Often, when people hear the words “Hero”, they refer to comic superheroes such as Superman, Spider-Man, and many more. It is what we’re often exposed to during our childhood, and we make connections with such comic figures as heroes. However, according to Google, the word hero is defined as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Though the definition applies for comic superheroes, it also applies to many other figures and varies through different perspectives and ideologies.

Heroes, though courageous, don’t always have to defeat or overthrow their opposition to be considered and seen as one. Similar to how the people who were participating in the resistance against the Shah Monarchy. Just like Siamak Jari and Mohsen Shakiba in the book, Persepolis. In page 47, they were shown as political prisoners who have finally been liberated. Throughout page 47-53, they were describing the pain and suffering they had to endure, and eventually survive, when they were being imprisoned, to Marji and her parents. Yet, through all the misery, they are still willing to stand for themselves and retaliate against the Shah Monarchy. They continued to refuse to bow down to the Shah whom they saw as a Non-colonial puppet. Such persistence can often be viewed as acts of heroism, particularly to those individuals who have similar opinions and views.

Unfortunately, not all people who are seen as heroes survive. Many of them brave figures sacrifice their lives, for the benefits of others who aren’t able to voice their opinions. It is even possible to have different perspectives on a specific individual. Pardisse Entezami’s dad, who has died as a fighter pilot, and didn’t return from the bombing of Baghdad on page 86 of the book, Persepolis. It is illustrated that, though Marji thought of Pardisse’s father as a “genuine hero” for his actions, Pardisse replied with “I wish he were alive and in jail rather than dead and a hero”, (Persepolis, Page 86) which showed that Pardisse’s view of heroism is different from Marji’s perspective. Another crucial evidence would be the Martyrs who have sacrificed their lives. In page 100-103, Marji and her parents were being told the stories of kids from poor areas being taken and recruited to the front line of the Iran military by Shahab, who was Marji’s cousin and was also deployed to the front. (Persepolis, Page 101) Shahab told them that those kids who are influenced and manipulated into the military often do not make it back alive. This can be seen as an act of heroism, especially with Satrapi’s choice of illustration, of how she decided the put the panel of the kids dying in an explosion, right above the panel where Marji and other kids are having fun at parties. It shows that the kids who are sacrificing their lives just so the kids illustrated under their panel can enjoy their lives while partying. This act of sacrificing their lives for the benefit of others can often be seen as an act of heroism.