The Veil In Persepolis

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Persepolis, written by Marjane Satrapi, is the story of Satrapi’s life in Tehran, Iran, during the time she was six to fourteen years old. She shares her daily experiences during the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the celebration of the Iranian Revolution, and the horrific war with Iraq. Not only does the book express the hardships faced by a child, it shows the vast differences between her home life and public life, the political adversity experienced by citizens, and Satrapi’s bravery through it all. Although the reader is captivated by the “powerful black-and-white comic strips,” one must have some prior historical knowledge of the events written about in the story, in order to better understand the book from Satrapi’s perspective (Satrapi, …show more content…
This is extremely prevalent when reading even the beginning chapters. The first chapter, “The Veil,” showcases the one of the most noticeable changes to public life when the leadership in Iran changes. Satrapi explains how before 1980, she did not have to wear veil, however, that is no longer the case. It become obligatory for women to wear the veil in public because the revolutionaries called for a “cultural revolution.” The requirement made by government to wear these veils shocked the children, and she explains how none of her peers understand why they have to wear this head garment. This chapter sets up one of the central conflicts in the novel, which is the conflict between the Lifestyle that Satrapi is used to, and her family’s loyalty to Iran. The authors parents frequently attend demonstrations against the Shah, and Satrapi begs her parents to take her with them. She explains to her parents that, “for a revolution to succeed the entire population needs to support it,” but her parents won’t allow it because it is too dangerous (Satrapi, 17). The discrepancies between social classes is also a common theme that is presented throughout the book. In the chapter “Persepolis,” Satrapi learns that her own family has suffered social disadvantage and poverty. In “The Letter,” she becomes more aware of the class dissonance. In this chapter, the story of …show more content…
This book provides a look into a history of a country that not many people know about. In this case, a memoir is an effective way to learn history. It provides and interesting way to understand a topic. By reading this memoir, westerners can now understand the importance of the Iranian Revolution and how it has continued to change the political and social climate of the country even to this
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