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Persepolis brings out a lot of important issues. It deals with issues found in many other stories such as family and childhood, but I think that for American readers, Islam is the most important issue. This story gives a lot of background on Iran and how Islam changed within that country as the political power shifted. It shows how religion might have become politicized, and that has dramatically affected the way that Islam is perceived by America.
It seems to me that Persepolis deals with a few major issues such as war, change and childhood. War is clearly dealt with in the panels about the fighters bombing Iraq and sirens going off about bombing raids. War is also shown when talking about the changing regimes; for example, when they talk about the shah being pulled from power. When the fundamentalists start forcing women to wear the veil and the changes apparent in the schools with regime changes go to show how quickly changes can come about. The entire book deals with the concept of childhood. It shows how easily she was influenced by what she read, overheard, and was told by friends and family. The panels where she banishes God from her life and when she smokes a cigarette, thereby becoming a woman ,are especially pivotal moments in her childhood.
I definitely feel like Islam is the major issue for American readers. We are all familiar with the ideas of social class, growing up, and trying to fit in. These are universal issues for children. Islam is not something most Americans are exposed to in depth.
I definitely feel like Islam is the major issue for American readers. We are all familiar with the ideas of social class, growing up, and trying to fit in. These are universal issues for children. Islam is not something most Americans are exposed to in depth.
War is a major issue in Persepolis. There is the war with Iraq, the civil war, and the war between Marji and her parents. The war with Iraq is important showing how Iran was physically destroyed by bombings. The Islamic Revolution results in a civil war that tears the country apart. Iranians protesting the government are murdered by a religous dictator. Finally, the war between Marji and her Parents damages the family's relationship. War will ultimately ruin everything. -Taylor Kobe
I agree that Islam is an important issue in the story. I think that the book does a good job of showing how not all Islamics are extremists. In post 9/11 America, it is necessary to recognize that Iranians are similar to Americans. They go to school, have loving families, and most importantly are people too. -Taylor Kobe
The issue of government seems to be important in the book. There is problem of who to rule, whom to rule ,and how to rule. There were different fashion of people that wanted the government power in the book. Government should not be impose on people, but should be the choice of people through a true and a fair election called democracy.
Persepolis talks about the different fashion trends, how they affect society. The influence of the western world is frowned upon. A woman should be veiled so she doesn't "excite" the men with her hair. No responsibility given to the man-it is the womans job to keep that in check.
I also beleive that the government is an important issue. I believe that goverments should not be imposed onto someone. But I also believe there are more issues than the goverment. War and Isalam seem to be equally important. Americans in general don't know much about islam, only what they here now with Iraq. This book explains more about their culture than anything you can hear on the news.
Persipolis portrayed the importance of equal social classes. This novel gives you a first hand story of a girl growing up in an unequal society. A section of the story was interesting because she pointed out how they would recruit children that were poor or under educate. By telling young boys that if they were apart of this regime they would be accepted in a superior way of life.
In response to Matt- The war was clearly depicted and the drawings were actually quite graphic when thinking from a childs perspective. The man chopped in all of the different pieces. Or how about the frame that showed the history of Iran and the different people that had marched through their nation. -Kathi McMahon
in response to Taylor Kobe It is importaint that you mentioned the relatioship between marji and her parents. The fact that she had an oppertunity to wear the clothes she wanted to was an importaint point in the story.
I agree that growing up is an important issue throughout Persepolis. Marji tries to understand the adult world as a young child. She takes what her parents say and tries to talk about it at school and with her friends. She also reads to find out about the Revolution. Marji is determined to become an adult. I think it is important for her to start maturing, but on the other hand, she needs to enjoy being a kid. -Taylor Kobe
in response to mark- I agree with marks analyze of what is being talked about. The book is mainly broken up into 4 parts; religion, family, childhood, and political shifts.
Dave Kjonaas, in response to Kristy: I agree with Kristy. This book definitely shows the importance of social classes in Iran. The society was very unequal. It was sad how on pages 99-101, all the boys were conned into believing they would go to heaven where there are many virgin girls awaiting them if they "were lucky enough" to be killed in the war. That would have been sad for the parents of these poor young boys. Very unfair to them.
The book raises many issues. Family, childhood, and the book. The first, family in the book portray's affection and love toward one another. For instance, how the uncle told stories to the girl and the girl love him. The second, the girl show her life of her childhood in two years that was really important and hard for her. Her childhood was revolve around the revolution making her life difficult. The third is the book itself. It shows us the history of Iran and Iranians. How they are have to wear veils.
