Persepolis Influences

Growing up, young people are exposed to varying influences. How adolescents construe these messages affects their personality greatly. In the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Marjane is exposed to a multitude of influences throughout her childhood. Marjane’s story pertains to growing up during the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and it applies to using all of the messages she is given to shape her personality and political views. Marjane’s parents oppose a harsh leader called the Shah; when the Shah loses power, the even more brutal government of Islam takes over Iran. As a child and young woman, Marjane uses her parents as a primary source of information and doesn’t allow the oppressive Islamic Regime to influence her. A major influence on Marji is

For example, when Marji is with a friend who’s mother told her that her father is on a trip, Marji assumes that the right thing to do is tell her friend the likely truth -- that her father is dead. After she does this, her mother scolds her. Marji mumbles “Nobody will accept the truth.” (pg 48) Marji believes that her parents would be proud of her for telling the truth, but instead they scold her because children her age are too young to understand that their parents are imprisoned and killed by the government.

Marji’s parents also influence her by swaying her political beliefs. One way her parents influence her is by buying her books that support communistic beliefs. Marji explains “To enlighten me they brought books. I knew everything about Fidel Castro…” (pg 12). In addition, Marji idolizes them; “Don’t you think I look like Che Guevara? Maybe I’ll be even better as Fidel Castro!” (pg 18). Marji’s parents demonstrate a passion to make Marji side against the Shah. Marji