Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis Essay

The novel, Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi features a young girl protagonist struggling with a change in culture and a rebellious attitude emerging with this change. Marji faces many conflicts with her parents, the government, and most importantly, within her own self. Throughout this series of events that are changing the world around her, Marji begins to act out in ways reflecting important influential figures in her life, like her parents. Throughout this novel, the reader can see how Marji’s actions begin to mirror her parents actions though she does not intend to do so. Though Marji’s rebellious attitude seems to stand out throughout the novel, after analyzing the novel further, it is clear that Marji’s actions stem from her parents rebellious
The theory that marji’s parents lies do not have just intentions is evident in the chapter “Kim Wilde (126)”. In this chapter, Marji’s parents are crossing the border of Istanbul carrying illegal items that they bought for Marji. Not only do they smuggle illegal things, but Marji’s mother schemes up an idea to hide posters in the lining of her father’s jacket. When stopped at the security. The man asks “You’re sure you’ve got anything illegal?” Marji’s parents both quickly deny this question (129). Marji’s parents blatant lies result in further consequences for Marji. When Marji wears her new punk-rock clothes that she got from her mother, she is stopped by women in the Guardians of the Revolution and almost taken to the committee because of her clothing (133-134). Marji’s parents lie their way into smuggling illegal goods across the border which leads to consequences for Marji. Their lack of contemplation on how their lies could negatively affect others almost get’s Marji in trouble with the committee. Though their intention when lying may not be considered as “bad intentions,” they still cause harm to