End of Persepolis

After reading the second half of Persepolis, I think Satrapi really exemplifies her life outside of Iran and how it changes her as a person rather than focusing on how Iran shaped her opinions and beliefs. By leaving Iran and encountering the situations that she does, her ideals change as does her outlook on life. She was able to do some growing up outside of the regime's laws and therefore, could never really live happily in Iran once she returned.

As she struggles to find her identity, her views and opinions change. As we discussed in class, her views of sexuality change; she learns to be comfortable with homosexuality and talking about her body among other things. Her opinions of society changes as well; in Vienna, she able to freely express herself and go out in public dressed as she pleases. She doesn't have to worry about being religious or having to behave a certain way. Essentially, she tastes the freedom of other societies and cannot handle the oppression once she returns to Iran. I really got the sense that she was finding her identity as a result of the conflict in Iran and ironically, she just couldn't live there anymore once she found who she was.

Sarah