The Conflicts of Iran Mirrored in Marji Kyle Huang 10th Grade

Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis is a graphic novel that tells her own coming of age story in Iran during a period of turmoil. Similar to Iran’s ever-changing period of political upheaval, Marji’s character development is marked by conflict. In fact, Iran’s revolution, war with Iraq, and religious dictatorship is mirrored by Marji’s own struggles: her moral revolution, war with foreign friends, and the imprisonment of marriage. Each feud significantly impacts Marji and teaches her a lesson which helps her transition into the woman she is today. Although Marji’s conflicts appears to be leading her down the same dark path as Iran, her inner rebelliousness spares her from the same fate, allowing her the opportunity to continue her life with complete freedom.

While Iran is going through a revolution to undermine the Shah, Marji also undergoes an internal uprising on her way to maturity. As a young girl, Marji wants to become a prophet. Every night before going to bed, she speaks to God and reveals her own moral consciousness. For example, God, who appears like Marji’s physical representation of wisdom, always tells Marji what she wants to hear: “you are celestial light, you are my choice, my last and my best” (Satrapi, 8, frame 2)....