

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4. Women's Rights and Gender Roles in Iran (Elise)

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Before the Revolution (Pre 1979)

Under the Pahlavi dynasty, women gained significant rights

Women were granted the right to vote in 1963

Increased opportunities for women in education; many began attending universities

Women entered various professions and became more visible in public life

After the Revolution (Post 1979)

The new regime imposed strict interpretations of Islamic law

Mandatory wearing of hijab in public spaces

Laws restricted women's rights regarding divorce, inheritance, and custody

Women's participation in politics and public life significantly diminished

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Born and raised in Iran, and attended a French school

Her maternal great grandfather was the Persian emperor

She was exposed to brutalities

Satrapi's parents encouraged her to be brave but cared about her safety.

They arranged for her to study abroad in Vienna, Austria.

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The war began on September 22, 1980, when Iraq invaded western Iran along the joint border they share. However, Iraq claims that the war started a few weeks before on September 4, when Iran bombed a few border posts.

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4. Women's Rights and Gender Roles in Iran (Elise)

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4. Women's Rights and Gender Roles in Iran (Elise)

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Symbolism and Significance of the Veil (Hijab)

Compulsory Hijab Laws:

State Control: The hijab is enforced as a symbol of state-imposed morality.

Legal Enforcement: Non-compliance can lead to fines or imprisonment.

Resistance and Reclamation:

Personal Choice Movement: Some women reclaim the hijab as a symbol of personal autonomy.

Public Defiance: Protests have included women removing their hijabs as acts of resistance.

"Women, Life, Freedom": This slogan reflects the connection between women's rights and broader human rights issues in Iran.

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Group 3, "The rise of Islamic fundamentalism during and after the revolution."

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Group 3, "The rise of Islamic fundamentalism during and after the revolution."

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During the revolution:

During the Islamic revolution, many ideology, political views, and social movement was represented to the mass audience.

The Islamic religion was especially highlighted in the revolution that spread to the mass global audience.

"the Iranian Revolution was Khomeini's doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), which argued that religious leaders should hold political power."

"the ideology not only legitimized the revolution but also provided a framework for governance that rejected secularism and Western influence. "

After the revolution:

the global influence was still vastly influential to the global mass.

"Over time, this created a political environment where opposition was stifled, leading to internal conflicts among various factions within the ruling elite."

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4. Women's Rights and Gender Roles in Iran:

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4. Women's Rights and Gender Roles in Iran:

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Before the revolution:

Women experienced a mix of modern and traditional restrictions

Under the Pahlavi monarchy, women's rights were promoted.

Women were given the right to education and voting

Societal norms still imposed limitations on the freedoms of women

After the revolution:

Mandated women to wear veils

Laws were created favoring male guardianship and limiting females autonomy in marriages and divorce

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2. The Islamic Revolution in Iran (1978-1979):

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2. The Islamic Revolution in Iran (1978-1979):

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Cause: The cause of the Islamic Revolution in Iran is caused by many factors such as political, economic, and social factors. Some of the key causes of the revolution were:

The Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi ruled Iran with limited political freedoms and suppressed anyone who would oppose him, many people felt he was too close to the Western countries

Although Iran is rich as a country from the oil it produces many people are still poor and struggling, which makes Iranians believe the wealth was not shared fairly this leads to high inflation and unemployment creating anger among the people

Pahlavi tried to modernize Iran through his White Revolution, which included reforms land redistribution, and women’s rights but many Iranians didn’t agree with this since it didn’t go with their beliefs and their values.

Overall the major cause of the Islamic Revolution was that the government wasn’t able to satisfy the expectations of the Iranian people, which created hatred toward the Shah.

Major events (timeline):

1977-1978: Protest against the Shah(Mohammed Reza Pahlavi) started in October 1977 and it grew throughout 1978

September 8, 1978: The military fired on protesters in Tehran, killing multiple people

January 16, 1979: After months of protests and strikes in the country, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi left Iran for exile in January 1979

February 1, 1979: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile and multiple supporters welcomed him, becoming the leader of the revolution

February 11, 1979: The monarchy officially ended when military forces announced they would not support the Shah, which then the revolutionary group took control of Tehran

April 1, 1979: Khomeini became the Supreme Leader under a new government based on Islamic law, most Iranians wanted an Islamic republic

Outcomes of the Revolution:

Change of government, the monarchy was replaced by the Islamic Republic governed by religious leaders under Khomeini’s authority.

