The Lion Women of Tehran

Discuss the motif of the shir zan or lion woman as it appears throughout the novel and is connected to the title. Identify the qualities associated with the lion woman, and identify which of Kamali’s characters would qualify as a shir zan, using support from the text.

Examine and compare Ellie and Homa as foils, complements, or antagonists of one another. Discuss how each woman grows and matures in relation to and distinction to one another. What point do you think Kamali is making with this distinction?

Explore how Kamali relies on the history of Iran to build and shape her story. What events are integral to her story, and why? What larger argument do you see her making about Iranian history and the current state of the country?