Warfare In Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis

Persepolis runs deeper than the historic background or Iranian culture Marjane Satrapi experienced throughout her childhood. Satrapi’s story exploits the idea of feminism and empowerment of women, while also touching on the topics of family, religion, drugs and alcohol, all ways of life that are experienced all too well by the average person. Although many people you ask on the street might say they have not had to endure to warfare, perhaps you have met someone who has served for your country, or a family member who involves themselves deeply in politics. Surely, these are two topics that are highly illuminated by Satrapi. The surface remains merely scratched if you look to see nothing but the life of Satrapi’s childhood- raised in a warzone-
Whether you’re playing a video game or reading a history book, you have a mental image to Satrapi’s descriptions of her life in Tehran. “The revolution is like a bicycle. When the wheels don’t turn, they fall.” (Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis) A great choice of words to embody the notion of war that everyone can understand. Although Satrapi’s refers to Iran as her home-where they restrict something as minor as freedom of speech-she has passionate, free, political state of mind, which could stereotypically relate to an American mindset. Politics and religion are two subjects Satrapi has distinctly noted the difference, when discussing Iran to western countries. In Iran freedom of speech could mean your life, in the United States freedom of speech could cause social ridicule worst case scenario. By exploiting this difference, Satrapi has furthermore accentuated the similarities that they share. The traumatic history between Iran and Iraq results from The United States and England medaling. Although our cultures and belief system are extremely different, Satrapi’s childhood may not have happened had another country did not get involved. The country you live in today could have taken part during the Islamic Revolution. Reading about Satrapi’s life sounds like a-you-problem, however the country you live in may have taken part of the beginning of the war which resulted in Satrapi’s traumatic childhood. Satrapi’s childhood could very well stem from your country of origin, meaning were all in this together and if one country regime has fallen another country may be to blame. In other words Satrapi’s life could have possibly rested in your hands, or the hand of your