In "Reading Lolita in Tehran," Azar Nafisi explores the impact of the Islamic Revolution on society and culture, highlighting how it transformed the lives of individuals, particularly women. The revolution, while ostensibly a push for religious enlightenment, led to increased oppression and restricted freedoms, creating an atmosphere of fear and suppression that stifled personal expression and intellectual engagement.

Nafisi suggests that the regime's use of Islam as a justification for its authoritarian practices had more detrimental effects than external influences. By enforcing strict interpretations of Islamic law, the revolution alienated and offended many who sought to engage with their literary and cultural heritage freely. The narrative poignantly captures the struggles faced by those who cherished literature and intellectual discourse in the face of oppression.