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Topic 3: « Religious Context: Shia Islam in Iran »

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Topic 3: « Religious Context: Shia Islam in Iran »

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Religious context: Shia Islam in Iran

Shia Islam is the dominant religion in Iran, which is deeply implemented in the culture and politics. It based on the belief in the 12th imam, Muhammad al mahdī al hujjad.

Shia Islam believe in the return of the 12th imam as the mahdi ( a future leader send by god)

The 1979 Iranian revolution was mainly influenced by the Shia Islam that  emphasize religion on leadership

Shia Islam heavily influence judges, policies, schools and tv show which follow Shia moral and ethical codes.

Shia Islam an emphasize resisting oppression and valuing martyrdom, as shown in the story of imam Hussein who was killed during the battle of Karbala.

The rise of Islamic fundamentalism

1979 Iranian revolution was marked

by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan which led to a significant rise of Islam fundamentalism

Iran was first ruled by shah Mohamed Reza pahlavi, he wanted to modernize Iran. By promoting secularism and he gave women rights. Many saw him as corrupt and too western

The people were angry and a Shia cleric exiled by shah ayatollah ruhollah khomeini stepped in. He preached a return to  Islamic values. The veil as a symbol of dignity and resistance. In 1979 the shah fled and Iran became an Islamic republic

Islam fundamentalism its when religion become political rules. That meant shiaria law as national law, and a strict control of women, media, and behavior, crunching opposition as « un-Islamic » in Persepolis marjane sees her uncle executed, her friend disappearing same for her freedom, under the black veil of religious dictatorship.

The book shows how fundamentalism steals joy, identity and youth. Marjane is about surviving not just war.

Marjane’s eyeliner become a weapon. Her denim jacket, her punk music and her voice resistance.

In resume Shia islam is not just a religion but a powerful force that shapes Iranian culture, politics and national identity. Providing a framework for understanding the country’s history, social structure and role in the world.

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"Understanding Persepolis: Marjane Satrapi’s Life & the 1979 Iranian Revolution"

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"Understanding Persepolis: Marjane Satrapi’s Life & the 1979 Iranian Revolution"

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1. Marjane Satrapi:

○ Key biographical information that contributes to the graphic memoir:

1. Born in 1969 in Rasht, Iran – Satrapi grew up in Tehran during a time of major political conflicts.

2. Upper-middle-class, educated family – Her parents were politically active and supported progressive ideas. Her family had connections to both royalty and political dissenters, offering her a broad perspective.

3. Witness to revolution and war – As a child, she experienced the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War firsthand.

4. Sent to Europe as a teen – To protect her, her parents sent her to Vienna at age 14. She struggled with identity, isolation, and cultural clash — themes that reappear in Persepolis.

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

1. Visual storytelling makes personal history accessible – By combining illustrations and text, Persepolis engages readers emotionally and intellectually.

2. Challenged Western stereotypes – It offered a nuanced view of Iranian life, especially from a female perspective, countering media portrayals of Iran as purely oppressive or backward.

3. Influence on future writers – Satrapi helped legitimize the graphic novel as a serious literary form, inspiring other memoirists (like Alison Bechdel with Fun Home) and elevating comics in literary and academic spaces.

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

○ Understanding the causes, major events, and outcomes of the revolution.

causes :

1. Westernization and modernization under the Shah – Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi tried to rapidly modernize Iran, often at the expense of traditional and religious values.

2. Authoritarian rule – The Shah used a brutal secret police force (SAVAK) to suppress dissent, leading to widespread resentment.

major events :

1. Protests and strikes – Began in late 1977 and grew throughout 1978, with millions participating in demonstrations.

2. Black Friday (September 1978) – Government forces killed protesters in Tehran, intensifying anger.

outcomes :

1. End of monarchy – The Shah’s rule ended after more than 2,500 years of Persian monarchy.

2. Establishment of Islamic Republic – A theocratic state was formed under Khomeini’s leadership; Islamic law (Sharia) became central.

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Topic 9: "The Meaning Behind Persepolis: History and Culture"

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Topic 9: "The Meaning Behind Persepolis: History and Culture"

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🔹 What is Persepolis? (The Place)

Ancient capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (founded by Darius I)

Located in present-day Iran, near Shiraz

Once symbolized power, architecture, and Persian cultural achievements

Destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site

🔹 Why Is the Book Titled Persepolis?

Represents Iran’s ancient, pre-Islamic heritage

Symbolizes a proud and advanced civilization before political upheaval

Reflects contrast between historical grandeur and modern repression

Highlights national identity rooted in more than just religion or politics

Title creates an emotional connection between the past and the present

🔹 How Does This Relate to the Memoir?

