Sakamoto 1

Lauren Sakamoto

Dr. Malashewski

IB ENGLISH

12 December 2023

Core Concept- Representation

Satrapi embodies what it means to live in a captive society with the inability to believe in

more than the government's system. Strapi represents much more than her own childhood in

Persepolis. Strapi’s childhood experiences convey the suffocation and fear that her society

brought her. This connects readers to deeper concepts through the stripping of innocence and the

knock of reality Strapi had to undergo in order to survive in the society she grew up in. Marji's

innocence was stripped away from her from a young age; this is seen when Mohsen arrived at

her house after getting released from prison. Mohsen described in gory detail of how he and

many others were tortured in prison as he said “They whipped me with thick electric cables so

much that this looks like anything but a foot”(Satrapi 54). Mohsen’s experience expands Marji's

knowledge of the government's system and ways. Throughout Mohsens verbalization of his and

others experiences Marji begins to get frightened. After Mohsen told her irons were used to burn

people she said “I never imagined that you could use that appliance for torture”(Satrapi 54).

Marji’s reaction displays new awareness that has been brought upon her. Marji has gained a new

sense of fear in her society as the darkness of her society is unveiling. Strapi intentionally

conveyed the stripping of innocence in order to represent much more than the Iranian society.

But rather the obligation these types of societies put on children as they must mature a lot faster
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than an average child. This displays the loss of childhood and also the development of trauma

due to the lack of safety their environment contains.

Stereotypes are often still present in today's society but commonly enough stereotypes are

still prevalent today due to societies like Iran. The transition of westernization influence into an

Islamic influence in Iran stripped away much freedom in the society. This is due to the fact

women were mandated to wear veils because hair was distracting to men. This is seen when

Marji was wearing her veil incorrectly and The Guardians of the revolution, The women branch

stopped her saying “Lower your scarf, you little whore!” And “aren’t you ashamed to wear tight

jeans like these”(Satrapi 133). Marji was shamed for wearing her veil slightly back instead of

very far forward and for wearing long pants that weren’t loose fitting. Through this scene Satrapi

highlights that women and girls are commonly sexualized as if their intentions of wearing certain

things is to get attention from men. This is suffocating for women because they feel the constant

judgment and assumptions of others. Through this idea Satrapi connects to much more than just

women in Iranian societies. But rather a whole bunch of people due to the fact many individuals

in today's society feel the obligation to uphold certain stereotypes. Iran has inherited many

stereotypes due to their belief system because of this Satrapi emphasizes on the feelings these

societies bring people. This allows readers to not normalize Iran's society just rather

acknowledge the cruelty and wrongs of the society. Satrapi deepens readers' understanding by

highlighting the struggle of feeling encapsulated and forced to act a certain way. In general its

societies like Iran that must be held accountable for the prevalence of stereotypes and the

ongoing suffrage of many people.

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