IO Trial (DUSABE Tresor Divin)

Global issue: Gender inequality towards feminines

Literary body of work: Persepolis

Non-literary extract:"Women have been trained to speak softly and carry a

lipstick. Those days are over." by Bella Abzug

In this IO, I will compare Persepolis with the following non-literary extract: "Women
have been trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick. Those days are over."

Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel Persepolis depicts the author's experiences of

growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The first half of this book focuses
on Marjane's struggles to adapt to the new Islamic regime's strict laws, which
required women to cover themselves and follow many other restrictions.

The issue of gender inequality/oppression towards feminines is brought out in

Persepolis in several ways:
Firstly, the chapter depicts how the Iranian government enforces strict dress codes
and separates men and women in public spaces, with women being subjected to
more stringent rules and regulations. For instance, when Marjane is walking with her
friends, they are stopped by the Guardians of the Revolution, who criticize their dress
and behavior, telling them to "respect themselves" and "show some decency." This
exemplifies the patriarchal control and the policing of women's bodies that is
prevalent in Iranian society.
Last but not least, the chapter also portrays the limitations that are imposed on
women's lives, especially during times of war. Marjane's mother is unable to leave the
house and find work due to the ongoing conflict, and women are expected to stay at
home and take care of the family. Marjane herself is told by her mother that she
cannot go out and play with her friends because it is not safe for her as a girl. This
highlights the gender-based roles and expectations that are placed on women and
girls during times of conflict and crisis.

Non-literary extract:"Women have been trained to speak softly and

carry a lipstick. Those days are over."

This quote is attributed to Bella Abzug, a feminist and lawyer who was a member of
the United States House of Representatives. This statement highlights the change
that occurred in women's roles and attitudes during the feminist movement of the
1960s and 1970s. Bella Abzug implies that women were previously encouraged to
focus on their appearance and remain quiet, but now they have the power to speak
out and demand their rights.
Comparisons:

Both Persepolis and the non-literary extract deal with the topic of women's roles and
rights. Persepolis shows how the Islamic Revolution in Iran imposed strict laws that
restricted women's freedoms, including their dress, speech, and behavior. Women
were no longer allowed to express themselves freely and had to adhere to traditional
Islamic customs, which limited their opportunities and choices.

Similarly, the non-literary extract discusses how women's attitudes and expectations
have changed over time. Bella Abzug suggests that in the past, women were expected
to be quiet and focus on their appearance. However, the feminist movement changed
this by encouraging women to speak out and demand their rights. Women were no
longer willing to be restricted by traditional gender roles and expectations.

Both Persepolis and the non-literary extract highlight the struggle for women's
empowerment and the challenges they face in a patriarchal society. The Islamic
Revolution and the feminist movement are both examples of how women's roles and
attitudes have evolved over time. Despite the different cultural and political contexts,
both and the non-literary extract emphasize the importance of women's voices and
the need for women to assert themselves in a world that has historically silenced
them.

Extracts
Non-literary

Literary