The Lion Women of Tehran

Homa’s battle to survive and handle the trauma of rape foreshadows the larger battle she will fight for women’s freedoms; her assault is a forerunner of the stripping of rights and autonomy that the Islamic Republic will impose under the guise of enforcing morality. Homa’s role as a survivor reflects the theme of The Protectiveness of Mothers, as her resilience becomes focused on ensuring a better life for her daughter, Bahar, and by extension, all the young women she teaches.

The lion woman becomes the symbol that bears Homa through her most fraught moments—when she is subjected to interrogation, then assault, in prison, and when she confronts the man attacking Bahar during the protest. Her enduring bravery also demonstrates her loyalty to the next generation of women, especially Bahar, thus intertwining Bonds of Friendship and Loyalty with her larger fight for justice. Homa’s journey in these chapters is to reclaim her courage, power, and voice, and being a teacher—a mentor, guide, and champion for other young women—helps restore these qualities to her. The act of teaching and nurturing younger women ties directly into the protectiveness of mothers, as Homa sees her battle not just for Bahar’s future but for all the girls she instructs and inspires.

Homa’s fierce, direct, unapologetic voice in the chapters she narrates poses a contrast to the softer, at times more lyrical language in the chapters told from Ellie’s point of view, helping to further illustrate the difference between the characters. Homa’s assertive voice also reflects her refusal to be silenced by guilt or oppression, unlike Ellie, whose guilt weighs heavily on her decisions. This contrast highlights Jealousy, Guilt, and Redemption, as Ellie’s internal struggles play out in more muted ways than Homa’s external defiance.

Through Homa, Kamali explores the repercussions of the Islamic revolution on women in Iran: the sense of tragedy and fear at the vanished opportunity for democracy, and the physical threat to their bodies from the men who will demand submission and compliance using violent means. She captures the women’s sense of fury when their voices are not heard, when they are silenced and hidden beneath the hijab. However, the author also furnishes a sense of hope, embodied in the young women Homa teaches, and in Bahar herself, that there may ultimately be some way to defeat the forces of oppression. This sense of hope is tied to Bonds of Friendship and Loyalty, as the solidarity of women like Homa and her students represents a collective resistance to injustice.

Abdol’s death, a personal grief to Homa and Bahar, also figures the losses that others are experiencing as the revolution begins and the Ayatollah’s supporters engage in terrorist tactics. The cinema is targeted as a westernized and immoral symbol, showing the religious fighters’ moral stance. Homa’s grief over Abdol’s death connects to the protectiveness of mothers, as her determination to secure a safer, freer world for Bahar is only strengthened by her loss. Western influences in Iran have been alluded to throughout, most humorously in the soft drink Canada Dry, which Ellie learns is an American product. It’s a further irony that Ellie, who was never greatly invested in having or protecting her rights, should remove to a country known for its democratic freedoms. Ellie’s detachment from these struggles contrasts with Homa’s more active fight for women’s rights, again touching on Jealousy, Guilt, and Redemption, as Ellie may feel guilt for having the freedom Homa still battles to achieve.

As the tone of the novel darkens with events in Iran, Kamali leavens the darkness with moments of tenderness or humor—for instance, in showing the formidable Homa, who stood up to her prison guards, sweating as she encounters her first classroom full of students. These moments of vulnerability highlight Homa’s continued humanity and hope, reminding readers that The Protectiveness of Mothers is not only a struggle but also a journey of love and care for the next generation. Homa’s delight when she and Bahar dance, for a moment setting aside their worries, calls back the exultant moment when Homa and Ellie, holding hands, leaped across the fire. Even in struggle, Kamali reminds the reader, there can be times of joy. This sense of joy connects to Bonds of Friendship and Loyalty, as both Homa’s relationship with Bahar and her past bond with Ellie reflect how human connection can transcend even the darkest times.