This was one of the reasons my parents emigrated to the United States. Iran was having a civil war and riots were breaking out in both rural and urban parts of the nation. There were terrible street battles at nights, which left many families on their roofs crying “Allah Akhbar” which translates to “God is great.” There was the sound of gunfire where military personnel and civilians were in violent disputes. My parents tell me this time was tough for all families in Iran. Economically, politically, socially, and emotionally my relatives and ancestors have been traumatized by the whole revolution. What I don’t understand is why did Satti want to walk around with a camera all day and take pictures of the scenes of riots and revolts.Pages 342-353Satti asks Hadji Dulabi from Qom to recollect the riots that had occurred many years ago. He frowned to recognize the events, then nodded his head and said that he remembered. It was a tough time for him because he was one of the few rebels that began speaking out against the shah and was penalized severely for it. He lost his possessions, money, and spent time in prison. I think it is quite captivating, and yet enigmatic to go through such trouble to educate her students. Being a Shiite Muslim that she is, she commits a couple of sins on her way to educate her students. It is a weird situation in my opinion and I cannot explain it any other way, nor can I comprehend it in any other way. Pages 375-388Whenever I am depressed or deplored, I read. Satti does the same exact thing. She knows at this point her country is in shambles and Khomeini trying to penalize those that have had any link with the shah and his attempt to create a modernized Iran. At this time, Khomeini is withdrawing from foreign political affairs and concerning himself solely with spiritual matters. This is where Satti feared for her life. Hossein tells her that since the Imam did not ...
