“The Role of Interpretative Communities in Remembering and Learning” By Farhat Shahzad exemplifies the immense effect that communities can have on the way individuals take in and remember information. I usually try my best to interpret information based on what I believe in, and I would not label my self as a person who is influenced or swayed by the opinion of others. When reading Farhats research I was taken back because I had never really considered where my beliefs come from. One of the essays composed by a twenty-one year old first generation female immigrant from China caught my eye. She wrote, “Most of the information I have in relation to this war mainly comes from my father and grandfather’s discussions”(pg.307). Just a few days before reading Farhat’s essay I had finished “Persepolis” By Marjane Satrapi, which could very well be the reason as to why I was drawn to this sentence. Persepolis is a graphic novel that follows the life of a young woman living in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. She struggles to understand the war but is eventually enlightened by the teachings of her parents; whose beliefs influence her throughout the rest of the comic. I found it fascinating that these women were from two completely different cultures yet both influenced by the opinions of their parents. When I took the time to think about what I value and believe in I realized that my parents influence the majority of my beliefs, similar to the two women I read about. Their memories of the two historical events are shaped by the memories of their community; in this case their family. I initially struggled to comprehend the concepts of Farhats essay but connecting it to Persepolis helped solidify my understanding on the role of interpretative communities in remembering historical events. Both texts have taught me a lot about myself and have led me to seriously think about what I am influenced by. In my opinion Persepolis is a perfect example that supports Farhats findings as to how our beliefs are influenced by the people and communities around us.