Persepolis

 







Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is an autobiography in the form of a graphic novel.  It tells of her life living with her family in Tehran, Iran during the 1970ś and 1980´s.  During this time ¨Margi¨ was in her early teen years.  During this time the Islamic Revolution was occurring and the Western backed government of the Shah was overthrown.  This brought along many changes that made an impact on how people were expected to behave.  Marji struggles through these changes and especially has a hard time adjusting at her school and their structure rules.  Marji´s family protests against the strict regime, but stops when it becomes too dangerous after there is a picture posted of her mom protesting in the newspaper.  Conflict arises between Marji and her family because her spiritual beliefs differ.  Since she was a young girl she has believed she would grow up to be a prophet.  She is close with God and begins to study books about famous revolutionaries and philosophers.  She desires to become a hero and wants this for her parents too.  Later on she learns of the history of rebels in her family and she becomes excited.  Marji also has an idol, her Uncle Anoosh, who had been arrested for rebelling.  Soon after he is released from prison, he is imprisoned again by Islamics and he is executed.  This devastates Marji and as a result she questions her faith in God.  Under the Islamic fundamentalist´s rule, things become stricter and harder to follow.  Marji finds these rules hypocritical  and difficult, so she starts to act out.  These actions get her expelled from school.  Her mother begs Margi to follow the rules because she fears for her safety.  Iran becomes more dangerous with violence and bombs.  People are trying to escape.  Marji´s family makes the decision to send her to school abroad in Vienna, so that she will be able to escape Iran.  

Perseopolis is a memoir that shows readers the hardships faced by Islamics through the Islamic Revolution.  Marji is an adorable girl that faces real life challenges brought on by war.  She also is a child that follows politics.  Readers can connect to Marji as she tries to overcome these challenges and tries for a better life.

Sartrapi, M. (2004).  Persepolis.  NY: Pantheon

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