To decipher the political, cultural, and religious transformations in Iran, it is essential to study literature produced by women, and one of the most influential female authors is Parvin E’tesami. At her time, self-expression by writing and publishing poetry was a transgressive act for women, and in doing that she had to defend herself. Contextualisation and close reading of her poems about women, and her life provides us with a lens into the current Iranian women’s uprising. Today, more than ever, Persian and Iranian studies can benefit from examining women’s literary contributions.

Click here to read the interview with Zhinia Noorian, in which she talks about her research on the female poet Parvin E’tesami (1907-1941) and how it sheds light on the current situation in Iran.