Summary
Highlights
Following a series of massacres, the Shah's reign was nearing its end. He attempted to appease the public by declaring a move towards democracy, testing numerous prime ministers. However, his efforts were met with increased public disdain, as statues were torn down and his effigy burned. The people's sole desire was his departure. When he finally left the country, it sparked an unprecedented celebration across the nation.
Jimmy Carter, the U.S. President, refused refuge to the exiled Shah, highlighting a shift in international alliances driven by oil interests. Anwar Sadat, the President of Egypt and a long-time friend of the Shah, offered him asylum. This was viewed as a betrayal by some due to Sadat's pact with Israel, drawing parallels to the Shah's own political dealings. The discussion among citizens underscores a bleak outlook on regional peace as long as oil remains a central interest.
The period after the Shah's departure brought about significant societal shifts, including the reopening of schools. Children were instructed to remove all images of the Shah from their books, creating confusion as teachers previously lauded him as chosen by God. Adults, once united in protest, also faced new social dynamics, with some exaggerating their contributions to the revolution. These changes signal a complex and often contradictory post-revolutionary environment.
The animosity of the revolution trickled down to the children. The protagonist and her friends planned to assault Ramin, whose father was accused of being part of the SAVAK, the Shah's secret police, and killing millions. The protagonist's mother intervenes, denouncing their violent plan and stressing the importance of forgiveness, despite Ramin's father's perceived actions. She highlights that justice is not for them to administer and that children should not be held accountable for their parents' deeds. Ramin, however, defends his father's actions, demonstrating the deep ideological divisions persisting even among the youth.