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Persepolis Assignment

  • Marjane (Marji) is born in Rasht, Iran

    Marjane (Marji) is born in Rasht, Iran

    She grew up in the city of Tehran, and studied at Lycée Français with hopes of becoming a prophet.
  • Marji's maid, Mehri, falls in love

    Marji's maid, Mehri, falls in love

    Mehri gets into a relationship with the neighbor's son and they exchange love letters. After the son finds out she's a maid, he ends their relationship due to their differences in social classes.
  • The Islamic Revolution takes place

    The Islamic Revolution takes place

  • Mehri and Marji demonstrate on Black Friday

    Mehri and Marji demonstrate on Black Friday

    In a nearby neighborhood, demonstrators supposedly were killed by Israeli soldiers. More and more massacres occurred, and eventually the Shah's reign came to an end.
  • Veils became obligatory to wear at school

    Veils became obligatory to wear at school

    Bilingual schools were closed down because they were "symbols of capitalism," causing boys and girls to be separated, and girls to wear veils.
  • The Rex Cinema burned down

    The Rex Cinema burned down

    The doors of the cinema were locked from the outside and set on fire while the police stood outside prohibiting anyone from rescuing people inside. As a result, around 400 people died, and the people knew that the Shah was responsible.
  • The start of the Iran-Iraq War

    The start of the Iran-Iraq War

    Iraq bombs Iran, initiating the start of a long and deadly war.
  • Tehran became a major target for Scud missiles

    Tehran became a major target for Scud missiles

    Many residents flee the city after being under attack. Marji's family stayed because they didn't want to leave their home and they wanted Marji to pursue her education in Tehran.
  • Marji's parents host a forbidden party

    Marji's parents host a forbidden party

    The family throws a party to have fun despite the war and strict government, and they gathers things like records, playing cards, and wine to celebrate their small moment of freedom. Suddenly, the power goes out and as they drove home, the police stops Marji's dad for possible possession of alcohol, and Marji and her grandmother flush the wine down the toilet to save her dad.
  • Marji gets stopped by the guardians of the revolution

    Marji gets stopped by the guardians of the revolution

    Marji discovers punk rock, sneakers, western music, and other banned cultural items, symbolizing her rebellion under Iran's regime. She gets stopped by the guardians of the revolution for being improperly veiled and interrogated for her choice of clothing.
  • Marji gets sent to Vienna

    Marji gets sent to Vienna

    After the many bombings and instances at school where she would get in trouble for challenging the teachers' beliefs, Marjane's parents believed she was better off getting an education somewhere safer.
  • Persepolis Summary

    Marjane was just 6 years old when she decided that she wanted to be a prophet until came the Islamic Revolution. After losing relatives to political imprisonment, witnessing catrastrophes during the Iran-Iraq war, and being forced to follow the regime’s rules, Marji fought against the system in many ways. She listened to banned music, wore Western clothing, and challenged propaganda at school, leading to her expulsion. Marji's parents sends her to Vienna for her safety and a better future.