Analysis Of The Graphic Novel Persepolis

Every so often in a person’s life he or she question the society in which they live. In the graphic novel Persepolis the narrator, writer, and main character, Marjane Satrapi, grows up in a very volatile Iran where many societal problems arise. At a young age and throughout her early life Marji finds herself questioning why social classes were as definitive as they were, why her parents were not as patriotic as she, and why many of the people she knows and loves were going to prison for their beliefs. Marji showed her disdain for her society by being a rebel. Marji is a rebel in school, as a teenager. Her rebellion evolves throughout the book.
Marji’s unhappiness with the society she is a part of is portrayed by her becoming a rebel in school. …show more content…
After the cultural revolution in Iran when the Islamic leaders take power, they order all images of the former Shah to be removed. Marji’s question of why the teacher is having the students rip out the pictures of the Shah shows her becoming more mature and portrays her understanding of the hypocritical teachings of her school. Marji says “But she was the one who told us that the Shah was chosen by god” (Satrapi 44). This realization of hypocrisy along with her confused facial expression depicted in the panel shows that she recognizes the problems with her education even at such a young age. Later in her life she finds herself becoming more rebellious. When the children are required to mourn the dead at school Marji soon starts to ridicule the ceremonies. Marji’s mocking of the tradition portrays her defiance to the social norms. Marji and the other children in her school mock martyrs and the revolution’s anniversary. These actions are a way …show more content…
Being a young adult Marji is very creative in her methods to stick it to the man. Marji 's affinity for western music is not only a teenage way of growing up but a revolt against the Islamic and anti-western rules of the leaders of Iran. Marji must purchase the tape she listens to on the black market. Along with these illegal actions Marji also mentions enjoying the song “Kids in America”. This music is not only illegal but extremely disapproved of. Marji listening to this portrays her as having her own values, separate from the society in which she lives. With these different values she is deciding to make her own decisions even if they contradict the mainstream beliefs of the people around her. The way marji dresses is also a way for marji to show her dislike of the Iranian leaders and express her own political ideologies. Marji’s outfits are anything but what many in her society would deem as appropriate. Marji wears tight jeans, jean jackets, Nike sneakers, a Michael Jackson pin, and she also shows her hair. Her wearing these symbols of decadence portray her a strong in her beliefs. Even while she has the chance of being arrested she wears them proudly. As a teenager Marji has beliefs that are growing strong. These beliefs started in childhood with the influence of her