Olivia D’Souza
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Marjane Satrapi
2000
Nonfiction (Memoir)
Iran
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood begins in Iran, right after the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The revolution resulted in the fall of the Shah of Iran and the rise of the establishment of the Islamic Republic. As a young girl, Marjane Satrapi, mostly known as Marji, attended a French co-educational school. Because of the new republic however, all Western influences were banned including “French” schooling. All girls were also forced to wear veils. Life changes drastically for Marji as she begins to gain a greater understanding of the history of Iran and the constant political and religious influences. Marji also begins to go through a period of religious doubt, ultimately rejecting God after seeing her beloved uncle before his execution. Marji’s family participated in demonstrations against the oppressive republic but the demonstrations began to turn violent and within some time, the Iraq-Iran War began. The war brings a new wave of refugees and despicable propaganda paints the act of dying in war as martyrdom and the key to paradise. During the war, policing became more strict and both Marji and her parents were nearly arrested on several occasions. Ballistic missiles began to be used in war and one destroyed Marji’s neighbor’s house. Marji is traumatized seeing the severed arm of her friend poking through the rubble. Growing more rebellious after her direct exposure to war, Marji is expelled from school. Soon after, her family decides that the safest way for Marji to continue her education would be in a different country. Marji leaves her family and begins a new journey in Vienna, Austria.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood details the quick changes that can occur within a country due to new leadership. The family structure in Iram is similar to that of the United States. Many families living in Iran have the universal structure of a mother, father, and 1-3 children, however having more children is not uncommon. Politics and religion play a big role in Iranian society as government and religion are closely intertwined. During the events depicted in the graphic novel, the new regime was trying to create a strictly Islamic state. Socioeconomic mobility was not completely mentioned in the novel but it can be very difficult. Due to the strict government regulation, it became very hard to find work as a woman and the education to receive a job was limited to certain male demographics while others were forced to join the army. The parallels between my culture and that portrayed in Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood is the familial connections. Marji was very close to her parents and admired them. Together she and her family were able to make the best decisions for themselves. Although I cannot connect with Marjane Satrapi on a situational level, her perseverance and familial connection are very similar to what I have needed to get through tougher experiences in my life.
The central conflict presented in this memoir was the strict rule of the Islamic republic in Iran. Despite the claims of bringing respect and honor to Islam, the leaders of the republic were lying to citizens forcing them to participate in war and conducting violent actions in the name of a peaceful religion. The conflict of the issue of the Iranian government has not been solved, not even in reality, however Marji was able to go on to study in a separate country and begin to gain new experiences. I believe that the author did a very good job of handling the causes of the conflict and portraying her childhood in Iran. These conflicts are very culturally based but similar situations have occurred in other countries around the world. Reading Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood changed my worldview by showing me the reality of oppressive, extremist regimes in countries today. I had no idea the effects war can have on one’s childhood and Marjan Satrapi perfectly depicted the true reality of her childhood in a graphic novel format.
The central theme of this book is perseverance and staying true to oneself. Despite witnessing war and death throughout the memoir, Marji and her family continue to fight for their freedoms through demonstrations and work to survive together. Their perseverance is what also helped them to decide to find a safer way for Marji to continue her education. This message is relevant to all other cultures because war and oppression whether physical or societal can have a large effect on one’s development. But having a family to trust and take care of, and always staying true to one’s beliefs will help them to persevere.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Marjane Satrapi
2000
Nonfiction (Memoir)
Iran
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood begins in Iran, right after the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The revolution resulted in the fall of the Shah of Iran and the rise of the establishment of the Islamic Republic. As a young girl, Marjane Satrapi, mostly known as Marji, attended a French co-educational school. Because of the new republic however, all Western influences were banned including “French” schooling. All girls were also forced to wear veils. Life changes drastically for Marji as she begins to gain a greater understanding of the history of Iran and the constant political and religious influences. Marji also begins to go through a period of religious doubt, ultimately rejecting God after seeing her beloved uncle before his execution. Marji’s family participated in demonstrations against the oppressive republic but the demonstrations began to turn violent and within some time, the Iraq-Iran War began. The war brings a new wave of refugees and despicable propaganda paints the act of dying in war as martyrdom and the key to paradise. During the war, policing became more strict and both Marji and her parents were nearly arrested on several occasions. Ballistic missiles began to be used in war and one destroyed Marji’s neighbor’s house. Marji is traumatized seeing the severed arm of her friend poking through the rubble. Growing more rebellious after her direct exposure to war, Marji is expelled from school. Soon after, her family decides that the safest way for Marji to continue her education would be in a different country. Marji leaves her family and begins a new journey in Vienna, Austria.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood details the quick changes that can occur within a country due to new leadership. The family structure in Iram is similar to that of the United States. Many families living in Iran have the universal structure of a mother, father, and 1-3 children, however having more children is not uncommon. Politics and religion play a big role in Iranian society as government and religion are closely intertwined. During the events depicted in the graphic novel, the new regime was trying to create a strictly Islamic state. Socioeconomic mobility was not completely mentioned in the novel but it can be very difficult. Due to the strict government regulation, it became very hard to find work as a woman and the education to receive a job was limited to certain male demographics while others were forced to join the army. The parallels between my culture and that portrayed in Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood is the familial connections. Marji was very close to her parents and admired them. Together she and her family were able to make the best decisions for themselves. Although I cannot connect with Marjane Satrapi on a situational level, her perseverance and familial connection are very similar to what I have needed to get through tougher experiences in my life.
The central conflict presented in this memoir was the strict rule of the Islamic republic in Iran. Despite the claims of bringing respect and honor to Islam, the leaders of the republic were lying to citizens forcing them to participate in war and conducting violent actions in the name of a peaceful religion. The conflict of the issue of the Iranian government has not been solved, not even in reality, however Marji was able to go on to study in a separate country and begin to gain new experiences. I believe that the author did a very good job of handling the causes of the conflict and portraying her childhood in Iran. These conflicts are very culturally based but similar situations have occurred in other countries around the world. Reading Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood changed my worldview by showing me the reality of oppressive, extremist regimes in countries today. I had no idea the effects war can have on one’s childhood and Marjan Satrapi perfectly depicted the true reality of her childhood in a graphic novel format.
The central theme of this book is perseverance and staying true to oneself. Despite witnessing war and death throughout the memoir, Marji and her family continue to fight for their freedoms through demonstrations and work to survive together. Their perseverance is what also helped them to decide to find a safer way for Marji to continue her education. This message is relevant to all other cultures because war and oppression whether physical or societal can have a large effect on one’s development. But having a family to trust and take care of, and always staying true to one’s beliefs will help them to persevere.