Iran’s relationship with other countries changed dramatically, especially the United States this is because the government was anti-Western and viewed them as harmful

The new regime enforced strict laws based on Islamic teachings, which affected women’s rights and cultural practices

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Group 5, Iranian Education System and Youth Culture

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Group 5, Iranian Education System and Youth Culture

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The structure and ideology of education in Iran before and after the revolution.

Before:

The education system was heavily influenced by Western culture, particularly Europe

The curriculum was secular, with focus on subjects like science, mathematics, and the arts

Boys and girls attended the same schools

Western values and technologies were promoted by the government in schools to modernize Iran

After:

Education systems went through significant transformation to align with islamic principles

The core component of the curriculum became religion studies

Schools were segregated by gender

The education system was made to purposely promote islamic values and views

Students were exposed to political indoctrinations that are in support of the Islamic Republic

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Group 5, Iranian Education System and Youth Culture

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Group 5, Iranian Education System and Youth Culture

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The challenges and opportunities faced by young people like Marjane.

Challenges:

With war and conflict, it creates a dangerous environment for children, fear, uncertainty, and loss of loved ones was experienced

The freedom of young people was limited due to the strict social and religious rules under the Islamic Republic

The experience of war and conflict forced the young to mature quickly and confront difficulties at a young age

Opportunities:

Some families with Marjane’s being one of them prioritized education and encouraged intellectual curiosity, this allowed her to have a sense of purpose and hope

Experiencing the difficulty of living in this regime allows one to develop a strong sense of self and critical perspective on the world

Experiences and values not like the one being forced upon could be a commonality Marjane and others could use to connect with others

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6. Western Influence and Cultural Tensions

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6. Western Influence and Cultural Tensions

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Early 1970s

1. Political Climate:

The Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, ruled with an authoritarian regime, facing growing opposition from leftists, nationalists, and Islamists.

2. Economic Growth:

An oil boom led to infrastructure development but resulted in wealth disparities, causing social tensions, especially in rural areas.

3. Cultural Changes:

Western culture influenced urban youth, leading to a clash with conservative values. The Shah's policies promoted secular education and women’s rights.

4. Religious Opposition:

Ayatollah Khomeini emerged as a key figure, mobilizing against Westernization and the Shah's policies.

Late 1980s

1. Post-Revolution Landscape:

The 1979 Iranian Revolution established an Islamic Republic under Khomeini, focusing on Islamic governance and reducing Western influence.

2. Cultural Repression:

Strict enforcement of Islamic laws led to censorship and persecution of artists, with an emphasis on Islamic education.

3. Economic Challenges:

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) strained resources, complicating economic recovery efforts.

4. Resistance and Adaptation:

Despite repression, underground movements emerged, blending Western influences with Islamic values.

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The rise of Islamic fundamentalism during and after the revolution. 

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The rise of Islamic fundamentalism during and after the revolution. 

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During the revolution:

Religious leaders rise: His ideology advocated for the return of the Islamic government.

Anti-western: Rejecting any Western values and restoring Islamic values.

After the revolution:

Exporting the revolution: Spread revolutionary ideals.

Political Islamic ideology: Religious ideologies started to shape political discourse. Thus, creating a shift in the government and more conflict arose.

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Historical Context: Persepolis is set against the backdrop of the Islamic Revolution in Iran (1979) and the subsequent establishment of a theocratic regime. The new government sought to eliminate dissent, leading to the imprisonment, torture, and execution of many political dissidents.

Repression Tactics: The regime targeted intellectuals, writers, and activists, viewing them as threats to their authority. Many were arrested on vague charges, subjected to harsh interrogations, and denied fair trials. Reports of torture and inhumane treatment were common.

Impact on Society: This repression instilled fear in the population, leading to self-censorship and a chilling effect on free expression. The government used propaganda to maintain control and suppress opposition.

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9.  Historical importance and how it connects to the graphic memoir

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9.  Historical importance and how it connects to the graphic memoir

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Persepolis uses graphics to illustrate the Iranian Revolution and blending with childhood experiences in Iran.

The memoir focuses on Iran in the late 1970s and early 1980s, highlighting the 1979 overthrow of the Shah and the rise of an Islamic government, showing how these events affected ordinary Iranians’ lives and divided opinions.

The title "Persepolis" symbolizes the historical richness of Persia and parallels the helplessness experienced by Iranians during governmental upheaval.

This autistic style emphasizes emotional depth and makes the content accessible to a global audience, contributing to the discussion on cultural identity.

Satrapi's work transcends traditional storytelling by providing a personal perspective on broader historical events, exploring themes of identity, cultural conflict, and resilience.

