Persepolis Identity Essay

In the book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, the author explores how the sense of identity results in suffering because it forces one to isolate through her autobiographical graphic novel of the Islamic Revolution. The bulk of the text provides extensive descriptions of how the sense of identity forces one to isolate from how Marjane “Marji” struggles to be alone without her family (Satrapi 155) and is restricted by her personal choices (296), expressed through her identity. Why is it that, in order to develop a sense of identity, it forces one to suffer through isolation? This paper will argue that within Persepolis the sense of identity results in suffering because it forces one to isolate. First, it will establish a sense of identity is characterized

Due to the restrictions made by the Iranian government, women were required to cover themselves from head to toe (98), otherwise, men get mad at them. Covering up took away any sort of belonging to their homeland as they were forced to follow rules. The restricted clothing choices took away Marji’s identity, however in her pictures, she always puts herself in a patterned shirt or has patterned bedding. Despite the restrictive rules, and not in the present, this was a way Marji expressed herself during her writing process. Even as a child, the requirement to wear the veil was something Marji questioned (3), along with many of her classmates. Conforming to a rule is not a place Marji strived in, as it took away the identity she had to express herself. Marji is also taught to be religious, through her lessons at school and home, but she does not receive what she asks for in return for talking to God (8). By not receiving the religious return Marji struggles in identifying with God, as she feels no sense of warmth from her

Being forced to isolate can give time for changes to develop in society. The regime had all absolute power (323), making it difficult to make thoughtful, personalized choices. All personal thoughts were isolated from public knowledge, as the changes in society came before anything. Changes developing in society may result in suffering. For her safety, Marji’s parents have her move to Austria (147), a physically safer place, but a place she knows no one. Anyone would suffer, at the age of 14, leaving their parents and their home country with so many changes occurring at the moment. However, after she does return to Iran, she confronts her parents and family about the difficult time she had away from the war-filled country, despite nothing being violent (267). Suffering can be defined in many different ways, to many different people and the societies in, both, Austria and Iran are very