A couple weeks ago, our Arts Studies class had the privilege of reading a comic style book called Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. In all honesty, this was probably the first piece of writing I enjoyed reading since term 1 had begun. Not only did I like reading it because it was fairly simple to go through, but because I was also able to relate to it.
If you are curious about getting a run down about the book, click here to get a summary of each chapter. I still highly recommend you read the actual book because the pictures with the writing is what really makes the books message get across.
Coming from a Middle Eastern back ground, it was refreshing to read a book about a girl who stood up against the typical North American stereotypes of Middle Eastern women during a time when Iran was being run by the Islamic regime. Marji had to endure war, loss, and times of trial, yet through all of that she maintained a strong independent personality and refused to let anything tear her down. This was seen in the way she revolted against traditional Muslim attire because she did not it fit for her. She should be the example of what people look for in not only a Middle Eastern women, but in all women.
Marjane Satrapi stands for equality, peace and authenticity. That is the reason she wrote the book in the first place. She wanted people to see how things really were in Iran during the time of war from a real persons view. She was tired of people who consumed the media to only see the one “reality,” but several others. The news broadcasters were portraying violence, aggression and suppression, and she wanted to show a different side of it. In doing that, she emphasized that it did not matter that she was woman writing this novel, it just mattered that someone was getting the truth out, and that is what was needed.
She stands for everything that I believe in. She speaks out and she has her own opinion on many controversial issues, and I like that. A lot of books that are written by Middle Eastern women tend to be about their horrible experiences, but the problem is, not many of them solve those issues. Satrapi takes the issues that she lived through, expresses it, and finds solutions from what she just experienced. That should be the model that we take in our lives through times of difficulty and trial. Whether than be gender discrimination, racism or social class problems, a person should take the negative and make a positive. If you have gone through that, do not dwell on your experience, but express them, so others can make use of it.
Marjane Satrapi said in Persepolis, ““Life is too short to be lived badly.” I think this embodies the essence of the story and it has given me a better understanding of what others go through. It has also taught me to appreciate and love what I have been blessed with.
I think it is very important to be inspired by life narratives and to relate to them. The other works that we have disected and read during the first term of ASTU have been relatable (in certain ways). To fully empathise with the narrator and to understand where he or she is coming from, I believe one must be able to relate to them. In ‘What is the What ?’ it is not simple to relate to the story of Achak, but one can attempt to relate to his culture shock and his dissatisfaction with authority figures. Although no one in the class has been through an Ethiopian Refugee Camp, we can relate to his longing for home, etc. The same can be said for Persepolis, with suspicions of government and of the direction one’s country is heading.
This identification with life narratives that you discuss is something that is very important and is one of the most influential factors when reading said life narratives. Of course, we do not read life narratives purely to identify with the narrator. We read to understand, but part of this understanding IS relating.
The point you raise about how your background made you enjoy the fresh approach that Satrapi brings to her graphic novel is intriguing. Although I come from a Western background, I similarly found that Satrapi’s method of analyzing her experiences to be unusual. When I read the autobiography ‘Woman at Point Zero’, by Nawal El Sadaawi, I found it to be an excellent book but she similarly finds her subjugation as a woman problematic for her career, but does not actually improve her situation. However, we must take this idea that women can fix their problems associated with male chauvinism and marginalization themselves as often they do not have the money, power or resources to change their situation. Moreover, the consequences of dissent in many Middle Eastern countries can be catastrophic. This often causes women to fear speaking out against social injustice. Thus while I agree that Satrapi’s work is different as she is able to stand up against regime oppressing her, she is one of the more fortunate and more rare women who are in a position to do so.