The graphic novel Persepolis delves into the transformation of women during the revolution, shedding light on how their lives were profoundly impacted. Among all groups, women were the most affected and underwent drastic changes. The revolution brought about stark differences in women’s lives in terms of attire, education, and marriage. Prior to the revolution, the Shah had initiated a process of Westernizing Islamic society, which influenced clothing, music, and social dynamics. Women had the freedom to expose their skin and wear whatever attire they desired. However, following the revolution, the government sought to eliminate Western influences from Islam, resulting in restrictions on clothing choices, music preferences, and any Western-associated activities. Consequently, women were no longer permitted to reveal as much skin or wear what they previously could pre-revolution.
The government implemented laws and regulations regarding attire for both women and men, which were enforced. The main change observed after the revolution was in women’s clothing. Previously, women had the freedom to wear whatever they wanted. However, several restrictions were imposed afterwards. Women had to cover their hair, avoid loose clothing, and keep their legs covered. These changes also affected education. Before the revolution, Marji and many other Iranian children attended secular coeducational bilingual schools. Afterward, schools became more religious and started segregating boys and girls. As a result, the number of women pursuing higher education significantly decreased due to lack of encouragement from the government. Nevertheless, there has been a recent increase in female students at Tehran University- reaching 61%.
During the revolution, the age of marriage for women in the university significantly decreased from 18 to 8 and 10, but it has recently increased to 13 and 15. Women are also expected to maintain chastity until marriage, with severe consequences if they fail to do so. A research paper explores similarities between Islamic beliefs and modern-day rape culture, both rooted in the notion of male superiority over women. These topics have gained attention in recent years, particularly within the context of the feminist movement in the United States. Both subjects involve debates on women’s clothing, treatment, and their societal status compared to men.
Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel and memoir, Persepolis, prominently addresses the issues related to the stereotypical portrayal of Islamic culture and its women’s attire. The Islamic government imposes certain standards that outline what women should cover, as well as what they can wear and how they should dress. These regulations primarily focus on the hijab, which covers the hair, loose clothing, and minimal skin exposure. The purpose of these guidelines is to promote modesty and prevent attracting unnecessary attention, such as admiration, flattery, envy, and particularly sexual attraction from anyone other than a woman’s husband. Maintaining boundaries in sexual thoughts, feelings, and interactions is highly emphasized within Islamic culture.
The text underscores the idea that certain acts like rape, sexual harassment, or inappropriate behavior and comments can lead to blaming women for any negative outcomes. In this society, men often escape accountability for their actions by attributing them to women’s provocation. These regulations concerning women’s attire seek to uphold the significance attached to their dressing and are widely perceived as customary within Islamic principles. This contrasts with nations like the United States where people are accustomed to a greater level of freedom. The societal significance of these rules gives rise to stereotypes about Islamic women and their clothing; however, it is vital to recognize that clothing stereotypes impact more than just Islamic women.
Other developed countries also experience similar issues, particularly concerning rape victims. The United States is no exception, as sexual assaults occur every 2 minutes, with females accounting for 90% of the victims. Female survivors of rape often face scrutiny regarding their clothing and behavior. For instance, at the California Institute of Arts, Regina, a rape victim, was interrogated by school administrators about her drinking habits, partying frequency, dress length, potential oral rape occurrence during the assault, climax experience during the incident, and whether climaxing had been an issue in prior encounters with the accused rapist (Claire Gordon). This focus on the victim’s attire choices and actions mirrors society’s stereotype of what a typical survivor should be like – someone who wears revealing outfits and behaves provocatively while inadvertently encouraging their attackers.
The focus on this issue rather than Regina and the rapist’s history of abuse signifies a society that blames women for rape, rather than holding the perpetrator accountable— as seen in the portrayal of the rapee stereotype. This aligns with the Islamic views on women explored in Persepolis. The blame placed on women is evident in Persepolis when Marji’s mother experiences harassment from two men due to her choice not to wear a veil. “They insulted me. They said that women like me should be pushed up against a wall and engaged in sexual acts, and then discarded like garbage” (Satrapi 74). This highlights the significance of attire in this culture and how women are viewed as inferior and discriminated against. Satrapi conveys these experiences and thoughts through a powerful graphic image, depicting Marjane’s mother in distress with tears streaming down her face and slumped over her husband.
Marjane’s mother experienced a period of confinement to bed and deep sadness after this incident, highlighting the significance and profound impact of prejudice against women. In Islamic culture, it is crucial for women to maintain purity until marriage. Engaging in premarital sex not only faces societal disapproval but also potential punishment. Marjane’s mother describes how, in Persepolis, “You know it’s against the law to kill a virgin, so a guardian of the revolution marries her and takes her virginity before executing her.” This action can be considered rape since the women involved do not give consent for marriage or sexual intercourse. These actions occurring within society demonstrate that women have lower status compared to men. This viewpoint is evident in various aspects of Islamic culture such as marriage and court proceedings where female testimonies carry half the weight of male testimonies, often allowing male perpetrators of serious crimes like rape to go unpunished.
In Islamic culture, women are viewed as hormonal and prone to poor judgment, leading to a greater reliance on men. This perception impacts the dynamics of marriage, where women cannot initiate divorce unless it is explicitly agreed upon before marriage. In contrast, men can have multiple wives while women are limited to one husband. As a result, women in Islam face significant disparities in their rights and treatment compared to men.
Similarly, although to a lesser extent, women in the United States also encounter societal inequalities. The Feminism Movement strives to address these issues and improve the situation for women. One notable example is that American women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts despite comprising over half of the workforce.
These instances illustrate how both Islamic society and modern society perpetuate male dominance and oppress women, depriving them of their rightful freedom. Additionally, there are similarities between Islamic beliefs regarding women and the prevalent rape culture present in today’s society.
The belief in male superiority contributes to both issues mentioned, namely unfair judgment and treatment of women based on their appearance and behavior. Islamic culture imposes strict guidelines on various aspects of women’s lives, including clothing, activities, music preferences, and even sexual conduct. Although these rules do not apply to American society, gender disparities persist. Rape remains a prevalent problem in today’s world, with both American and Islamic governments and societies often placing more blame on the woman than the man in such cases. MarjaneSatrapi’sPersepolis powerfully portrays these inequalities and challenges through its female characters and Marjane’s personal experiences during the Iranian revolution.
