persepolis

In class the questimn was raised of whether or not it was Marjane's parents decision to send her to Europe was an appropriate decision rather than keepingher home with them in Iran. Although some of my classmates disagree, I believe that it was 100% the correct decision to make. As parents, it is your responsibilty to respect and fend for your children in any and every way. In my opinion, Marjane's parents were fulfilling this role by sending her away. If Marjane stayed in Iran, it is extremely possible that she could have become a casuality to war and societal chaos due to the regimeof her country. The choices were clear: stay home and die or struggle as an outcast living abroad; to die or to adapt. In my opinion, the decision should always be to live elsewhere and adapt to your new surroundings rather than stay somewhere where your life is at risk continuously in the 'comfort of your own home." Angela feeney, post 1o

Persepolis

In class we talked about wether if was a good idea or not to send Marj away to France. Her father and mother both believed it was a good idea even though she was so young. You might think that it would be a bad idea because she is so young and she it not mature enough. I believe it was a good idea. In France she met and faced alot of lifes problems head on. In the beginning she tried to hide her identity. She did not want everyone to know that she was from Iran. She had to learn for herself to be true too herself and accept her identity. This is something that someone could not just tell her, but she had to learn it for herself. Going to France was a major "coming of age" experience for her. She was mature enough to go alone to a new country and find her identity. She faced many different obstacles, but that is what helped her become who she is today. If she stayed in Iran, she would have led a life of danger and probably faced death. Her parent knew that they were taking a big risk sending her but they believed in their daughter and in the end i think they made the right decision. Marj was able to battle through struggles of personal identity, finding love and eventually finding herself. I believe that she would not be who she is today if she had not gone to Europe.

Persepolis Overview

After reading Persepolis and reflecting on its message there are a few things that really standout. The first detail that I feel is crucial is the transformation Marjane experiences from childhood to adulthood. This change occurs in two major ways; the first is the fact that Marjane goes from being the intellectual outcast while be culturally similar, to becoming an intellectual and cultural outcast when she lives in Vienna. The second transformation is a personal one, as a child Marjane was a good kid with a rebellious streak, but when she began to live in Europe her morals and thoughts changed drastically. Overall I really liked this book, there were relatable parts to keep the reader interested but also some eye opening and thought provoking chapters that made it a unique read. Marjane Satrapi helped to shed light on real life in the mid east.

Persepolis

Overall, I feel that this book was much better written as a graphic novel than in all prose.  The way in which Satrapi was able to express the effects her life had on who she turned out to be was shown much more clearly through her interesting graphics.  Much of her imagery offered more insight into her life than the words.
The life she led was difficult and a lot of what she described seems impossible to have happened--for not all of that could have happened to one person, especially all of the luck--or lack there of--that she had.  A lot of the hardships she had surprised me, and many of her actions as well.  Marji appears to be one way in her head but a lot of what she does displays how much she still has to learn in her life.

Allison Weening, Post 10

Persepolis as a whole.

Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi has overall been an inspirational book full of surprises. It was so much more intriguing to read a comic-like book full of Satrapis' life story and events., versus and ordinary novel. Ever since the first page, I have been unable to put the book down. Satrapi opens up her life story to all readers and shares with us her good times, as well as the bad, refraining from hiding anything, no matter how embarrassing or upsetting.

In reading this story, I can find relationship in my own life, as well to the other readings. As this semester has progressed, I have begun to like reading more and more, for I only like to read books that interest me, and all of which have done so. The theme of outcast-hood has been present in every reading thus far. In Persepolis, Marjane is stuck in a continuous battle for acceptance because she is too mentally strong for Iran and too lost in Vienna. However, Marj moves past these "battles" and ultimately uses them to her advantage when she later moves on from her family to start a brand new life.

In conclusion, being n outcast can come an great costs, but one must learn to take those negative experiences and turn them into learning experiences, thus learning how to be a better person and accepting who you are.

Courtney Bisher

Persepolis

Throughout this entire book, Marjane is always the one who is the outcast and always has been more mature than the kids her age. She can be considered and outcast because of how much she knows about what is going on in her country. Marjane watches the news all the time and she is the only kid who truly understands the truth about the war. Rather than be sad or nervous, she copes with this news by being rebellious and making jokes about it. By making fun of the war, Marjane can explain the events to the kids her age so that they can understand. She becomes rebellious by going to demonstrations, skipping school, wearing some of her hair outside her veil, and eventually smokes a cigarette as to rebel, not only against the government, but to her mother as well.

