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Devin Berry

Cultural Themes

Prakasam

December 1, 2010

Looking Towards Western Culture

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

of its culture, which have left lasting results.

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.
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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

unacceptable. “Khomeini used the Revolutionary Guard to execute or assassinate over

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,

or deviant was punishable.

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

not allowed to serve in certain positions such as a judge or on a jury.

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

Constitutionalists, Westernization would be achieved by mimicking and importing

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
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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

can still be seen in Iranian society today.

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

represent the westernization of Iran.