How Does Reza Shah Change In Persepolis

In the book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Marjane is impacted by Reza Shah stepping down from power, which causes her to be confused and unsure of how to behave in her changed environment. After Reza Shah steps down from power, schools in Iran close. When they reopen and Marjane returns to school, her class is ordered to tear out all the pictures of the Shah from their books. Satrapi is surprised by this, and talks to a classmate about how this same teacher had told them the Shah was chosen by God. Marjane’s classmate says, “ ‘Teacher! [Marjane] says that the Shah was chosen by God!!!’ ‘Satrapi! You shouldn’t say things like that. Stand in the corner!’ ” (44). Reza Shah stepping down from power led to Iranian schools being closed and the reworking of their curriculum.

Satrapi is noticeably confused by this, as her teacher completely switched her beliefs and Satrapi is now punished for doing something that was expected of her when the Shah was in power. Another example of Satrapi’s confusion after the Shah steps down from power comes only pages later in the book. Satrapi and her friends talk about one of their peers, Ramin, whose father was in the Shah’s secret police. Satrapi and her friends want to do the right thing, so they figure that in the name of justice, they should beat up Ramin with nails. Luckily, Marjane’s mother comes by before they get a chance to. Marjane’s mother asks Satrapi and her friends, “ ‘So kids, what are you up to?’ ‘Marji found some nails!!!’ ‘We are going to beat up Ramin!’ ‘His father has killed a million people!’ “ (45). Reza Shah stepping down from power forces Marjane to change her behavior.