Persepolis: Captivity V. Freedom
A Contained Country Searching for Freedom
“It was too late. Too many of those who had at least tolerated the Shah's rule had been
lost. Demonstrations continued.” (“The Pahlavi Monarchy Falls” 2) In Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, the country of Iran undergoes a series of governmental changes which restricted the citizens. Ironically, when the Shah’s regime fell, the citizens believed they would gain a limitless freedom with no boundaries; however, the citizens were experiencing an unhappy life full of fear and misery. Happiness is tied to the freedoms in doing whatever you want, the citizens of Iran never fully obtained freedom or happiness because of the strict clothing, call of actions, and material goods. In the opening scene of Persepolis, Marjane and her classmates who are girls, were forced
to wear a veil showcasing the transition of a country being refined and controlled. The reactions of Marji’s classmates depicts sadness and hostility towards the veil foreshadowing what effect the veil will have in the future for the country of Iran. (Fig. 1) With the Shah in power, opposition led to nothing but terror and consequences for the rebels.
Fig. 1 (p. 3)
“On January 7, 1936, Iran became the first Muslim country to ban the veil following a royal decree by Reza Shah Pahlavi; this was part of a series of actions taken by Reza Shah in an effort to "modernize" Iran. The strict enforcement of the unveiling of women caused much uproar and distress among various communities.” (Namakydoust) However, when the Shah left, the citizens felt they would gain a sense of freedom. In their mind, they were “free” because this tyrannous leader had left; so they celebrated and expressed their joy with their clothing which had a variety of patterns rather than just a black or white outfit. (Fig. 2) “The country had the biggest celebration of it’s entire history” (Satrapi 42) That was the only time, the citizens had a sense of freedom. Unfortunately, after the Shah’s
“It was too late. Too many of those who had at least tolerated the Shah's rule had been
lost. Demonstrations continued.” (“The Pahlavi Monarchy Falls” 2) In Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, the country of Iran undergoes a series of governmental changes which restricted the citizens. Ironically, when the Shah’s regime fell, the citizens believed they would gain a limitless freedom with no boundaries; however, the citizens were experiencing an unhappy life full of fear and misery. Happiness is tied to the freedoms in doing whatever you want, the citizens of Iran never fully obtained freedom or happiness because of the strict clothing, call of actions, and material goods. In the opening scene of Persepolis, Marjane and her classmates who are girls, were forced
to wear a veil showcasing the transition of a country being refined and controlled. The reactions of Marji’s classmates depicts sadness and hostility towards the veil foreshadowing what effect the veil will have in the future for the country of Iran. (Fig. 1) With the Shah in power, opposition led to nothing but terror and consequences for the rebels.
Fig. 1 (p. 3)
“On January 7, 1936, Iran became the first Muslim country to ban the veil following a royal decree by Reza Shah Pahlavi; this was part of a series of actions taken by Reza Shah in an effort to "modernize" Iran. The strict enforcement of the unveiling of women caused much uproar and distress among various communities.” (Namakydoust) However, when the Shah left, the citizens felt they would gain a sense of freedom. In their mind, they were “free” because this tyrannous leader had left; so they celebrated and expressed their joy with their clothing which had a variety of patterns rather than just a black or white outfit. (Fig. 2) “The country had the biggest celebration of it’s entire history” (Satrapi 42) That was the only time, the citizens had a sense of freedom. Unfortunately, after the Shah’s