Satrapi's Persepolis: The Degradation Of Women

At one of the lower social standing in Middle Eastern culture, the Iranian government uses many methods to keep women from climbing up the proverbial social ‘ladder’. The degradation of women through the entirety of Persepolis is seen when the author highlights how the rights of women are slowly taken away and the obvious superfluous reasoning behind it. Early on in the novel, it is decreed that all women must wear veils in order to, “protect women from all the potential rapists” (Satrapi 74). The government justified the unwarranted decree through the reasoning that, “Women’s hair emanates rays that excite men. That’s why women should cover their hair! If in fact it is really more civilized to go without the veil, then animals are more civilized than we are” (Satrapi 74). The government uses religion, one aspect of culture, as an excuse for women to cover their hair, and essentially, take away their freedom of expression and incite fear and undeserved
As a result, those who are interested in oil become very concerned and involved in the dealings of the Middle East. In Persepolis, Marjane’s father explains to a very naïve and confused Marjane that it was not God who chose the king. The comic the depicts a scene of how the father of the current Shah, who was once an illiterate low-ranking officer, came into power because of the British, who took advantage of his illiteracy, and used him to gain access to the oil by helping him become king (Satrapi 19-21). As said by the British to the king, “You just give us oil and we’ll take care of the rest” (Satrapi 21). The Iranians were completely aware that most Western countries strived to gain access to the precious oil and are resentful that their government leaders, because of their desire for power, became puppets for the West to control with zero regard towards the