Memoir written by Marjane Satrapi, an Iranian girl growing up during and after the Islamic Revolution

Story reflects themes of identity, freedom, resistance, and memory

Shows how personal life is deeply shaped by national history

“Persepolis” connects Satrapi’s personal story to the deeper history of her homeland

The ancient city becomes a metaphor for what Iran was and what it could be again.

🏛 Persepolis: Historical and Cultural Significance

📌 Historical Importance & Connection to the Graphic Memoir

Persepolis = ancient Persian Empire's ceremonial capital.

Represents Iran’s ancient civilization and former glory.

Memoir title contrasts the powerful past with modern-day Iran.

Symbolizes what was lost during the Islamic Revolution.

Marjane Satrapi uses this to frame her story of identity and change.

📌 Cultural Identity Implications

Title evokes pride in pre-Islamic Persian culture.

Suggests a deep-rooted cultural identity beyond religion or politics.

Reflects tension between ancient heritage and current government.

Persepolis = symbol of Iranian strength, history, and complexity.

Reclaims Iranian identity through personal storytelling.

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Topic 8: Political Prisoners and Repression

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Topic 8: Political Prisoners and Repression

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Political Repression in Iran – Key Context

Under the Shah (before 1979):

The Shah (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi) ruled Iran as a monarchy with absolute power.

Political opposition was not tolerated anyone who criticized the regime could be arrested.

SAVAK, the Shah’s secret police, used torture, spying, and intimidation to silence dissidents.

Many intellectuals, communists, and activists were imprisoned or forced into exile.

After the Islamic Revolution (1979):

The Shah was overthrown and replaced by a religious government led by Ayatollah Khomeini.

Although many people had fought for freedom, the new Islamic regime became just as brutal, if not worse.

The government targeted anyone who disagreed with its strict Islamic rules especially leftists, secular people, and former revolutionaries.

Thousands were imprisoned, tortured, or executed, especially during the early years after the revolution.

Mass Arrests and Executions:

Prisons were filled with political prisoners, many of whom were young people and students.

Public executions were common, often used as a way to scare the population into obedience.

Families were not always told what happened to their loved ones. Many simply “disappeared.”

Marjane’s Personal Experience

Uncle Anoosh:

Marjane’s uncle was a political activist who fought for justice during the Shah’s rule.

He was imprisoned for 9 years by the Shah for being a communist.

After the revolution, he returned to Iran but was soon arrested again by the new Islamic regime.

He was executed as a political prisoner, even though he had hoped for a better future under the new government.

Marjane saw him as a hero and role model, his death was one of her earliest emotional shocks.

Family and Friends:

Many people close to Marjane were targeted by both regimes (the Shah and the Islamic Republic).

Some were killed in prison, tortured, or forced to escape the country.

Her parents were politically aware and attended protests and resisted oppression.

They tried to protect Marjane, but she was very observant and absorbed the reality around her.

Growing Up Under Repression:

Marjane grew up in a world full of fear, censorship, and control.

She had to hide her true thoughts and pretend to follow rules (like wearing the veil) to stay safe.

She saw the impact of repression on her family, friends, and herself, which shaped her identity and beliefs.

Her childhood was full of contradictions: hope vs. fear, pride vs. shame, tradition vs. rebellion.

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Topic 5: "Iranian Education System and Youth Culture"

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Topic 5: "Iranian Education System and Youth Culture"

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1. Education Under the Shah (Pre-1979)

Secular & Westernized: Schools followed modern curricula, with mixed-gender classes and minimal religious instruction.

Elitism: Privileged children (like Marjane) attended French-language schools, reflecting class divides.

2. Post-Revolution: Islamic Reforms

Indoctrination: Schools became tools for political/religious propaganda (e.g., portraits of Khomeini, martyrdom narratives).

Gender Segregation: Girls and boys were separated; girls forced to wear veils.

Censorship: Textbooks were rewritten to purge Western ideas; teachers fired for secular views.

3. Youth Culture & Rebellion

Forbidden Western Influences: Teens secretly traded black-market music (punk, metal), fashion (denim, sneakers), and contraband (makeup, posters).

Underground Parties: Risked punishment for private gatherings with dancing/alcohol.

Double Lives: Many (like Marjane) outwardly conformed but privately questioned authority.

4. War’s Impact on Youth

Militarization: Schoolchildren were fed war propaganda and given plastic "keys to heaven" (symbolizing martyrdom).

Trauma: Many teens lost family in the Iran-Iraq War (1980–88), forcing premature maturity

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1. The Context: Post-Iranian Revolution (1979):

Chaos and Isolation: The war began just a year after the Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Shah and established an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. This period was marked by internal upheaval, a weakened military, and international isolation (especially after the hostage crisis at the US embassy).

