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Marji wants to be a prophet
Marji wanting to be a prophet shows her innocence and youth. Almost everyone around her was religious, and because she was barely 10 she picked it up. She didn’t know why really, but she wanted to make the world better, and her culture showed her this path. -
Marji meets her uncle Anoosh
Marji thought her uncle was a hero for being in prison, and basically worshipped him. He believed in communism, so she adopted that ideology quickly. When Anoosh was killed she was absolutely devastated. She was also very angry. -
Marji Rejects Her God
God was a huge part of Marji’s life until this point in the novel. He had effected her goals, dreams, and her way of life. When her uncle Anoosh was killed she lashed out and God and released God from her life. After this Marji felt alone, with no bearings. -
Marji goes to her first demonstration
Even though her parents go to demonstrations, Marji is specifically told she cannot go. When she decides against her parents wishes to go to the demonstration, it shows her independent thinking, and early rebellion. -
Marji’s mother is assaulted
When Marji’s mom was assaulted, Marji had to pretend to be a fundamentalist for fear of being attacked. Most of the women in Iran also adopted this strategy. Violence against women became so common, the government required all women and men to censor themselves with the veil, and long sleeves. -
Marji sees violence for the first time
Marji was aware of the deteriorating world around her, she was constantly scared for her family’s life, and had heard many stories. This demonstration was the first time she saw it with her own eyes though. After this event, she mentally grew up, and the innocent phase she was previously in had passed. -
Mali’s family moves in with Marji’s
Marji Gad kind of grown up by now, but she still only thought of herself, and family members. When Mali’s family moved in she felt bad for them, but did not realize what Mali’s family had gone through. After Mali was called a whore at the grocery store, Marji saw things from her family’s point of view, and was very ashamed. -
Marji is caught by Guardians of the Revolution
Two guardians of the revolution spotted Marji wearing a denim jacket, sneakers, and a Micheal Jackson button. When they confronted her, she lied her way out of it. This was her fist run in with the “police” of western society, and she was startled by it, but she continued to rebel showing that she hated the extreme fundamentalist’s culture. -
Marji smokes her first cigarette
Marji’s first cigarette is a sign of rebellion, not to the oppressive regime, but to her own mother. Her mother had screamed at her for cutting class to hang out with friends. Marji hated this and thought her mom was a dictator. All teenagers a one point think their parents are tyrants, and it is a sign of Marji growing up. -
Marji is sent to France
Since Marji would not stop rebelling against everything, her parents decided to send Marji to France for her safety. This shows that she is almost fully grown up. She obviously wants to stay with her parents in Iran, but knows she can handle being away from them.
