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Lauren Sakamoto

Dr. M

IB ENGLISH

05 December 2023

Short Answer

In Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi illustrates the loss of freedom as the westernization of Iran

vanishes into the development of Islamic cultural influences. Satrapi has established a transition

in society to express the freedom of speech that has been taken away from women. Early on in

the novel many demonstrations took place where citizens found the confidence and

comfortability to fight for what they believed in. For instance Marjane's mother participates in

many demonstrations as seen on page 5 where the caption stated “Everywhere in the streets there

were demonstrations for and against the veil”( Satrapi 5). The first panel embodies a peaceful

protest including two groups of people with different beliefs. Satrapi also uses sound effects to

clearly bring the illustration to life through the words ``freedom!” and “the veil!”. However as

the novel progresses the cultural shift from westernization into Islamic influence conveys the

new intensity of demonstration. Marjane went to her first demonstration with her parents but

during this time Islamic influence was becoming the norm as this protest was not peaceful.

Satrapi communicates this towards readers through the captions “FOR THE FIRST TIME IN

MY LIFE, I WAS VIOLENCE WITH MY OWN EYES'' and “THAT WAS OUR LAST

DEMONSTRATION”(Satrapi 76). Satrapi also uses speech bubbles that are sharp rather than

round in order to create a tone to the words being said. This tone creates a perception of fear and
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danger. Through Satrapi’s illustrations readers gain awareness of the severity of events occurring

in the novel.