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The beliefs and practices of Shia Islam and its significance in Iranian culture and politics.

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The beliefs and practices of Shia Islam and its significance in Iranian culture and politics.

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Core Beliefs:

Imamate: leaders are considered impeccable and perfect

Authority of Religious Leaders: Its religious leaders have significant authority and important roles (different hierarchy).

Practices:

Prayer and worship

Religious education

Visiting shrines to show devotion

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Persepolis is an ancient city in Iran, and its name means "City of the Persians." It was built around 518 BCE by King Darius I and served as a special place for important ceremonies and events in the Persian Empire. The city featured big, beautiful buildings, including the Apadana Palace, where kings held celebrations. There were also amazing carvings on the walls that depicted people from different parts of the empire.

In 330 BCE, a famous leader named Alexander the Great destroyed most of Persepolis. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, meaning it is protected because it is very important to history. Many people visit Persepolis to learn about ancient Persia. In short, Persepolis was a grand city that showcased the power and culture of the ancient Persian civilization.

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Western Influence in Iran:

The western culture has been inspired Iranian life of many different product. Such as products, media and ideas. This cause the government to have limited of stoping iranian with western influence. This ruin the cultural landscape which the western had mix with iran music, fashion, and technology. Most Iranian people are inspired by western achievement in science and art.

Tensions between Iran traditional values and western influence:

The conflict between traditional Iranian values and Western ideals shows up in areas like family, gender roles, and personal freedom. In Iranian culture, there's a strong focus on family honor, respecting elders, and following religious practices. These values can clash with Western ideas that emphasize individualism and personal freedom.

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Marjane Satrapi was born on November 22, 1969, in Rasht, Iran.

She grew up during the Islamic Revolution, which changed Iran a lot.

Her parents were politically active, her dad was a communist and her mom was progressive. This influenced her views on politics and society.

At 14, Marjane was sent to Vienna, Austria, to escape the political situation in Iran. This made her feel like an outsider.

After living in Europe, she returned to Iran and faced the challenges of living under strict rules, especially for women.

She studied art and used her skills to tell her story in a graphic format, combining images with words.

Her memoir, Persepolis, explores themes like identity, resilience, and the effects of war and oppression.

Marjane addresses the struggles of women in Iran and her own journey of finding her identity.

She uses humor and serious moments to critique both Iranian and Western cultures, showing the complexities of her experiences.

The importance of this literary form and its impact on future writers.

Cultural Awareness

The memoir has increased understanding of Iranian culture and history, challenging stereotypes.

Representation of Women

It highlights the struggles and resilience of women in a patriarchal society, inspiring discussions about feminism.

Education

It is often used in schools and universities to teach about the Iranian Revolution, identity, and the immigrant experience.

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2. The Islamic Revolution in Iran (1978-1979):

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2. The Islamic Revolution in Iran (1978-1979):

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The Islamic revolution in Iran was caused by a variety of factors which drove the overthrow of the monarchy of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to Islamic Republic led by Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini. The factors fall under categorized factors: political, social, economic.

Political causes

authoritarian regime: the Shah's regime had no room for political oppositions, other parties were banned or marginalized, leading to fustration among a range of political groups, like leftists and nationalists

Repression and human rights violations: Shah's government established harsh tactics to suppress dissent like censorship, surveillance and torture. this fueled resentment among the population.

Social Causes

Western and secularization: Shah's policies aimed at modernizing Iran often went against the traditional islamic values. Iranians perceived those policies as a type of cultural imperialism that threatened their identity.

Rise of religious sentiment: Ayatollah Khomeini emerged as unifying figure for opposition groups, specifically among religious conservatives

Economic Causes

economic disparities: though there has bee a decade of economic growth due to oil revenue, the wealth was unevenly distributed. urbanization and inflation worsened social tensions which led to a bigger gap between the rich and poor.

economic mismanagement: the Shah's ambitious modernation projects led to economic shortages, a sharp economic decline in 1977-1978 caused public discontent as living standards went down

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9. What the word might imply regarding the cultural identity of Iranians

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9. What the word might imply regarding the cultural identity of Iranians

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Tradition vs. Modernity: Suggests a struggle between preserving cultural heritage and embracing change.

Identity - In Persepolis, Satrapi shows that identity is fluid and changes over time. Inspired by Stuart Hall's ideas, she illustrates how Iranians balance traditional values with modern influences in today’s world.

Collective Memory: Emphasizes the importance of shared history in shaping cultural identity.

Diversity: Indicates the variety of perspectives and experiences within Iranian culture.