Reading Lolita in Tehran as a critic to the changes in the education system during the revolution
“Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
Introduction
Although “Reading Lolita in Tehran” is classified as a memoir which by definition is “a special kind
of autobiography, usually involving a public portion of the author’s life as it relates to a person,
historic event, or thing. The text is about the personal knowledge and/or experiences of the
author” (Daye, n.d.), it is also a critic to the changes performed during the revolution in many
aspects of the Iranian society, it shows as
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Private and foreign schools were obliged to follow the department’s program too.
Secularization: Historically, Iranian society had strong religious sentiments. So, in Iranian
society, any attempt to change the traditional life style or removal of religious aspects
from public life was opposed by religious establishments. Similar to the nationalization
attempt, Reza Shah tried to incorporate new ideologies and notions over old customs and
traditions. While doing so he also introduced his personality cult.
Another measure to promote secularization, and also depower the clergy was the abolishment of
veiling. By this attempt shah was aiming to enlist woman into the education and labor market.
Westernization: The westernization of the education system was targeted for the higher levels of
education. It had two interrelated aspects. First expanding the modern education system
nationwide and the opening of modern schools. Second was the veneration of ‘west’ in those new
schools. The westernization of the education system included exporting scientific and technologic
developments of west which consequently brought western cultural values and social structures.
An example of this was the emancipation of women in academia and economic life. They had
been subjected to westernization similar to secularization. Shah managed to incorporate them
into the educational environment.
Many Iranian parents were furious about the education system during the Iranian Revolution, depicted by Maji’s parents having a conversation with the principal. The education system was one of the major changes after the Cultural Revolution hit Iran, during the Iran- Iraq war. Ayatollah comes onto TV to explain the changes that are going to occur and states, “The educational system and what is written in school book, at all levels, are decadent. Everything needs to be revised to ensure that our children are not led astray from the true path of Islam” (Satrapi 73). During the revolution and war, all education turned in favor of Islam. School kids had to mourn for the dead twice a day, beat their chests, put on funeral marches and have torture
women are not selfgoverned. This served to raise awareness for the benefit of women, and
These women worked on the Southern plantations all day without relief. They not only worked in the fields, but also in the house with their masters. Though people thought slavery was a sin, as Mrs. A did, women could not challenge slavery politically because there was a great lack of decorum in women getting involved with politics, thus African American women continued to work for free (Doc. C). Even though this was a setback, women in the workforce pushed forward and strived to become equal. As women continued to chase their equality in the workforce, they petitioned the Massachusetts legislature to try and equal themselves with men (Doc. I). Although women started off slow, working for low wages, they continued to challenge for their equality in the workforce.
An autobiography is coined as 'the history of a person 's life written or told by that person ' (Dictionarycom,2016). The author positions the reader to interpret his text as an autobiography and does so through the use of storytelling and vivid imagery, thus positioning the reader to reconsider or their beliefs towards aboriginals (Pryor, 2010). Pryor 's life started as a small boy from North-East Queensland, he then ventured into the career path as model which led to the
Women wanted to improve education in both university courses and at a school level. They wanted to open up career opportunities for girls that were once just meant for men, some examples of these were in sport and science. While this was happening other women were focussing on meeting women’s specific safety and health needs, this included greater access to contraception, abortion, and protection from domestic violence.
Though the veil forms an inconvenience in the lives of all Iranian women, it serves as a form of protection in their lives against the dangerous religious extremists fighting for the revolution. Marjane and her mother did not believe in the religious importance of wearing the veil but knew they had to wear them for their own protection against radical religious men that could try to take advantage of them. The president claimed that “women’s hair emanates rays that excite men” (74). Supported by this proposition, men could claim that a woman without a head scarf excited him and he would rape her because that is what she deserved for being a “little
During the time of shah there was much more freedom for woman, he did a lot to bring the status of the woman up. Traditionally men from Islam ic background “supposed to be the leader and woman were to look down at, and so they were not happy about that. Those were the guys that naturally wanted to get the Islam ic government in place.
