The repression and war in Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

The autobiographical novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, depicts the life altering experiences she encounters from growing up during the Iranian revolution and war. Satrapi’s naive and minimalistic perception of war drastically changes as she becomes an adult, by witnessing tragedies and death of loved ones members and close friends all through the novel. Additionally, she becomes more coherent and understanding of the social construct of Iran. By means of Satrapi’s exposure to western culture and education, she grows up becoming much more rebellious towards the Iranian government and her parents. Satrapi’s Persepolis, represents how the innocence of a youngster can be tarnished as a outcome of life altering experiences such as the Iranian war, these memories influence the later portion of her life as she progressively develops a deeper understanding of war and the Iranian society.

Dealing with the loss of individuals close to her, Satrapi understands that warfare will only bring upon darkness and pain. To clarify, at a young age she suffers the loss of her beloved uncle Anoosh, which causes an immense amount of agony in her life, “And so I was lost, without any bearings what could be worse than that?” (Satrapi, 71). Satrapi conveys her feelings as if she is physically and emotionally lost by illustrating herself floating in space to oblivion. Nevertheless, later on she also loses her close pal Neda from a bomb attack, initially Satrapi is heartbroken, but from preceding experiences she finds a way to deal with the devastating loss.

“After the death of Neda Baba-Levy, my life took a new turn. In 1984, I was fourteen and a rebel. Nothing at all scared me anymore” (Satrapi, 143). Via this quote she expresses her fearless mentality towards the death of her buddies and family members. In contrast to a younger Satrapi, she copes with the passing of loved ones in a a lot more mature manner.

Moreover, Satrapi develops a thorough understanding of the war as she sympathizes with the individuals who have been affected by it. This relates to Mali’s family members considering that they lost their home and all their belongings from a missile attack on their hometown. For the duration of Satrapi and Mali’s family check out to the supermarket, they hear prejudice remarks towards southern refuges. “Anyways, as every person knows Southern girls are all whore”(Satrapi,93). These comments are specially offensive towards Mali’s household, considering that they have not too long ago displaced from their houses and are in search of refuge themselves. From this expertise, she empathizes with Mali’s loved ones by saying “I felt ashamed for myself and felt so sorry for her” (Satrapi, 93). This encounter tends to make her comprehend the sorrow that emulates from the war, as Mali’s loved ones has lost every little thing due to the bombing and are now subjects of prejudice remarks from her personal people. Consequently, she realizes the challenges and discriminatory remarks refugees of war need to endure.

In addition, young Satrapi does not completely comprehend the notion of war and the bloodshed that comes with it, for example she tends to make bold statements on how she will defend her nation from the enemies. “The second invasion in 1400 years! My Blood ¬¬was Boiling. I was ready to defend my country against these Arabs who kept attacking us”(Satrapi,79). From the context of the quote, she expresses her feelings by passionately saying that she is ready to fight the adversaries of war. Nonetheless, at this age she does not completely comprehend the mental strain and physical strength required to battle in the war.

Later on, her maid, Mrs.Nasrine, explains how her fourteen year old son is becoming brainwashed by his college into joining the military. They persuade him by providing him a plastic golden crucial, which symbolizes passing into heaven. Mrs.Nasrine also states that the college told her son, “If they went to the war and have been fortunate enough to die, this important would get them into heaven”(Satrapi,99). Satrapi sympathizes with her maid, because she understands how mentally draining losing someone close to you can be.

In addition, she illustrates a white essential to show how the young children initially feel, that it will bring them to a greater afterlife. Later in the novel, she portrays a black essential alternatively, to represent the youngsters comprehending the darkness and traumatizing effects of war. Juxtaposing this situation to her younger self, she would have been supportive towards this thought. Because, at a younger age she has minimal notion of war and how death and heartbreak, adhere to it.

All through the novel, Satrapi’s view and understanding of the Iranian society grows far more profound. For instance, when Satrapi and her friends are separated from every single other due to the cultural revolution, she follows it up by saying, “And that was that” (Satrapi,4). This quote displays how she does not contemplate or care about the changes the Iranian regime tends to make. Satrapi, also illustrates herself with a nonchalant shrug to further show how she does not ruminate with the alterations. Moreover, it represents how she does not have her personal concepts or opinions towards political matters.

As Satrapi comes to age, she learns that people were politically repressed and tortured in prison. To elaborate, she meets Siamaka Jari who explains to her, what his buddy Ahmadi went by way of in jail, “Ahmadi was assassinated. As a member of the Guerillas, he suffered hell. He always had cyanide on him in case he was arrested, but he was taken by surprise and

however he by no means had the possibility to use it…so he suffered the worse torture”(Satrapi,51). At first, Satrapi misinterprets the significance of the message, by saying “Those stories had offered me new concepts for games” (Satrapi, 53). This shows how she initially does not realize the

meaning of the story, nevertheless later she reflects on this and comes to the conclusion, “Back at house that evening, I had the diabolical feeling of power… But it didn’t final. I was overwhelmed.”(Satrapi, 53)This quote implies how she understands that torture is not something to joke about, as people are getting killed by cruelty. Also, it shows that Satrapi understands the harsh tactics that the government is employing, to suppress individuals who do not agree with their political views.

From a young age, Satrapi has the luxury of getting able to understand about western culture through books, music, and style. Nonetheless, soon after the Iran revolution, western culture is forbidden, and the Iranian girls is forced to put on Veils and significantly less revealing clothing. In the quote, “I place my 1983 Nikes on… And my denim jacket with the Michael Jackson button, and of course, my headscarf”(Satapi,131). Satrapi, intentionally states, she will place her headscarf on at the finish, to show how unimportant it is to her compared to the other clothing. By wearing Nike footwear and a jean jacket, it goes against the Iranian regime, because they are attempting to dispose of western culture in their country.

Due to her understanding in western politics, she has a sturdy sense of freedom. In a subtle way throughout the novel, she depicts herself wearing the veil not completely covering her hair. This shows how Satrapi is trying to retain her freedom, even although she might be risking her life. In the quote, “Go on get in the auto we’re taking you to the committee” (Satrapi,133). This quote further demonstrates how she is rebelling against the law so that she can have freedom in her life.

Contrasting her rebellious actions to her younger self, there is a prominent alter. For example, when she insist on going to the demonstration, her parent deny her and say, “You can participate later on” (Satrapi,17). After hearing this, she begs to her parent but to no prevail, at this age she is not as rebellious and gives up on attending the demonstration. In contrast, as Satrapi gets older she does not abide by her parents rule and acts in defiance to their wishes. She tells her maid “Tomorrow we are going to demonstrate” (Satrapi, 38). Even even though, she is not allowed to go to the rally she does so anyways. Satrapi also draws herself with a determined face to show how not even her parents guidelines will stop her. These scenarios indicate the rebellious nature she develops towards her parents and the Iranian regime.

Satrapi’s Persepolis, explains the life altering experiences she confronts from increasing up for the duration of the Iranian war and revolution. Her perception of war and death shifts tremendously, from witnessing the tragic death of friends and loved ones members. Additionally, her perception of the Iranian society deviates from her initial understanding as a youth. Satrapi’s exposure to western influence makes far more rebellious towards the Iranian government and her parents. The novel Persepolis, epitomizes how childhood memories of the Iranian war can greatly effect a person’s way of life.