Music and Rebellion
In “Kim Wilde,” Marji blasts this 1980s hit as an act of defiance against the guardians of the revolution.
What is “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde?
Girls at Marji’s French school must don this garment in 1980.
What is the veil (hijab)?
This slogan, screamed from a blood‐donation van, urges Iranians to “inject blood into the veins of society.”
What is “To die a martyr is to inject blood into the veins of society”?
Marji’s parents smuggle back this American athletic footwear for her.
What are Nike sneakers?
“The Cigarette,” Marji marks her break from her mother’s “dictatorship” by doing this for the first time.
What is smoking her first cigarette?
One of Marji’s coveted smuggled posters is of this New Wave heavy-metal crossover band.
Who is Iron Maiden?
At the university convocation, women are told wearing these is “indecent,” despite men wearing them freely.
What are pants?
Falsely accused of espionage, this beloved relative is executed, shattering Marji’s optimism.
Who is Uncle Anoosh?
Among her gifts from Turkey is this sweet treat, emblematic of Western consumerism.
What is chocolate?
in “The Cigarette,” Marji asserts her independence by doing this to her schooling, lying to her mother and distancing herself from parental control.
What is cutting class?
Basement black-market cassettes include “Back in Black” by this Australian rock band.
What is AC/DC?
Marji is briefly detained for wearing bright red ones, deemed “obscene” by the guardians.
What are socks?
These plastic tokens, painted gold and hung around boys’ necks, promise entry to paradise if they die.
What are plastic keys painted gold?
This denim garment is sewn into Marji’s jacket to sneak it past customs.
What is a denim jacket?
“The Letter,” Marji defiantly takes her maid Mehri to this violent event that left hundreds dead and became known as “Black Friday.”
What is the Black Friday protest?
Her mother’s surprise gift includes a poster of this Swedish pop group.
Who is ABBA?
Art students must learn this “macho” drawing subject is forbidden for women.
What is drawing nudes?
Overhead sirens signal these jets bombing Tehran.
What are F-14s?
Marji proudly pins this pop icon on her veil and is challenged by the guardians.
Who is Michael Jackson?
When the regime bans social gatherings, Marji sneaks into her uncle’s clandestine basement party to do this forbidden activity.
What is drinking wine?
Marji dreams of this Pink Floyd album, banned but reverberating in her imagination.
What is The Dark Side of the Moon?
From her first volume, schools enforce separation of these two groups.
What is gender-segregated education?
The family rejoices when this patriotic act is broadcast to free pilots in prison.
What is airing Iran’s national anthem on state TV?
Marji’s coveted novelty is this Western clothing staple, tight, blue, and forbidden.
What are tight jeans?
After witnessing blatant propaganda in school, Marji risks expulsion by doing this.
What is publicly correcting her teacher?