Identify a major turning point in Marjane's life in the Tehran years and explain its impact.

• A. Her first protest.
• B. Meeting a friend from school.
• C. The execution of her uncle Anoosh.
• D. Leaving Iran.

Answer: (C)

A turning point in Marjane's Tehran years is the execution of her uncle Anoosh. This moment lays bare the brutal reality of the new regime and the price of dissent, even for someone she loves. Anoosh’s stories had shown her resistance and the idea that standing up for beliefs could be dangerous; his execution reveals that political violence can reach into family life and erase the myths of safety after the revolution. The impact on Marjane is deep: she shifts from believing in heroic tales about political struggle to a wary, more critical view of power, injustice, and the costs of speaking out. This event anchors her emerging political awareness and strengthens her resolve to preserve her voice even in the face of fear.