Marilyn Monroe once said, “A girl knows her limits, but a wise girl knows she has none.” In Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, gender impacts the perception Marji has on gender and independence in society. She comes from a very politically liberal family whom strongly believe in the equal justice and independence of both genders. However, in Iran in the 1980’s, wanting equal independence for both men and women was not a very valued opinion among the government. As a child, Marji has morals in which she believes will guide her through her life. Although, as she gets older, she begins to question those morals and the lines between what she believes is right and wrong begin to blur. Marji is fortunate to grow up with both genders that strongly believe
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Because of these influences, Marji is able to grow and learn to be herself and have her own voice.
Throughout Persepolis, Satrapi explores many themes surrounding feminism and is able to break down female stereotypes within to book. The Western and Iranian women are depicted as unique but also as rebellious. Showing both sides of these women helps one another in the fight to reach a common goal. The two main female roles in Marji’s life are her mother and grandmother. Both of these influences strongly represent the importance of female independence in Marji’s life as she grows up. As a child, Marji is enchanted with how her grandmother holds herself together with independence and dignity. Her grandmother encourages her in her pursuit of happiness, independence and justice for the people of Iran. This also encourages Marji to act without her sense of integrity which at times gets her into trouble. For the most part, Marji confides in and seeks guidance from her grandmother in all she does. For instance, when Marji is a child she believes that she will be the next prophet and only her grandmother knows. “Like all my predecessors I had my book… Only my grandmother knew about my …show more content…
They are both politically liberal men who support the education and rights of woman. This helps influence Marji into wanting what is right for the women of Iran. Although the same cannot be said for Iranian men as a whole because they are seen as aggressive and cocky. Marji’s friend Farnaz states, “From men’s point of view…their dicks are irresistible” (334). The Iranian men see themselves as the superiors of women and believe that is is the duty of women to obey their every need without complaints or questions. In the world of men, women have no place among power and independence. While Marji and her father were on their way home, Marji’s mother ran to the car crying for Ebi and said, “They insulted me. They said that women like me should be pushed up against a wall and fucked. And then thrown in the garbage” (74). With men around, the women have no rights and are left defenseless against the arrogant men. Women are both portrayed and used as tools. For instance, women are used as a form of propaganda to bribe young boys to join the war. Marji and her mother see Mrs. Nasrine feeling down and ask her what is wrong. She begins to talk about her son who has joined the war and how he was bribed into joining, “They told him that in paradise there will be plenty of food, woman and houses made of gold and diamonds.” Marji’s mother asks, “Women?”
Because of these influences, Marji is able to grow and learn to be herself and have her own voice.
Throughout Persepolis, Satrapi explores many themes surrounding feminism and is able to break down female stereotypes within to book. The Western and Iranian women are depicted as unique but also as rebellious. Showing both sides of these women helps one another in the fight to reach a common goal. The two main female roles in Marji’s life are her mother and grandmother. Both of these influences strongly represent the importance of female independence in Marji’s life as she grows up. As a child, Marji is enchanted with how her grandmother holds herself together with independence and dignity. Her grandmother encourages her in her pursuit of happiness, independence and justice for the people of Iran. This also encourages Marji to act without her sense of integrity which at times gets her into trouble. For the most part, Marji confides in and seeks guidance from her grandmother in all she does. For instance, when Marji is a child she believes that she will be the next prophet and only her grandmother knows. “Like all my predecessors I had my book… Only my grandmother knew about my …show more content…
They are both politically liberal men who support the education and rights of woman. This helps influence Marji into wanting what is right for the women of Iran. Although the same cannot be said for Iranian men as a whole because they are seen as aggressive and cocky. Marji’s friend Farnaz states, “From men’s point of view…their dicks are irresistible” (334). The Iranian men see themselves as the superiors of women and believe that is is the duty of women to obey their every need without complaints or questions. In the world of men, women have no place among power and independence. While Marji and her father were on their way home, Marji’s mother ran to the car crying for Ebi and said, “They insulted me. They said that women like me should be pushed up against a wall and fucked. And then thrown in the garbage” (74). With men around, the women have no rights and are left defenseless against the arrogant men. Women are both portrayed and used as tools. For instance, women are used as a form of propaganda to bribe young boys to join the war. Marji and her mother see Mrs. Nasrine feeling down and ask her what is wrong. She begins to talk about her son who has joined the war and how he was bribed into joining, “They told him that in paradise there will be plenty of food, woman and houses made of gold and diamonds.” Marji’s mother asks, “Women?”