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Persepolis Global Issues Thematic Statements - Myumi Lee
Persepolis Global Issues Thematic Statements - Myumi Lee
because the new Islamic regime threatens the resistance of all self expression and individuality,
something that Majane is passionate and curious about. Getting sent off to Austria would allow
her to be more open with her beliefs, but in the process she needs to be separated from her
family. Therefore, a clash between the constraints imposed by religious doctrines and
individuality is exemplary throughout the novel as Marjane must make sacrifices in her life to
obtain personal freedom. The rigid atmosphere of Iran forces her and her family into making
difficult choices such as safeguarding Marjane’s individuality, in which she must sacrifice the
constant familial support that has been with her up until this point of her life. Marji’s grandma
tells her on the night of her departure, “In life you’ll meet a lot of jerks. If they hurt you, tell
yourself that it’s because they’re stupid. That will help you from reacting to their cruelty. Because
there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance… always keep your dignity and be true to
yourself.” (Satrapi 150) This separation from her family becomes prominent as it illuminates the
larger struggles for autonomy in an oppressive society that desires to integrate beliefs and
However, regardless of the oppressive Islamic regime which seeks to control every
aspect of their peoples public and private life, there is also a rich historic and cultural tradition of
intellectualism, art, and diverse religious beliefs that even contradict the new regime’s
orthodoxy. Marjane’s particular journey distinctly reflects how religious institutions can be both a
source of solace and a tool for oppression, depending on one’s perspective. In which she is
conflicted with such contradictions within her own family, wherein some family members
embrace the ideals of the Islamic Revolution while others blatantly resist, which undoubtedly