Satrapi's Persepolis

Satrapi is unable to call any place but Iran home. A home to most people, including Satrapi, is a place where one is born and raised. With that said, both Austria and France simply cannot compare to Iran. This is because no matter how long Satrapi lives in either country, or how much she studies and learns about the cultures, she will never have the same memories or experiences that a native has. Through both the interviews with Bookslut and Asia Society, as well as her graphic novel Persepolis, it becomes clear that Satrapi is always able to find comfort in Iran because it is the place that she has been connected to ever since she was born, despite the wars and the absurd regime. This deeply ingrained relationship that Satrapi has with Iran …show more content…
She has a difficult time assimilating into the society because the culture is too different and it challenges the values she grew up with. In France, however, Satrapi is a lot more at ease and undeniably loves France. She nevertheless does not feel at home because France lacks the nostalgia and the same kind of connection that she has with Iran. Satrapi does not feel at home in Austria because the culture is drastically different from Iran. Back in Iran, the people are constantly worried about the wars and the safety of their families, whereas in Austria, the people around her are concerned about trivial things such as scented pens or the color of lipstick. Evidently, Austria is a country with a lot more leisure and independency. Due to this, the Marjane character in the novel finds it hard to connect with and relate to others. For example, when Marjane first meets Shirin and hears about her frivolous concerns, Marjane thinks to herself, “What a traitor! While people were dying in our country, she was …show more content…
Unlike Austria, Satrapi admires France and its beauty, and truly embraces French culture. She has a profound knowledge of French culture and appreciates every little bit of it. There is no doubt that Satrapi feels connected and affectionate to France. However, Satrapi nonetheless hesitates to call France home because it does not meet her criteria for what she defines to be a home. What differentiates France from Iran is the relationship that Satrapi has with each of the countries. In an interview, Satrapi states that if she were a man she “might say that Iran is [her] mother and France is [her] wife” (Satrapi, “Interview with” Bookslut). This is an interesting yet powerful way of portraying the relationship Satrapi has with each country. It becomes clear that the relationship Satrapi has with Iran is much stronger because it has a firmer foundation that dates back to when she was born. Iran is the place where she grew up, where she learned her first words, and where she can constantly look back and reminiscence key events in her life. France lacks the same kind of history that Satrapi has with Iran. Satrapi cannot abandon Iran because it is like her mother. It is the country that gave birth to her and made her the person she is today. Satrapi can cut ties with France, on the other hand, whenever she wants because it is like her wife. She may cherish the times she’s spent in France