Persepolis Final Essay

Persepolis The graphic novel, Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi follows her childhood life from ages six to fourteen during the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the Islamic Revolution and the effects of war with Iraq in which paints a portrait of daily life in Iran within the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. This is a story of transformation that creates a shift in perspective from the young narrator, Marjane’s point of view in consequence of the changing political and religious culture that surrounds her. The transformation of Marjane’s life demonstrates her consequently acting and believing in a particular way but through hardships and growing up, she is completely different in the end. Marjane was convinced that the king was chosen by God while her graven image was God. “‘And that’s how he became king and naturally his son succeeded him. God has nothing whatsoever to do with this story’ ‘Maybe God helped them nevertheless’” (Satrapi, 24 frame 9, 25, Frame 1). As Marjane learns the reality between how the king is chosen in relation to God, she starts to fade away from him as her perception of God changes as she begins to think differently. Violence in Marjane’s life transitions the way she feels and thinks. “That was my last meeting with my beloved Anoosh” (70, Frame 1). Marjane’s life changed entirely after the death of her uncle. Marjane was lost, not only because he was so important to her, but because she began to question her very own government. During the transition of Marjane’s child life to her teen life she had to endure an unforgettable daily life in Iran in which involved violence. “You say that we don’t have political prisoners anymore. But we’ve gone from 3000 prisoners under the Shah to 300,000 under your regime” (144, Frame 4). This demonstrates the transitioned innocent child to a rebel teen who is not afraid to voice her opinion and her knowledge. Marjane’s transformation leads to her shift in perception. The shift in perspective of the young narrator from her child life to her teen life can be developed within her daily life during the Islamic Revolution. The more Marjane is involved with the Revolution the less she involves herself with God. “Despite everything, God came to see me from time to time. ‘So you don’t want to be a Prophet anymore? [Said God]’ ‘Let’s talk about something else. [Marjane replies]’ ‘You think I look like Marx? [Said God]’ ‘I told you to talk about something else [Marjane replies]’” (13, Frame 4). As Marjane begins to develop her knowledge upon political theories and Karl Marx, her relationship with God weakens. Marjane refuses to engage in a conversation about her desire of becoming a prophet as her reality broadens and she is more open minded about what is going on around her. Marjane realizes that her passion lies somewhere rather than God, instead she turns to focus on the political warfare present and her family history. “That night I stayed a very long time in the bath. I wanted to know what it felt like to be in a cell filled with water. ‘What are you doing? [God asks]’ My hands were wrinkled when I came out, like Grandpa’s” (25, Frame 8-9). As Marjane acquires the knowledge of her grandfather’s tortured imprisonment, she tries to better understand his experience. Her grandfather was tortured in a cell filled with water for hours, thus Marjane takes a very long bath to experience it herself. During this experience God visited Marjane, but she did not entertain his conversation. Instead, she focuses on the wrinkles on her hands when she got out, much like her Grandfather’s. Marjane’s perspective changes as the beginning of the war approaches. “‘Everything will be alright…[said Marjane to herself]’ ‘Marji, what seems to be the problem [God said]’ ‘Shut up, you! Get out of my life!!! I never want to see you again! Get out! [said Marjane]’ And so I was lost, without any bearings… what could be worse than that? ‘Marji, run to the basement! We’re being bombed!’ It was the beginning of the war” (70-71). After Marjane loses her uncle Anoosh, God was present to ask her what is going on, Marjane lividly tells God that she no longer wants him in her life. This is the last time God is seen in the story. Marjane then feels lost, but now she had to prepare for much bigger obstacles… war. Marjane’s point of view not only transforms, but her perspective is altered due to the unforgettable life around her. The consequences of the changing political and religious culture transformed life in Iran and created a change in the way young Marjane perceives the world. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in which the westernized monarch named the Shah was overthrown. The new government was extremely oppressive and religious. The government made veils obligatory for all girls and women. “In 1979 a revolution took place. It was later called ‘The Islamic Revolution’. Then came 1980: the year it became obligatory to wear the veil at school. ‘Wear this! [said a woman handing Marjane a veil]’ We didn’t really like to wear the veil, especially since we didn’t understand why we had to” (3, Frame 3-5). This was the beginning of the changing political and religious culture that constructed Marjane and her thoughts. Although, Marjane didn’t let her thoughts conform. Marjane did not like the veil, which is a head covering to conceal hair. She simply disliked it because she does not understand why she has to wear it. As the Revolution began, Marjane found herself drifting to what she desired and believed in the most. “I really didn’t know what to think about the veil. Deep down I was very religious but as a family we were very modern and avant-garde. I was born with religion. At the age of six I was already sure I was the last prophet. This was a few years before the revolution” (6, Frame 1-3). Marjane was an enormous believer of God. She even desired to become the last prophet. As life went on she grew apart from God and began demonstrating. In addition, she started examining books about history and the revolution in order to be more knowledgeable. As Iraq invades Iran, war begins. Teenage boys are being recruited for the army and are promised a key into heaven. As Marjane sees, most of the teenage boys do not return. “‘You see this? [Mrs. Nasrine said] ‘It’s a plastic key painted gold. [replied Marjane’s mom] ‘They gave this to my son at school. They told the boys that if they went to war and were lucky enough to die, this key would get them into heaven’” (99, Frame 3-4). The government will trade this key into heaven for recruits. Marjane begins to worry about her cousin and ask if he was given a key to paradise. Marjane begins to see things differently from now on. The change within the government produced visible political and religious transformations throughout Iran. The changes also produced consequences for the people living in Iran through this unforgettable time. More specifically, Marjane. Through the transformation resulted from the political and religious changes from the new government, Marjane’s perspective is altered from the unforgettable life that she lived. The graphic novel, Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi follows her childhood life and personal experiences during the Islamic Revolution and paints a portrait of daily life in Iran within the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. This is a story of transformation that creates a shift in perspective from the young narrator, Marjane’s point of view in consequence of the changing political and religious culture caused by a new form of government through everyday encounters. Word Count: 1294