In 1979, in the middle east, a series of laws were constrained onto women that shaped their role in the country. This marked the beginning of the Islamic Revolution. During this period, the unique daughter of a young couple name Marjane Satrapi, gave an inside story of her family, and everyone arounds the family during the revolution. this revolution is supposed to separate the country from the outside world, furthermore a revolution to save the culture of their beautiful country, named Iran. Marji’s mother, a strong and independent woman, warns her to be careful when walking down the street, that she can’t be rebellious. This shows the constraints many Iranian women lived during this time period. Although the Iranian government oppresses women, Persepolis shows that despite these restrictions there can still be powerful women who push back as seen through Marji and her mother’s rebellion and her grandma playing a role of advisor.
As Perin Gurel in the article of: “Transnational Feminism, Islam, and the Other Woman: How to Teach” mentioned, “to understand the role of women in Persepolis, two word needs to be historize, Feminism, and Islamic.” He continues by giving example of a a few women around the world such as:
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The Iranian government forces women to follow certain rules that are oppressive and discriminatory. This is clearly shown in Persepolis, as Marji learns about women and their punishments, for doing things many people on the outside world take for granted. The first example of this is wearing the veil. The veil is an article of clothing that is intended to cover the head and hair to make sure it is not distracting the males. “Then came 1980: The year it became obligatory to wear the veil. We didn’t really like the veil, especially since we didn’t understand why we had to” (Satrapi 3). A man on the TV spoke about women’s hair. “‘Women’s hair emanates rays that excite men. That’s why women should cover their hair? If in fact, it is more civilized to go without the veil, than animals are more civilized than us’” ( Persepolis 74). This shows the way the veil affects young women growing up during the time period of resistance and the veil. Marji had to confront to these obstacles, as were other young girls. This treatment of women became their reality and they must adjust to it. This treatment is the punishment for young girls who are arrested. “‘You know that it’s against the law to kill a virgin, so a guardian of the revolution marries her and takes her virginity before executing her. Do you understand what that means???” (Persepolis 145). This punishment of rape and execution shows the fact that women were seen as a property, something that had a set of laws around, but no actual free will. No choices. Young girls lived in silence for fear that this fate might happen to them. Marji’s mother was simply trying to help her understand the danger she was in, that all young girls are in. These dangers are restrictive, forceful, and cause harm to young women growing up in this Iran. Although these restrictions and Marji’s age, she figured out how to revolt on her own level.
Marjane Satrapi lived her life in Iran as an outspoken young girl who had to be told to be careful. While the Iranian government tried to control women, Marji managed to show her rebellious side and stay alive. When her parents go on a trip to Europe, they brings her presents that was illegal to the regime. as she walks around her town wearing her newly acquired, yet seen as shameful, gifts. She is stopped by two Guardians of the Revolution. “Their job was to put us back on the straight and narrow by explaining the duties of Muslim women. … ‘Lower your scarf, you little whore!” … I got off pretty easy, considering. The Guardians of the Revolution didn’t find my tapes” (133-134). Marji is a rebel through and through. She shows hair on the edges of her veil, wears a Michael Jackson pin, and buys music tapes, which are all illegal. When she get caught she lies her way out of it, with a little bit of luck, as they didn’t find her tapes. Marji rebels with her whole heart, she does not care about the rules or to lie to get out of any situation. She also rebels against the country’s ‘beating the breast’. “Hitting themself is one of the country’s rituals. … After a little while, no one took the torture seriously anymore. As for me, I immediately started making fun of them” (Persepolis 96-97). Marji found it hilarious and chooses to make a joke out of it. This shows exactly who she is and her rebellious side. Marji uses humor to rebel because women were not supposed to be funny. This is her weapons against the rules of her country, and the stereotype of women in the country. Marji had her own personality, mixed with that of her mother’s. Marji is a rebel, but she learns all these things, and more, from her parents, and her grandparents`.
Marji’s mother stands for all women and helps teach her daughter all the rebellion that she can show, while still being safe. Marji’s parents are wondering if they should let their daughter come to a protest. “‘She should start learning to defend her rights as a woman right now!’” This simple quote shows how she is guiding her daughter and teaching her. Marji’s mother may worry and tell her not to rebel at times, but she loves her daughter and wants to keep her safe and let her rebel at the same time. This is a classic mother response. She worries for her daughter but wants her to be strong and fight for what they know is right. Marji’s mother wants to rebel and teach her daughter that she can do the same thing. While there is a fear, she still wants her daughter to know it is the right thing to do. When Marji’s mom bringing presents for Marji mother, she uses her creativity to find a way to transport them without getting caught. “And then my mother had a great idea. ‘Take off your coat.’ She tore out the lining. Then she placed the two posters behind it and then sewed it back in. … ‘Sir, please, do we really look like smugglers?’. (Persepolis 127-129). This exchange shows Marji’s mother’s creativeness and her disregard for the rules and respecting the Customs worker. In fact, she interrupts him and proves that she is a strong woman without a care. She wants to bring back the presents for her daughter by any mean. Marji’s mom really stood up for every woman in her circle, such as her maid, when she found out about the maid son talking about the key to heaven, she asked her maid to bring him in, so she could try to teach him some sense. Also, Marji’s mom kept her door open for everyone during the Iraq war. Marji’s mother is a modern woman with a little rebel fire still burning deep inside her. Rebellion clearly runs in the family and Marji and her mother use their wits and strength to break down the roles of women in Iran.
Marjane’s Grandma plays a model role in Marji life, her number one supporter. she reveals very little about her past. She admits to Marji that life was difficult at times. She reveals that the shah took everything that they owned, and that her husband was often in prison due to his communist beliefs. But she found a way to make things work. She provided for all six of her children, frequently on her own. This shows the strength and fortitude of this woman to be able to succeed when conditions are not favorable. She grew up in times when it was dangerous to talk disparaging about the political leaders. Even having differing political views could place you in danger. For these reasons, it seems clear why she has become a private person, not revealing much information about herself or her family. She has learned to remain quiet. This way, no one can offer any proof to governing authorities that you are doing anything questionable that might bring harm to the leaders of the country. Based on her stay with Marji the night before she leaves for Europe, it would seem that she was in agreement with her parents' decision to send her away. She doesn't want to go to the airport with them, which reveals that this is painful for her to see her granddaughter leave, but at the same time, it prevents Marji from seeing her in a moment of weakness. She doesn't want Marji to see her cry or be upset about leaving, because that might influence her to remain, knowing how much pain her departure would cause everyone. The grandmother remains strong for the family so that they can do what is best for them. It is moments such as these that the reader begins to understand how much she loves her family.
During this time period, and currently, women aren’t seen as equals in Iran. Persepolis gives a narrative side to the world that most of us have only heard about on the news. The story is a tale of growing up, mistreatment, inequality, rebellion, and so much more. The role of women in this book change and can be represented in so many ways. There is the role that the country forces on the women and girls growing up, but there is also the role Marji’s mother teachers her. She teaches Marji how to be her own woman. How to stay safe, yet rebel. Marji must learn how to control her rebellious nature, but never forget it. Marji grows up in this book, learning from her mother, but also shaping her own path. At the end of the book when she is sent off, this is her shaping her own path, moving on. She lets go of Iran and her parents, at least for now. Persepolis shows the different roles women can take on, or are forced into, perfectly. The rebel, the modern, the fundamentalist, and the follower. The rebel is Marji. Her mother is the modern, the Guardians of the Revolution are the fundamentalists and the followers are the thousands of women who stayed silent under this oppression.
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