During the Islamic Revolution in the Iranian country, education was essential to the people. Shah wanted the Western education because he believed that it was best for the Iranian people. Most of the women were involved in the demonstration of wearing the veil has some western education. The Islamic revolution wanted things to go back to the original Islamic culture. Based on the Complete Persepolis, in 1979, a revolution took place and later called “The Islamic Revolution”. This is the period they were forcing people to do what they don’t want to do. The women were also forced to wear the veil including the school girls. Being Educated will help to change a country, especially in undeveloped countries. When people are getting a quality education it will make life easier for them. Being educated is the most achievement anyone can make in their lifetime. The more education you have, the more knowledge you gain to solve a problem in any situation you have encountered. In Marjane’s life education makes her to have confidence and satisfaction in everything she has done. The people should encourage education, in our societies.
They separated the boys from the girls at school and made the girls wear veils. Not many understood the purpose of the government doing this, so for a while, everyone bantered the veils until it became a major aspect of the women’s attire in a short period of time. “We didn’t really like to wear the veils, especially since we didn’t understand why we had to.” (3). The veils didn’t serve any significant purpose except for the idea that the government no longer wanted women showing their body to anyone other that their family. As the veils became more of a big deal, the idea that is you didn’t wear a veil made you a slut to the average man began to play a greater role in Marji‘s society. The veils weren’t as significant as the many lives that were taken, and as many lies told to cover up the death of many people, most whom were innocent. As Marji listened listened and watched her surroundings, she realized that her government was wrong for all the cruel things that they made their citizens suffer through. “The BBC said there were 400 victims. The Shah said that a group of religious fanatics perpetrated the massacre. But the people knew that it was the Shah’s fault!!!” (15). The previous statement is a representation of Marji’s witness to the first incident that proved that their government had been corrupted. Although Marji was young, she understood that her government was wrong and felt the need to speak up against
The veil has always been a controversial issue for women in Iran. As time progressed and leaders changed, the requirements for wearing the veil changed as well. Prior to the Iranian revolution, Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was the ruler of Iran (Camara). The Shah’s main goal was to modernize Iran and make it similar to western countries. In this effort of modernization, he decided to eradicate the veil and made it illegal for women to wear it (Camara).
Women’s rights is apparent in the fight for suffrage in the late 1800’s-early 1900’s . It can
Basic biographical sketch, from life to death, including notable anecdotes, major life events as well as gaps or discrepancies in the historical record
America is the land of opportunity. It is a place of rebirth, hope, and freedom. However, it was not always like that for women. Many times in history women were oppressed, belittled, and deprived of the opportunity to learn and work in their desired profession. Instead, their life was confined to the home and family. While this was a noble role, many females felt that they were being restricted and therefore desired more independence. In America, women started to break the mold in 1848 and continued to push for social, political, educational, and career freedom. By the 1920s, women had experienced significant “liberation”, as they were then allowed to vote, hold public office, gain a higher education, obtain new jobs, drastically change
“The meaning and significance of the veil have been interpreted according to the social and political conditions in Iran across the history by the ruling systems in Iran. Veiling and unveiling have been used instrumentally by the governing elite to consolidate the foundations of its power. In the Pahlavi era, political and cultural tendencies to the West can be seen, which led to unveiling. After the 1979 revolution, on the contrary, the Islamic government’s political and cultural tendencies were against the West, particularly the U.S., and veiling became compulsory” (Shilandari, 2010). Iran’s history has should that the veil of women was also to show uniformity. This was meant to strip women of their identity and individuality. By definition, this was to made Iranian women appear more subservient, righteous and obedient to their husbands and to the Muslim world. To the Islamic republic, motherhood was to the best way for women to show their loyalty to the regime which was said to be their sacred duty. However, author Marjane Satrapi said this seemed more like a cultural revolution instead of one steep in religious roots. She asserts “it was 1980: the year it became obligatory to wear the veil at school. We didn’t really like to wear the veil, especially since we didn’t understand why we had to. They separated us from our friends. Everywhere in the streets people demonstrated for and against the veil” (Satrapi,
Secondly, a biography is a person’s life written from the perspective of another. It is typically written in third person, different from an autobiography which is written by that particular person on their own lives, written in the first person.