Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Devin Berry
Cultural Themes
Prakasam
December 1, 2010
The Islamic Revolution, also known as the Iranian Revolution or the Revolution
of 1979, lead by Ayatollah Khomeini, brought about numerous changes to the nation of
Iran. Prior to the revolution, Iran was a monarchy, but Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
was overthrown and it was replaced with an Islamic Republic. While the Revolution did
bring about many positive changes like health care for the poor, many of the other
changes were deemed to be a negative thing by the Iranians. Throughout this time the
cultures of other countries were of great interest to the younger generations. During and
following the Islamic revolution there were many radical changes in Iran, in most aspect
The Islamic republic that was introduced into Iranian life in 1979 brought about
new programs that previously did not exist in Iran. Education was broadened, literacy
rates increased, and infant mortality dropped. However, at this time other programs were
started that not all Iranians agreed with. The government began to promote Islam;
secularism was eliminated, as were all American influences. A large emphasis was placed
on religious devotion and it caused the older and younger generations to disagree greatly.
Berry 2
Other mandates of the new government were not as beneficial to many people.
Those not belonging or not practicing Islam were not recognized in society. They were
not protected and did not have civil right. Deviations from the new laws were
11,000 dissenters; to deny women basic social, political and economic rights; to condemn
homosexuals to death and to impose cultural restrictions on dress, music, dancing and
drinking, Parsa said” (Dooley). Anything deemed against Islam, too western, American,
Women in particular suffered under the new government. They strict Islamic
ideals enforced an equally strict dress code for women. They were forced to wear veils or
chadors, something they previously were not required to wear. The veil would serve as
protection from the male population that would be attracted by the sight of female hair.
“They insulted me. They said that women like me should be pushed up against a wall and
fucked and then thrown in the garbage. …And that if I didn’t want that to happen I
should wear the veil” (Satrapi 74). Females were banned from certain schools and were
Westerners were supporting the Shah and therefore the new authorities were
completely against western influence in the new Iran. “In sum, Reza Shah’s greatest wish
was to make Iran a modern society through Westernization. For him, as for most of the
modern institutions” (Fazeli 47). They were especially against American influence. They
wrote laws and came up with punishments for those in possession of thing that deviated
Berry 3
from the strict Islamic ideals. American music, videos, art and the like were banned from
the country. This only encouraged people to seek these out evermore.
The strict laws that were institute during the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979
were created in part to prevent the westernization of Iran. The youth of Iran and the
members of groups that still supported the Shah were fans of what westernization brought
to the country. Despite the laws, or possibly in spite of the laws, they found ways to get
American music, clothing, art, food, and other things that represented the western culture
they looked to for guidance. Many changes came as a result on the revolution and they
I thought this was an interesting topic because it seems that no matter where in the
world you go, aside from truly remote villages there appears to be western aspects,
whether it be dress, music or the ever present McDonalds. My poster uses scenes from
Satrapi’s novel as well as Arabic phrases that pertain to the topic and other pictures that