Persepolis

Content Warning: The source material and study guide contain discussion of sexual assault, political repression, torture, and wartime violence, including civilian death.

The author, Marjane Satrapi, begins with a summary of Iranian history. The name “Iran” came from “Aryan Vaejo,” or origin of the Aryans, a group of semi-nomadic people that Indo-European invaders encountered on the land. The Persian language and culture that emerged over centuries were often prone to outside attack yet remained strong and united. In fact, invaders often assimilated to the Persian language, culture, and history.

In the 20th century, oil was discovered in Iran, leading to the country’s enormous newfound wealth. Reza Shah, founder of a newly established dynasty, planned to modernize Iran around this same time. However, with oil and modernization came British rule and influence. When WWII began, Reza Shah declared Iran would remain a neutral country, eventually resulting in Allied occupation. The son of the now exiled Reza Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (also known as “the shah”), came to power. In the 1950s, the Iranian prime minister was ousted with the help of the US CIA and British Intelligence, allowing the shah to take back his power until 1979 when the Islamic Revolution occurred.