In my CAP English lecture, we commenced reading Persepolis, a graphic novel illustrating the childhood experiences of the author, Marjane Satrapi, during the Islamic Revolution. The protagonist, Marji, provides a candid account of the shocking events she witnesses as a 10-year-old. Her straightforwardness and strong opinions can be traced back to her upbringing in an environment shaped by her well-educated and conviction-driven parents.
Marji’s parents, portrayed as intellectually independent and unwavering in their beliefs, set the tone for her strong-willed personality. Her mother’s fearless participation in an anti-veil demonstration, despite the subsequent publication of her photo in an Iranian magazine, exemplifies this resolve. Similarly, her father imparts knowledge about the Persian government, emphasizing the importance of understanding the cause for which one fights.
In a previous blog I discussed how Farhet Shazahd’s article highlighted how social relationships, political orientations, cultural meanings, worldviews, and historical experiences contribute to individual memories and learning strategies. Marji’s parents’ individualism plays a crucial role in shaping her resolute character, enabling her to defy societal norms by wearing “improperly veiled” clothing and challenging her teacher’s assertion about the absence of political prisoners.
The publication of Persepolis stands as a testament to Marji’s unwavering stance on her beliefs, a stance inherited from her parents. Without their influence, we might remain uninformed about what life looked like during the Islamic Revolution through the eyes of a 10 year old kid.