What does Malcolm x, Che Guevara, and William Wallace all have in common? They have gave their blood, sweat and lives for the justification of their people. Their act of tyranny was to define those who had the self-righteous iron fist. Either, if one sailed to Cuba to overthrowing Cuban’s dictator or to command and lead a outnumber platoon against the powerful English army and come out with multiple wins. Or encourage the avocation for the freedom of the African Americans during the civil right movement. These legendary demonstrators all have the same traits as one young Marjane Satrapi.
As the reader structure her layout in Persepolis. Young Marj S. was force to grow up faster than a normal child would. This had effected her path to finding her own identity. Her surrounding influenced her to battle with her own reality and her imagination. This would eventfully cause her question her own religion and culture. Moreover, Miss Satrapi became what we known in this era as the modern day rebel.
Marjane grew up during the “ the Islamic revolution.” which was held in her own county. This can be especially be tough on a young child. She had to struggle with the realization that many of her family members gave their life to this war. Granted, in the beginning of this novel we come to find that she believed, she was a prophet sent from god. “I was born with religion” and “At the age of six I was already sure I was the last prophet.”(6) However, she had a breakthrough, once her uncle Anoosh was put back into prison. She repainted her god by saying, “Shut up you! Get out of my life!!! I never want to see you again!”(70) This was the beginning of Marjane “The rebel” Satrapi.
Her instinct and insight did not come out of the blue or out of a book. This was trickle down from her chromosome and from the value of parents. She gains this marksmanship to attribute from her family member. Starting with parent. In the beginning of Persepolis we find out that Marjane mom had been photography at a demonstration. She had to hind out and change her color. Then, her dad had gone to a demonstration to take photo of the army killing a young man. Likewise, was the story of her grandpa who had been put in prison multiply time. Plus, the murder of Mohsen who body was found with only his head under water. Then, his sister was executed in his place. These incent all play a part in how she was push to revolts her government and find tranquilly within her own family.
Marj did started to question her family stature compare to other family in her country at an early age. It had dawn on her one day why she was feeling guilty for sitting in her father Cadillac. “The reason for my shame and for the revolution is the same: the difference between social classes.”(33) In addition, she had a maid name Mehri. Mehrie would not eat at the same table as the rest on Marj’s family. Also, there was a scene in the book where the gentlemen next door, who was courting her maid. But, once he found out she was just a maid and not part of Marj family. He had cut all ties with Mehrie. Marj’s father gasp to his daughter “…In this country you must stay within your own social class” Marj cry back “Dad, are you for or against social classes”(37) Marj continue to crying and head back to the room where Mehri was lying in bed. “We were not in the same social class but at least we were in the same bed.”(37). This is where her eyes began to open up and her rebel instinct kick in.
We all go to through a fazed where we become recalcitrant to our parent. Indeed Marj was forbidden to protest at any of the demonstration. Yet, Marj convinces Mehrie to disobey the parents. Marj elaborate, “ Tomorrow we are going to demonstrate” Mehrie replied, “we are not allowed to” Mary insisted, “Don’t worry! We are going anyway.” (38) Although, this incent was just a small step in breaking the rules, but it’s a huge step in a monarch voicing her disagreeing with authority. One of her defining monument was when she had her first cigarette. “…I sealed my act of rebellion against my mothers dictatorship by smoking the cigarette id stolen form my uncle tow weeks earlier”
What put her over the top is when she not only verbally assaulted her teacher but physically as well. Marj teacher announce to the class “Since the Islamic republic was sounded, we no longer have political prisoner” Marj rebuttal back “My uncle was imprisoned by the shah’s regime, but it was the Islamic regime that ordered his execution.” “You say that we don’t have political prisoners anymore. But we’ve gone from 3000 prisoners under the shah to 300,000 under your regime.” “How dare you lie to us like that?” This was one of the most significant parts to the Persepolis. Marjane actually spoke up and not just talked underneath her breath like she always does. This was the monument I knew she had it in her. She was fearless and courageous while specking from her heart.
Marjane was a born leader. I am not a born leader. I did not grow up in a life where every thing was providing for me. I did not have a childhood where so many of my family members died. I did not have to move always from my family at early age. Though, we do have thing in common. We did share the disagreement about how our country portray on our youth. In Iran you were able to enlist to the military at the age of 16. In the United state of America you were able to give your life to the war at the age of 18. But, are not able to purchase alcohol at the age of 18. We both have a strong belief in our own philosophy on the outlook on life. We both took the path that not offends taken by other. Our existence on this planet is not to live the mainstream and cliché life. But, Marj and I are here to break barrier and to bridge gap between mankind and humanity .
Marj was a smidgen of a misfit. A bit self absorb narcissistic with a condescending personally. Yet, she back up her believes with ligament ideology cast from her parent. Marj became a rebel with a shield of honor and shape sword of justice by the traits of her parent outlook on the Iran dictatorship government system. She was arbitrary a self-destructed commodore with vast experience of her families becoming brutally murder for unlawfully reasoning. Marj was force to learn of lies from the misconception and bias Iran education system.
This all played a factor on how Marjane Satrap became a Revolution rebellious rebel. She will fight for the people that can’t fight and will continue to make monumental movement it the social classes. She will gain the trust of her people and become what her grandpa did not.