In class, we talked a lot about whether or not Marjane's parents made the right decision to send her out of the country. It is a battle between being in danger or being lonely; to give up one, you have to chose the other. How is someone supposed to do that? That is a very hard decision. I think that her parents realized how rebellious of a person she is and decided that it is not safe for her to stay in a country where it could be so easy for her to get arrested just based on her personality. They knew it was better for her to be out of the country so they know that she would be safe (well, at least safer.) However, is it better to have assurance of your safety and be very lonely, or is it better to be with your family but in constant danger? I think the decision made depends on the person who is going through it. No one else can tell you what is best for yourself. You are the only one that knows. From being away from home so long and visiting a long lost friend, Marjane learned that you can't take life too seriously sometimes. Sometimes it helps to just laugh things off. Always keep a positive attitude and have a good outlook on everything.

-Bethany Davis (Post #10)

The Complete Persepolis

This book was really an eye opener on life in another country. I really liked the style of this book to , the pictures really helped me visual what was going on during the novel. Now I can see why there is such a rise in popularity with graphic novels. But throughout the novel we witness the evolution of the main character and how she changes at different points in her life. Be it from changing from a physical standpoint or a mental, emotional standpoint. I couldnt even imagine going through all the hardships Marjane went through throughout her life in Iran and Austira. She had to face both mental and physical outcast. Then when moving back from Austria to Iran, her ideology was so different she could barely relate to any of her friends and family. Obviously all of this has made her a stronger person, and she had the courage to share her story with the world. Her story may change what people like of Iran and the people who live there, as well as help us feel for the people who are outcasts and people struggling with war.

Post 10 Kenny Liszewski

The Complete Persepolis: Marjane Satrapi

Throughout Marjane's life, she always exhibited more mature qualities in comparison to her peers. Although she made mistakes living on her own in France, those mistakes helped Marjane realize what her grandmother had been saying to her. Marjane wanted to fit in with the crowd so she'd tell people that she wasn't from Iran and stuff like that, but on her own she ultimately realizes that she needs to be proud of her heritage. That, to me, is a great lesson to learn, especially by oneself. Even standing up to her teachers in Iran showed great courage, especially for someone so young. Not only did she voice her opinions, but she stood up for them, which is really remarkable and admirable. When she speaks to her parents over the phone and feels guilty for smoking and dressing differently, I'm sure her parents know that she is experimenting with her image and certain things in society. Being one of five children, my parents always knew what we were up to. I don't know how, but one of them always knew. My older siblings would warn me about stupid stuff they did to make sure I didn't do that too and when finally faced with that situation, my parents would warn me against it too. But when they would, they would tell me about how my siblings faced similar situations. This blew our minds because we all had no idea how they found out about the stupid stuff that went on. Even though Marjane is thousands of miles away from her family, they aren't as naive as Marjane thinks. And I think they'd rather her experiment in France than in Iran where she can be raped for not wearing a veil. It could happen in France too, but she wouldn't be to blame because wearing the veil helped suppress men's sexual desires. If she dressed like a punk in Iran, she would be guilty for possible giving men the wrong idea. Overall, Marjane's parents made the right decision. She was safe from harm, learned to grow as a person on her own, and all of her experiences helped her write The Complete Persepolis. Pam Kawalerski Post #11

The Complete Persepolis 4/16/11

In "The Complete Persepolis" Marjane Satrapi lived her life as a definite protagonist. With her world changing around her very rapidly she remained her own person. It seems like Iran was never really the place for her, even though her family and friends were there her rebellious nature did not belong there with Iran's every changing rules. She did need to get out and she did. With that even her marriage seemed like a trap to her. Satrapi needed to express herself and her marriage was preventing that from happening.

As Satrapi moved on she never did forget her heritage or her traditions and the way she was raised. Everyone in her life had a huge impact on how she developed as a person and that will probably be what makes her who she is. Her parents wanted the best for her that is why they sent her off alone to teach her valuable lessons. Ones that they knew she had to learn herself. Then coming back she realized over time she did need to move on and she accepted it. Iran was not letting her be the person she really needed to be. And it turned out that she became very successful in her work. This was a very interesting book by looking at the development of a child through the Islamic revolution and watching her grow up through her adolescents.

Scott Swan
Post 11

Persepolis.

Upon reading Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, I have come across several questions and surprises. In the beginning of the book, Marj expresses her love and devotion to God by believing that she is to be the next Prophet. However, once realizing that God cannot answer all of her wishes, she becomes a non-believer and demands him to "get out". I had imagined that this story was going to be told from a lower class perspective, however, Marjs' family is wealthy, as so it seems because they have a maid. This being a key element, opens up a whole new perspective; that pain, sorrow, trouble, and hardship effected ALL social class; the war didn't choose to effect the poor vs. the rich. This theory can relate to current society where it seems as the rich are never burdened and middle/lower class ALWAYS paying the consequences.

One popular theme that appears frequently in this book is "outcast-hood", which can relate to all of the books/stories/poems that we have read in class this year. As discussed in class, Marj is a girl growing up in a war zone. Like other growing kids/teenagers, questions arise and rebellion occurs. Marj is continually changing and trying to find herself, which ultimately makes her unique against the majority of people who would rather conform to society than stand up and ask questions.

Courtney Bisher