Saddam Hussein's Ambition: Iraq's dictator, Saddam Hussein, saw this as an opportunity. He wanted to assert Iraq's dominance in the Persian Gulf, gain control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway (a key border river), and annex Iran's oil-rich Khuzestan province. He also feared the Iranian Revolution's potential to inspire unrest among Iraq's own Shi'i (Shia) Muslim majority.

2. The Start of the War (September 1980):

Iraq launched a surprise invasion of Iran, expecting a quick victory due to Iran's post-revolutionary disarray.

However, despite initial Iraqi advances, Iranian forces, fueled by revolutionary zeal and a large volunteer base (including young boys, as Persepolis shows), quickly pushed the Iraqis back.

3. A Long, Brutal War of Attrition (1980-1988):

The war lasted nearly eight years, becoming the longest conventional war of the 20th century. It was characterized by:

Trench Warfare: Often compared to WWI due to its brutal trench warfare, human wave attacks, and extensive casualties.

War of the Cities: Both sides launched missile and air strikes against civilian populations in major cities, causing widespread terror and destruction. Tehran, where Marjane's family lives, was frequently targeted. This meant that even far from the front lines, everyday life was directly impacted by the war.

Chemical Weapons: Iraq extensively used chemical weapons (like mustard gas and nerve agents) against Iranian soldiers and, chillingly, even against its own Kurdish population. The international community largely remained silent or condemned vaguely.

Tanker War: Attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf by both sides, disrupting global oil supplies and drawing in international naval forces.

Human Cost: The war was incredibly costly in terms of human lives, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to over a million dead on both sides, and many more wounded or displaced. Iran suffered the greater number of casualties.

4. International Support (or Lack Thereof):

Iraq's Allies: Ironically, many Western and Arab countries, including the United States, tacitly supported Iraq. They feared the spread of Iran's Islamic Revolution and provided Iraq with financial aid, intelligence, and even weapons (including materials for chemical weapons).

Iran's Isolation: Iran was largely isolated, with only a few allies like Syria and Libya. This forced them to rely heavily on revolutionary fervor and sacrifice.

5. Impact on Iranian Society and Daily Life (Crucial for Persepolis):

Mobilization and Sacrifice: The war united many Iranians against a common enemy, fostering a strong sense of national and religious duty. The government heavily promoted martyrdom.

Hardship and Scarcity: Daily life was marked by air raids, blackouts, food rationing, economic hardship, and the constant threat of death. Persepolis vividly portrays these challenges.

Increased Repression: The war allowed the newly established Islamic Republic to consolidate its power and justify increasing social and political repression, cracking down on dissent and non-conformist behavior in the name of national unity and religious purity.

Child Soldiers: The devastating use of child soldiers by Iran (often called "Keys to Paradise" in propaganda, promising immediate entry to heaven for those who died) is a particularly tragic aspect that Persepolis touches upon.

Psychological Toll: The constant threat, loss of loved ones, and long duration of the war had a profound psychological impact on the population, leading to widespread trauma.

Shaping Identity: For Marjane and her generation, the war was a defining experience that shaped their childhood, adolescence, and understanding of their country and the world. It forced them to confront difficult moral choices and navigate a society under immense pressure.

6. End of the War (August 1988):

Exhausted and facing continued Iraqi offensives (often with chemical weapons), Iran finally accepted a UN-brokered ceasefire (UN Security Council Resolution 598). Khomeini famously called accepting the ceasefire "more deadly than poison," highlighting the deep reluctance.

The war ended in a stalemate, with no territorial gains for either side, but massive casualties and destruction.

Sources

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Topic 6: "Western Influence and Cultural Tensions"

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Topic 6: "Western Influence and Cultural Tensions"

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1. Pre-Revolution: Westernized Iran

The Shah’s regime (backed by the U.S./UK) enforced modernization and secularism, fueling resentment among traditional/religious Iranians.

2. 1979 Revolution: Rejection of the West

The Islamic Revolution overthrew the Shah, banning Western culture (music, fashion) as "corrupting."

3. Marjane’s Struggle

She grows up in a progressive, Westernized family but faces repression under the new regime (mandatory hijab, censorship).

Loves forbidden Western pop culture (e.g., Kim Wilde), symbolizing her clash with authoritarian rules.

4. Iran-Iraq War & Western Hypocrisy

The West supported Iraq, deepening Iran’s anti-Western stance.

5. Satrapi’s Balanced Critique

Criticizes both the oppressive regime and Western stereotypes about Iran.

Highlights Marjane’s cultural alienation in Europe, where she’s seen as an "exotic other."