My reading of this graphic novel was in no manner spread out longer that it had to be, I really did not spend too much of my time trying to discern the symbolism hidden in the words of this very real memoir. So many cultures have been passed on through time through the ever entertaining and informative story. In our time, as well as those past, stories provided the reader with either a moral to learn, or a lesson to interpret to their own designs; these usually directly correlate to one another. Persepolis is told in such a manner where the reader learns both important life lessons, and morals that will attempt to challenge us throughout life. The author, Marjane Satrapi, has told her story in a manner that expresses the importance of stories to us today.
In my personal opinion, life would be much like the descriptions of Leo Tolstoy, long winded, but still helpful, if we did not have stories, or things with which to enhance our narratives with. It holds with me that the world would be a monotonous one if we did not have the variety that stories of others offer to our senses. In many senses, all of today's holy books a either based off of, or are stories. One can look at, for example, the story of Noah's Arc. The fact that it is so fantastical makes it difficult in the extreme for me to believe, but it gives the reader a sense of wonder that good can be done, but extremely glorified. Stories are how so many of today's values and morals are passes to one another. They are the basis for almost everything.
I can look today, as I browse the bookshelves of Barnes & Noble, for a story, of any nature I choose, with extreme ease. I could look at memoirs, or I could look into those that distinctly fall under the category of stories that are also just as true as any memoir. Such examples of, for lack of a better word, "awesomeness", are The Maus graphic novels, and this one as well. These are the books that most influence people with their lessons and knowledge, and not because they have pictures, but because they have so artfully hones that great art which is story telling. Not only do the authors incorporate pictures, but they weave and make a story out of their words to attract the reader, and not detract from the truth of the story.
In Persepolis, we see the narrator, Marji, weave her own story with those of others, not to a point where her story is lost, but to actually enhance and even make more sense of her own. We can look at the sorrowful tale of Marji's uncle Anoosh; his employment with his uncle, who was a professed Communist, to the bitter divorce he went through with his Russian wife. Anoosh's story helps let the reader know not only of Marji's story, but of the hardships that the people of her nation must suffer such a regime. Marji had found a hero in her uncle Anoosh, and so we too must learn how to find heroes in our literary genius's.
15 History
Not too many people above the age of 18 would have any courage to pick this book up; too many of them have the mutual fear that because it is illustrated, there is no value in the content. I pity those who are so sadly mistaken. The picture of this girls life, one that she so bravely painted of herself, helps bring to light to the reader the importance of ones own history. I know it to be true that almost everyone has at one time, had the caprice to write either a memoir or an autobiography of themselves, and only a few really have the capabilities to do so with success. (Not meant as an offense, just my own interpretation of what I've been presented).
Marjane, in her riveting story of preservation of family and of hope, tells me, and I am sure many other readers, the importance of acknowledging ones past, as well as looking forward to ones future. In every step in life that we take, we move towards a more complete image of our own identities, and in doing so, we gain a sort of confidence in ourselves not to be associated with vanity. A similar manner works as well for ones family, and what they have to offer to the collective story of your life. Her story would not exist without that of her family's to encourage her along through birth into the "real" world. Without the background of her family before her, there would be, really, no basis to the story that she provides, in a sense. All that I am trying to say is that you are nothing without your family, as well as their love and support. (Or back-handing).
From all the family members that Marji surrounds herself with in the novel, we can assume that not only do they provide a base for which Marji's own life story is supported, but also help provide a reader with a special glimpse into the "heart" of the author. Satrapi offers us a look into the inmost thoughts and feelings of her then young mind, and without the stories that her various family members have to offer, her story would be purposeless in relating the tale of the Islamic Revolution on its own.
(yes, I know I ramble)
8 I Desire Freedom versus Captivity
In this novel, we see the government of Marji's people take advantage of them in so many ways. One such sad instance is that the government seeks to do so under the people's weakest point, which is their religion. Not to "Dis" religion, but it has provided the basis for so many debates, conflicts, and the like across the world. Any way, we see an example of "captivity", so to speak, when it was made mandatory for women to ware veils to hide their too tempting hair. Such is not the literal definition of the word, but it reduces the freedom of those who are under such an edict, which is a form of captivity.
In Persepolis, we also pay witness to the captivity that is dished out in the home. Parents are equal to gods in the eyes of children, unless they were wise enough to straighten out in that sense, and they hold very powerful sway over their children. (May I add that it is no necessarily from respect that we do so, just the fear of having to do our own laundry!). In this manner, we see captivity every day.
Also in the story, we see the true kind, that which includes prisons and death. Wee hear of the story of Marji's grandfather, and how he was taken to prison. Also, the story of Marji's great uncle, Ferydoon, and his imprisonment and later his execution. All in all, the book provides us with a pretty accurate look into the various types of captivity and freedom.
In the book, we see Marji begging for tokens from her parents travel abroad, to Turkey. Hers is a rebelliousness that was encouraged by her parents, and her own way of freedom through defying the government with smuggled contraband. We see others simply refuse to ware the veil, which in many senses stifled the freedom of women. They partied too, even though it was a very dangerous practice at the time.
Sometimes I am graced with the most sensible execution of English grammar, and at others I fail to even spell the simplest of words correctly. I hope my blog provides for you a sense of completeness, and that along with informing, that you too should be entertained.
In Persepolis, we also pay witness to the captivity that is dished out in the home. Parents are equal to gods in the eyes of children, unless they were wise enough to straighten out in that sense, and they hold very powerful sway over their children. (May I add that it is no necessarily from respect that we do so, just the fear of having to do our own laundry!). In this manner, we see captivity every day.
Also in the story, we see the true kind, that which includes prisons and death. Wee hear of the story of Marji's grandfather, and how he was taken to prison. Also, the story of Marji's great uncle, Ferydoon, and his imprisonment and later his execution. All in all, the book provides us with a pretty accurate look into the various types of captivity and freedom.
In the book, we see Marji begging for tokens from her parents travel abroad, to Turkey. Hers is a rebelliousness that was encouraged by her parents, and her own way of freedom through defying the government with smuggled contraband. We see others simply refuse to ware the veil, which in many senses stifled the freedom of women. They partied too, even though it was a very dangerous practice at the time.
Sometimes I am graced with the most sensible execution of English grammar, and at others I fail to even spell the simplest of words correctly. I hope my blog provides for you a sense of completeness, and that along with informing, that you too should be entertained.
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