The issues that were important to Persepolis were social classes and revolution. The author talks about why her maid cannot eat with them (page 7) or why the maid cannot pursue a relationship with the neighbor (page 37). Further, the revolution of Iran is the main issue since everything in the novel is based around it. Because of the revolution the veil is made mandatory (page 3), rex cinema hall was burned (page 45) and many people were sent to jail or killed.
In response to Matt Romeberg I too think that war was a major issue or theme throughout the entire book. Marji is constantly in battles herself. In many occasions she is battling her parents, teachers, God, her friends, and at times herself.
Yes, the book is about war. It is about the war with Iraq. But you are right about it also being about the war between Marji and her parents. That sometimes might go unoticed because of the focus on the bigger issues. I do think that there were disputes between her and her parents but I wouldn't necessarily call it a war. She does rebel but that is it. The conflicts between her and her parents do not destroy their relationship. In the end you can see that because it was hard for them to let her go.
I think there are a lot of issues that are important in this book, may some are more important then others. Religion plays a big role for Marjane when she is trying to learn what is happening around her, and why. Gender issues are big here; the separation of males and females early in the book after the veil is introduced. It then becomes more specific when the way females act or what they say or don't say plays into their gender roles. Loyalty to your family is displayed as well but I don't know that it plays an important role. The type of government in place, who is ruling, who has rules in the past and how has the current ruler come into play. Iran has been through so many political changes in such a short period of time, I can understand why there would be kaos. Even age plays into these issues, you can see the older generations vs. the younger generations.
In addition to Kristy's post... Persepolis definitely showed a lack of equality. It happens between men and women, islamic religious fanatics vs radical secularists, and social classes.
This comic book biography unfolds a history of the removal of the Shah’s government, the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating, and substantial consequences of the battles between Iran and Iraq. Persepolis demonstrates very demoralizing events that Satrapi witnessed from ages six to fourteen. There are as many as ten different stories within the book itself. The author; Marjane Satrapi is very famous for her unique and personal approach at autobiographical writing.
22 comments:
Persepolis brings out a lot of important issues. It deals with issues found in many other stories such as family and childhood, but I think that for American readers, Islam is the most important issue. This story gives a lot of background on Iran and how Islam changed within that country as the political power shifted. It shows how religion might have become politicized, and that has dramatically affected the way that Islam is perceived by America.
It seems to me that Persepolis deals with a few major issues such as war, change and childhood. War is clearly dealt with in the panels about the fighters bombing Iraq and sirens going off about bombing raids. War is also shown when talking about the changing regimes; for example, when they talk about the shah being pulled from power. When the fundamentalists start forcing women to wear the veil and the changes apparent in the schools with regime changes go to show how quickly changes can come about. The entire book deals with the concept of childhood. It shows how easily she was influenced by what she read, overheard, and was told by friends and family. The panels where she banishes God from her life and when she smokes a cigarette, thereby becoming a woman ,are especially pivotal moments in her childhood.
In response to Mark
I definitely feel like Islam is the major issue for American readers. We are all familiar with the ideas of social class, growing up, and trying to fit in. These are universal issues for children. Islam is not something most Americans are exposed to in depth.
In response to Mark
I definitely feel like Islam is the major issue for American readers. We are all familiar with the ideas of social class, growing up, and trying to fit in. These are universal issues for children. Islam is not something most Americans are exposed to in depth.
War is a major issue in Persepolis. There is the war with Iraq, the civil war, and the war between Marji and her parents. The war with Iraq is important showing how Iran was physically destroyed by bombings. The Islamic Revolution results in a civil war that tears the country apart. Iranians protesting the government are murdered by a religous dictator. Finally, the war between Marji and her Parents damages the family's relationship. War will ultimately ruin everything.
-Taylor Kobe
to Mark,
I agree that Islam is an important issue in the story. I think that the book does a good job of showing how not all Islamics are extremists. In post 9/11 America, it is necessary to recognize that Iranians are similar to Americans. They go to school, have loving families, and most importantly are people too.
-Taylor Kobe
The issue of government seems to be important in the book. There is problem of who to rule, whom to rule ,and how to rule. There were different fashion of people that wanted the government power in the book. Government should not be impose on people, but should be the choice of people through a true and a fair election called democracy.
