The movie Persepolis was made in 2007 and one of the main themes of Persepolis is how the main character’s perspective about her country changed when her country began to change around her. After the Islamic Revolution, the main character Marji began to question the ideals of Iran. She begins to rebel and realize what she values most in life. As much as Marji tries to adjust to this new way of life, she ultimately creates a life for herself outside of Iran.
Before the Islamic Revolution, women were able to go to college even encouraged to do so. The Revolution changed that so drastically that the government started to receive backlash that they had to allow them to return (BBC). All women were forced to wear hijabs no matter their religion or nationality which also received major backlash resulting in a protest on March 8th, International Women’s Day (BBC). The perspective on women changed so drastically in such short period of time due to the Revolution that women were basically forced to stay in their homes and not participate in society.
Not only did people’s opinions on what women should be able to do change, but that forced a lot of women like Marji to change their perspective on their country. Women began to advocate for increased rights in the 19th century (Wilson Center). Educated women who were involved in the women’s rights movement started to set up schools in order to get more girls in higher education and for them to be able to make their own mark on society (Wilson Center).
My question to you in regard to this sudden change on the identity of a women is, have you ever experienced something that completely changed your perspective on something? How did it change your life if at all? Was it drastic or something minor?
Bibliography:
“Iranian Women – before and after the Islamic Revolution.” BBC News, BBC, 8 Feb. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47032829.
“Reconstructed Lives: Women and Iran’s Islamic Revolution.” Wilson Center, Oct. 1997, www.wilsoncenter.org/article/reconstructed-lives-women-and-irans-islamic-revolution.