The Iranian Revolution: Marjane's Persepolis

In the nine years following the Iranian Revolution, over 30,000 people were executed by the Iranian government as a result of their values conflicting with the conservative Islamic ideals of the new regime (McTighe). The graphic novel Persepolis explores this change in government and the conflict-ridden road leading to it through the story of a young girl named Marjane and her family. It explores how the family’s Communist values cause them to being willing to risk their lives calling for a change and speaking out, first for the overthrow of the corrupt king, then against the Islamic regime. As Marjane struggles with the trials of growing up, she is also forced to live through a series of conflicts which force her to examine her values and

As the government becomes progressively more conservative, schools are shut down then reopened with gender segregation and Islamic teachings. Over time, Marjane begins to rebel increasingly often in school, eventually resulting in an incident where she makes a joke in a serious situation, resulting in the suspension of her entire class. When he goes to the school to confront Marjane’s teacher, Ebi insults her, saying, “If hair is as stimulating as you say, then you need to shave your mustache!” (Satrapi 98). After talking with Marjane’s teacher, Ebi realizes Marjane can be barred from receiving an education as a punishment for not following the newly imposed Sharia laws. This realization deeply angers Ebi because he fundamentally believes everyone should have access to education, regardless of their gender, religion, or political beliefs. Therefore, he lashes out at Marjane’s teacher, simultaneously insulting her and the laws she follows. Previously, Ebi only protested against people with greater authority, so his transition to opposing someone who holds little influence over the government demonstrates his anger surrounding the impacts of the revolution. Through his actions, Ebi dispels stereotypes involving respect for the Koran in Iran. By insulting Marjane’s teacher, he mocks the belief of hair being stimulating, which many

Marjane and her family rebel against the conservative Islamic regime because it opposes the morals they formed due to realizations about their influence on the others and the revolution’s impact. Upon her recognition of her participation in the inequality of social classes, Marjane begins to yearn for change and the overthrow of the Shah. In contrast, Taji feels an intensified need to rebel when she acknowledges the revolution puts her family in danger. Finally, Ebi’s revolutionary zeal peaks when he grasps how the revolution could prevent his daughter from becoming educated, an experience he greatly values. The family’s liberal values provide an example for how Iranians are not all conservative Muslims, contradicting the single story perpetuated by the media and expanding the readers’ understanding of