Marjane's Ideas of Heroism and Martyrdom

Callista Wilson

ELA 10

29 September 2017

Marjane’s Ideas of Heroism and Martyrdom in Persepolis

In the Graphic Novel Persepolis, Marjane’s varying views on the importance and definition of heros and martyrs can be seen as a major theme. Typically, a person who is idolised for their courage is considered a hero and a person who dies for the benefit of a certain belief is considered a martyr. Near the beginning of the book, Marjane is young and has recently learned the reasons behind the revolution. As she is a child with limited life experience, the many powerful revolutionary ideas she has been taught, are strongly planted in her mind. Marjane has read comic books which strongly promote the ideas of the revolution, her parents have raised her to fight and protest against injustice, and she suddenly begins to strongly believe in the morality and methods of the revolutionists. However, she feels helpless as a young child in terms of the efforts towards the revolution and is comforted by the idea of heroes in her family. Marjane states, “There are lots of heroes in my family. My grandpa was in prison, my uncle Anoosh too: for nine years! He was even in the U.S.S.R” (61).  Furthermore, Marjane does not understand that there is no need for a person to endure torture or be in prison to contribute to the revolution. The truth is, revolutionists who were not imprisoned or tortured were more likely to go further in their efforts towards change and more likely to make an overall impact towards the revolution as free people.

Works Cited

Satrapi, Marjane. The Complete Persepolis. SAPL, 2013.          

The Theme Of Revolution In Persepolis

Callista Wilson

IHSS 10

20 September 2017

The Theme of Revolution in Persepolis

The Islamic Revolution originated with Marxism- the idea that class should not separate workers- and occurred during the late seventies in Iran. It eventually lead to the establishment of The Islamic Republic and the banishment of the current monarch in 1979. In the Graphic Novel, Persepolis, Marjane discusses her books and states, “But my favorite was a comic book entitled, “Dialectic Materialism” In my book you could see Marks and Descartes”(12). The ideas of the revolution are not only present in the minds of the revolutionists, but also in the minds of their children. In addition, the revolution changes Iran more than protesters expected. For instance, many of the protesters, including Marjane's parents, lived  modern and secular lifestyles. They immediately became rebellious to the Islamic Republic’s strict religious rules by having parties, drinking alcohol, and looking down on their neighbors, who were loyal to the Republic. Marjane’s mother justifies her reasons for hanging black curtains by stating, “Across the street. They’re totally devoted to the new regime. A glimpse of what goes on in our house would be enough for them to denounce us!” (105). Marjane’s mother who once attended violent protests to cause the revolution becomes defiant and secretive towards the Republic and it’s followers.    Similarly, Marjane, who earlier snuck off to protest with her family’s made , reflects the actions of her parents by making fun of her teacher at school when being told to respect the new revolutionary ideas. Overall, the revolution is the main cause for change and the main cause for complexity in the plot of Persepolis. The ideas of revolution can bee seen in the books which Marjane reads, and the unexpected changes it causes can be observed in how Marjane and her parents reacted to the revolution.  

Works Cited

Afary, Janet. “Iranian Revolution of 1978–79.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 12 July 2017, www.britannica.com/event/Iranian-Revolution-of-1978-1979.

Satrapi, Marjane. The Complete Persepolis. SAPL, 2013.