Persepolis And Nervous Conditions: Character Analysis

Two female characters, Marji from Persepolis, and Tambu from Nervous Conditions, go through struggles to overcome entrapment and ultimately escape. Throughout these two novels, Marji and Tambu both embody most of the ten characteristics of an archetypal female hero. Marji and Tambu both experience gender expectations, become an outcast, and go on a journey to create a better life. Also, in the beginning of both novels, Marji and Tambu live an ordinary life, then confront gender oppression, decide to act, and finally create a new beginning. Marji, from Persepolis, is forced to go through these experiences because of the circumstances of her society. On the other hand, Tambu, from Nervous Conditions, is able to make a choice on how she wants …show more content…
If one does not follow these expectations, they stand out and soon becomes an outcast. In Persepolis, Marji becomes an outcast when she stops wearing the veil and starts to wear modern clothing that was not supposed to be worn in her society. She knows she is outcasting herself from her world when she admits, “I had already broken the rules once by going to the Demonstration in ‘79. This was the second time” (Satrapi 111). Marji starts to break the rules by ditching school, rebelling against her teachers, and dressing against the law. These actions cause her to be an outcast in her school and society. Similarly, Tambu also becomes an outcast because she gets the opportunity to receive an education which is frowned upon for women. Unless someone is part of a high class family, girls do not usually get the chance to be educated in this time period. Even though Tambu is not of the high social class, her uncle, Babamukuru gives her family opportunities to do what they cannot do. Babamukuru gives Tambu an opportunity when he says, “Tambudzai––must be given the opportunity to do what she can for the family before she goes into her husband’s home” (Dangarembga 77). Society’s expectations involve women staying home and taking care of the husband and children. Tambu goes against these expectations and tries to create a better future for herself.Tambu’s unnatural personality fulfills the outcast trait of the female archetypal …show more content…
One main step of the hero’s journey is to create a new beginning. In Persepolis, Marji’s parents decide it is better for her to move to Austria to stay safe and receive an education there instead of in Iran. This is shown when Marji’s father says, “Your mother and I have decided to send you to Austria” (Satrapi 147). Since Iran is in a war, Marji’s parents thought it would be best if they send Marji away. This move will be the start of Marji’s journey to create a better life. She will be safer in Austria and will be able to express herself in ways she was not able to before. Moving to Austria is forced upon Marji by her parents even though she does not want to leave. However, Tambu has an opportunity to leave and go to Young Ladies of Sacred Heart by her own choice. Tambu’s efforts to exceed past society’s expectations gives her the opportunity she is looking for. This is shown when Babamukuru says to Tambu’s father, “It is Tambu who worked hard for that scholarship” (Dangarembga 246). Tambu gets the opportunity to leave and go to Rhodesia and attend Sacred Heart unlike many other women in her society and family. All her actions and choices led to this better life for herself. Tambu has put in the effort to start a journey for a better life. Marji’s actions help shape her into an archetype, however, her parents were the ones who forced her to have these characteristics of an archetypal hero. On