Persian Girls

1. Nahid's journey from Iran to America: A tale of cultural duality

"I had gone against many Iranian traditions, and was even now an American citizen, but I didn't feel like an American. I had an accent. I didn't look American. There was a lot I didn't understand about the culture. I had finally found freedom in America, but there was a hole inside me, a lack. I didn't feel either Iranian or American."

Cultural displacement. Nahid's journey from Iran to America is a testament to the challenges of navigating two distinct cultures. As a young girl in Iran, she struggles against traditional expectations and longs for the freedom she associates with the West. Upon arriving in America, however, she finds herself caught between two worlds, never fully belonging to either.

Pursuit of education and independence. Nahid's determination to pursue higher education in America becomes her ticket to freedom. She overcomes numerous obstacles, including financial hardships and cultural barriers, to establish herself as a writer in a foreign land. This pursuit of education and independence serves as a powerful theme throughout the narrative, highlighting the transformative power of knowledge and self-reliance.

Ongoing identity struggle. Even as Nahid builds a life in America, marries, and starts a family, she continues to grapple with her sense of identity. This ongoing struggle is reflected in her writing, which often focuses on themes of displacement, cultural conflict, and the search for belonging. Her experiences underscore the complexity of immigrant identity and the lasting impact of cultural duality.

2. The power of sisterhood: Nahid and Pari's unbreakable bond

"Pari and I began to reminisce, the things half forgotten by one and fully recalled by the other. That magical afternoon when the little boy handed Pari a rose. That evening on the Karoon River bridge when boys followed us, whispering endearments. Me reading to Pari the stories I wrote. Her playing Laura onstage. It was as if nothing that had happened since equaled in intensity and excitement those moments Pari and I had shared."

Shared dreams and aspirations. Nahid and Pari's relationship forms the emotional core of the story. As young girls in Iran, they share dreams of personal freedom, artistic expression, and love. Their bond provides strength and comfort in the face of societal restrictions and family expectations.

Support through hardships. Throughout their lives, the sisters support each other through various hardships:

• Pari's unhappy marriage and subsequent divorce
• Nahid's struggle to adapt to life in America
• The loss of Pari's son to her ex-husband
• Nahid's feelings of cultural displacement

Enduring connection across distances. Even as their lives take different paths, with Nahid in America and Pari in Iran, their connection remains strong. Their shared memories and experiences continue to shape their identities and provide a sense of belonging that transcends geographical boundaries.

3. Women's rights and oppression in Iran: A generational struggle

"The few women who managed to succeed in the arts—such as the popular singers Googoosh and Hayedeh, the actress Aghdashloo, and the poet Furugh Farrukhzad—were referred to as 'promiscuous' or 'pushy.'"

Societal restrictions on women. The novel vividly portrays the limitations placed on women in Iranian society across different generations:

• Limited educational opportunities
• Arranged marriages at young ages
• Lack of freedom in choosing careers or pursuing artistic interests
• Unequal rights in marriage, divorce, and child custody

Generational shifts and resistance. The story traces the evolving attitudes towards women's rights across three generations:

1. Maryam's generation: largely accepting of traditional roles
2. Nahid and Pari's generation: beginning to question and resist societal norms
3. The younger generation in Iran: actively pushing for greater freedoms and rights

Impact of political changes. The narrative shows how political shifts, from the Shah's modernization efforts to the Islamic Revolution, dramatically affect women's lives and rights in Iran. These changes underscore the complex relationship between politics, religion, and gender roles in Iranian society.

4. The impact of political upheaval on personal lives in Iran

"Now we all feel cheated. We gained nothing, and so many people were killed," Zohreh said.

Revolutionary disillusionment. The novel depicts the initial hope and subsequent disappointment of many Iranians who supported the revolution against the Shah. Characters like Pari and her friends initially join the protests, only to later feel betrayed by the outcomes of the Islamic Revolution.

Personal consequences of political change:

• Family separations due to emigration
• Loss of careers and artistic freedoms
• Increased societal restrictions, especially for women
• Economic hardships resulting from political instability

Generational divide in political views. The story highlights how different generations view and respond to political changes in Iran:

• Older generations often more resistant to change
• Younger generations more likely to embrace revolutionary ideals
• Subsequent disillusionment among those who supported the revolution

5. The complexities of love, marriage, and family in Iranian culture

"I wish so much that she, and you of course, were a part of my life."

Traditional vs. modern views on marriage. The novel explores the tension between traditional arranged marriages and the desire for love matches:

• Nahid's parents' arranged marriage at a young age
• Pari's unhappy arranged marriage to Taheri
• Nahid's decision to marry for love in America

Family dynamics and expectations. The story delves into the complex relationships within Iranian families:

• The pressure to marry and have children
• The importance of maintaining family honor
• The struggle between individual desires and family obligations

The impact of divorce and separation. The narrative highlights the devastating consequences of divorce in Iranian society, particularly for women:

• Pari's loss of custody of her son
• The social stigma attached to divorced women
• The economic hardships faced by women after divorce

6. The pursuit of artistic and personal freedom in a restrictive society

"Pari hoped Mansour would take her to Tehran—she still wanted to pursue acting, but her main desire was to be in the same city as her son."

Artistic aspirations vs. societal expectations. The novel explores the tension between creative ambitions and cultural norms:

• Pari's dream of becoming an actress
• Nahid's passion for writing
• The societal disapproval of women in the arts

Censorship and artistic expression. The narrative depicts the challenges of creating art under restrictive regimes:

• Censorship of books, films, and music
• The danger of expressing political views through art
• The underground circulation of banned works

Personal freedom and self-expression. The characters' struggles for personal freedom are closely tied to their artistic aspirations:

• Nahid's decision to pursue education and writing in America
• Pari's attempts to balance her acting dreams with societal expectations
• The younger generation's efforts to express themselves through fashion and music

7. The lasting effects of displacement and the search for identity

"I was happy that there were no vigilant eyes on me; no one was going to inspect my sheets the next morning, looking for virginal blood."

Cultural adaptation and alienation. Nahid's experiences in America highlight the challenges of adapting to a new culture:

• Struggling to fit in at an American college
• Navigating cultural differences in dating and relationships
• Feeling like an outsider in both Iranian and American societies

The pull of homeland and heritage. Despite building a life in America, Nahid continues to feel a strong connection to Iran:

• Her ongoing correspondence with Pari
• Her decision to visit Iran despite political instability
• Her efforts to maintain Iranian traditions and language with her daughter

Intergenerational identity issues. The story touches on how displacement affects multiple generations:

• Nahid's struggle to reconcile her Iranian upbringing with her American life
• Her daughter's limited connection to Iranian culture and language
• The challenges faced by Iranian immigrants in maintaining their cultural identity

8. The Iranian Revolution: A turning point in history and personal lives

"It's all so ridiculous: boys and girls sit on separate sides, segregated as they are on buses and in many other public places."

Political upheaval and social change. The novel vividly portrays the dramatic changes brought about by the Iranian Revolution:

• The fall of the Shah and the rise of the Islamic Republic
• The implementation of strict Islamic laws and customs
• The impact on daily life, from dress codes to social interactions

Personal consequences of revolution:

• Families torn apart by political differences or emigration
• Loss of personal freedoms, especially for women
• Economic instability and job losses
• Increased censorship and restrictions on artistic expression

Global repercussions. The story also touches on the international impact of the Iranian Revolution:

• The Iran Hostage Crisis and its effect on U.S.-Iran relations
• The exodus of Iranians to other countries, including the United States
• The changing perception of Iran and Iranians in the West

Last updated: January 24, 2025