Lucy McElroy - Persepolis

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Persepolis is unlike any novel I have ever read. I don’t mean that in the sense that it’s a graphic novel, but I mean that the way Marjane Satrapi told the story is phenomenal. It’s highly attractive to young readers and nonreaders, which is great for teachers because it recounts real events, but in an entertaining way. It’s educational, but it’s not boring in the least bit. I obtained more knowledge about Iran and the Islamic revolution from reading Persepolis than I did learning history in high school. Honestly, I don’t remember them teaching it at all. I would have been very interested in this in school.
The chapter starting on page 94 really grabbed my attention because it’s presenting such a serious topic, but it’s done in a way that is almost humorous. Satrapi explains the situation during the heat of the Islamic revolution. The adults in her life are not concerned about the tragedies happening.  It begins with her reading about all Iran’s fallen “martyrs”, which are the soldiers ready to die for Iran. Her mother asks her to fix her hair up for her – even though she has to wear a hijab – which is symbolic of people’s inattentiveness to the revolution.Marjane: “Mom, don’t all these dead mean anything to you?”
Mrs. Satrapi: “Of course they mean something to me! But we are still living!”
Mrs. Satrapi: “Our country has always known war and martyrs. So, like my father said: “When a big wave comes, lower your head and let it pass!” (94).

Marjane seems to be the little voice throughout Persepolis shouting “this is not okay!” At times, it’s like she’s the only one who sees something wrong about everything going on. Incorporating this perspective is important for the author’s purpose in telling the story – education of the Islamic revolution in Iran and the reactions to the revolution.

Comments

  1. Ms LopezNovember 18, 2016 at 4:05 PM

    Great observation about the adults being inattentive. I didn't even notice that! I like that you quoted Mrs Satrapi saying 'lower your head and let it pass.' I feel like that's often the reaction people have to political instability. Like "Oh it'll pass, just keep your head down." Even in Yanek's situation in Prisoner B-3087, there was this sense of disbelief at first in his parents. People never want to believe that things will get bad.

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  2. UnknownNovember 20, 2016 at 6:42 AM

    I think it's also the fact that the parents lived through it before. As shown by the book this is something that has existed for many years where people would come in and oppress them. As a result the parents have become less sensitive to it and have considered it a part of their life. Im sure they too probably let it affect them when they were younger but eventually became to accepting to it as a way of life. Marjane just came into it so she is more critical, hopeful, and shocked.

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