Persepolis

As we discusses in class, prior to reading Persepolis I had a very negative view of Iran. Our society has taught us to view anyone who looks like they are from the Middle East as a potential terrorist. I feel that Marjane Satrapi did a great job showing us that there is another side of Iran and its people. It also showed me that the people of Iran were dominated by their government and forced to adopt the fundamentalist practices. As I read the book I felt that Marjane and her family were living in a constant state of fear,yet, they always found time and a way in which they could enjoy themselves and each other. Seeing their people go from a progressive revolution to a completely oppressive revolution upset me. Hearing the story from Marjane's mouth made it all the more personal and I began to question what if something like this happened here? I can not imagine how it feels to live and fear and be forced to practice a religion that you do not even believe in. In the graphic novel you see her mother go from protesting and being very strong in her beliefs to being forced to wear a veil out of fear for her life. I can not say what I would have done in that situation. It is noble to fight for a cause that you believe in, however, how can you find the courage and strength to do so when people are dying by the dozens every day for the same cause and no justice is coming from it?



Although there were many important parts in the novel, one part stood out to me the most. When Mrs. Nasrine and Marj's cousin Shahab spoke about the government recruiting young, poor boys and brainwashing them into believing that a little plastic key will be their key to Heaven after their death. To me, this was a very powerful part in the novel because it showed how families are becoming victims of the war and young boys are being brainwashed in hopes of a better future. This really hit home for me because I have a little brother who I am very close to and I could not imagine him being put in the front lines to fight in a war. Another point in the novel that I found extremely moving was the point when Marj was at the airport and there was a large number of young boys leaving Iran in order to avoid becoming future soldiers. I can only imagine how hard it must be to send your child no older than 13 to a completely different place. Overall this is just another example of how these people were victims of their government and had no control. I feel that Marjane did an excellent job giving us a look into the world of Iran behind what we see on TV.