Persepolis talks about the different fashion trends, how they affect society. The influence of the western world is frowned upon. A woman should be veiled so she doesn't "excite" the men with her hair. No responsibility given to the man-it is the womans job to keep that in check.
Trent
in response to wasola
I also beleive that the government is an important issue. I believe that goverments should not be imposed onto someone. But I also believe there are more issues than the goverment. War and Isalam seem to be equally important. Americans in general don't know much about islam, only what they here now with Iraq. This book explains more about their culture than anything you can hear on the news.
Persipolis portrayed the importance of equal social classes. This novel gives you a first hand story of a girl growing up in an unequal society. A section of the story was interesting because she pointed out how they would recruit children that were poor or under educate. By telling young boys that if they were apart of this regime they would be accepted in a superior way of life.
In response to Matt-
The war was clearly depicted and the drawings were actually quite graphic when thinking from a childs perspective. The man chopped in all of the different pieces. Or how about the frame that showed the history of Iran and the different people that had marched through their nation.
-Kathi McMahon
in response to Taylor Kobe
It is importaint that you mentioned the relatioship between marji and her parents. The fact that she had an oppertunity to wear the clothes she wanted to was an importaint point in the story.
to Matt
I agree that growing up is an important issue throughout Persepolis. Marji
tries to understand the adult world as a young child. She takes what her
parents say and tries to talk about it at school and with her friends. She
also reads to find out about the Revolution. Marji is determined to become
an adult. I think it is important for her to start maturing, but on the
other hand, she needs to enjoy being a kid.
-Taylor Kobe
in response to mark-
I agree with marks analyze of what is being talked about. The book is mainly broken up into 4 parts; religion, family, childhood, and political shifts.
Dave Kjonaas, in response to Kristy:
I agree with Kristy. This book definitely shows the importance of social classes in Iran. The society was very unequal. It was sad how on pages 99-101, all the boys were conned into believing they would go to heaven where there are many virgin girls awaiting them if they "were lucky enough" to be killed in the war. That would have been sad for the parents of these poor young boys. Very unfair to them.
John Vu,
The book raises many issues. Family, childhood, and the book. The first, family in the book portray's affection and love toward one another. For instance, how the uncle told stories to the girl and the girl love him. The second, the girl show her life of her childhood in two years that was really important and hard for her. Her childhood was revolve around the revolution making her life difficult. The third is the book itself. It shows us the history of Iran and Iranians. How they are have to wear veils.
The issues that were important to Persepolis were social classes and revolution. The author talks about why her maid cannot eat with them (page 7) or why the maid cannot pursue a relationship with the neighbor (page 37). Further, the revolution of Iran is the main issue since everything in the novel is based around it. Because of the revolution the veil is made mandatory (page 3), rex cinema hall was burned (page 45) and many people were sent to jail or killed.
In response to Matt Romeberg
I too think that war was a major issue or theme throughout the entire book. Marji is constantly in battles herself. In many occasions she is battling her parents, teachers, God, her friends, and at times herself.
In response to Taylor
Yes, the book is about war. It is about the war with Iraq. But you are right about it also being about the war between Marji and her parents. That sometimes might go unoticed because of the focus on the bigger issues. I do think that there were disputes between her and her parents but I wouldn't necessarily call it a war. She does rebel but that is it. The conflicts between her and her parents do not destroy their relationship. In the end you can see that because it was hard for them to let her go.
I think there are a lot of issues that are important in this book, may some are more important then others. Religion plays a big role for Marjane when she is trying to learn what is happening around her, and why. Gender issues are big here; the separation of males and females early in the book after the veil is introduced. It then becomes more specific when the way females act or what they say or don't say plays into their gender roles. Loyalty to your family is displayed as well but I don't know that it plays an important role. The type of government in place, who is ruling, who has rules in the past and how has the current ruler come into play. Iran has been through so many political changes in such a short period of time, I can understand why there would be kaos. Even age plays into these issues, you can see the older generations vs. the younger generations.
In addition to Kristy's post...
Persepolis definitely showed a lack of equality. It happens between men and women, islamic religious fanatics vs radical secularists, and social classes.
This comic book biography unfolds a history of the removal of the Shah’s government, the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating, and substantial consequences of the battles between Iran and Iraq. Persepolis demonstrates very demoralizing events that Satrapi witnessed from ages six to fourteen. There are as many as ten different stories within the book itself. The author; Marjane Satrapi is very famous for her unique and personal approach at autobiographical writing.
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