Touba

Shahruush Parsipur’s novel Touba and the Meaning of Life follows the story of a women’s life living in Iran through numerous major historical events. Through Touba’s life we see the struggles she encounters as a women, and the historical struggles Iran faces at the same time. The difficulties of the main character are a reflection of the difficulties of the nation. In the character of Touba, Parsipur explores the changing fortunes of Iran through 80 years of turbulent history.

Touba’s personal life is dramatically effected by events that happen in Iranian history. Every aspect of her life is changed in some way according to things that happen within the Iranian boarders. The 1909 coup against Mohammed Ali Shah dramatically affects Touba’s home life. In July of 1908, after months of political conflict, Mohammed Ali Shah authorized the Russian brigade to attack the parliament, then dissolve it and the constitution. Pro-constitutionalists in 1909 recruited a large armed force to march on Tehran. Mohammad Ali Shah then sought refuge in the Russian legation and departed from Iran. With Mohammad Ali Shah finding refuge away from Iran and the Qajar dynasty doing much of the same, including her husband the Qajar Prince, Touba is left to raise her four children alone. The fleeing and breakdown of the Qajar dynasty also represents the breakdown of Touba’s personal life and family. This is another example of how Touba’s life and the Iranian nation reflect each other.