What We Can Learn From a Childhood

Persepolis is the first graphic novel I have ever read, and I can confidently say that it won't be my last! I never would have delved into the comics genre if it wasn't for the current Literature & Culture class I am taking through my university's summer school. The books I have read within the class have all been highly enjoyable and enriching, but Persepolis is by far my favorite. Marjane Satrapi's story of a pre-teen growing up in the tumultuous landscape of wartime Iran is interesting in so many ways. She allows her readers to step into not only another country, but another mindset by displaying her personal endeavors and discoveries and the hardships of growing up in a country full of strain and confusion. What I appreciated most about this book was its ability to challenge stereotypes the Western world has created in regards to the life and culture of Middle Eastern countries. There is certainly a disconnect: countless misrepresentations and preconceived notions about the character and lifestyles of those living within the countries that some perceive as "the axis of evil," Iran, Iran among them. But Satrapi's memoir subtly comes against these stereotypes, challenging their authenticity by sharing her life experiences and emotions as a young girl trying to make sense of her own beliefs and the world around her. The graphic novel's artwork also plays into this simplified mode of storytelling. All of the images are simply drawn in black and white, but by no means are the themes and concepts represented by these images and icons downplayed. In my opinion, they are accentuated. While the story does deal with visually horrific and gory concepts, the story is also told from the perspective of a child growing into an adult. To me, it would seem inappropriate to make the novel too realistic. In essence, this novel was enjoyable and certainly hard to put down. It is a free-flowing story, a narrative that gives you no choice but to become invested in its characters and sometimes forget that you are only looking at images meant to represent the very real conflicts that happened in Iran. But I walked away from this novel better educated about the Islamic Revolution as well as the living conditions and well-being of so many Iranian citizens, making it more than a worthy read.


Some of my favorite quotes from Persepolis:

"There is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance... Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself."

"Nothing's worse than saying goodbye. It's a little like dying."

"I want to be justice, love and the wrath of God all in one."

"Once again, I arrived at my usual conclusion: one must educate oneself."

"I realized then that I didn't understand anything. I read all the books I could."

"To each his own way of calming down."

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