Visual Motif In Persepolis

Often times it is a difficult task to tell the difference between what constitutes as right and wrong. Being able to differentiate this for oneself encourages one to create their own system of principals. In the autobiographical graphic novel, Persepolis, the author, Marjane Satrapi, writes of her and her family's experience with the economical and political changes to her society that came with the movement of the Iranian Revolution. Her use of the visual motif of exclusively using black and white colors in her illustrations and the literary motif of people rebelling against their government conveys a clear central idea that differentiating between good and bad and right and wrong, as well as establishing your own set of values is crucial

Marjane is surrounded by many characters who always know where they stand and what they need to do for themselves and their society. Through the use of the literary motif of characters rebellion against their government for the greater good such as her uncle, Anoosh and Marjane’s family maid, Mehri. This displays a idea that standing for what you believe in is crucial for changing society. Marjane and Mehri, Marjane’s family maid sneak out and go protest a demonstration for the Shah and his government. “Long live the republic!” “Down with the Shah!” (39). Marjane and Mehri both shared the courage to go and protest for their cause and against the abusive government. They both knew where they stood and what was right for their country and greater good. As young Marjane matures and learns more about her family, country, government and social class, she realizes that she knows what she can do to help her family and country through the hardships. Marjane’s uncle, Anoosh, is introduced on page 54 when he come to stay with Marjane’s family. Unlike other characters in the book Anoosh does not shelter Marjane as he tells her his stories of war and revolution. Anoosh tells Marjane a bedtime story about how he was banished from the government and told to leave the country by Marjane’s Grandfather “My son, a traitor! Go away and join my idiot brother! You’ll both end up being executed! Do you [Anoosh] hear me? Executed!” Panel 4 (55). Anoosh is banished and flead the country because he did not share the same values and beliefs as his father and the Shah. Anoosh was able to differentiate what he thought was wrong and what was right for himself and then do something about it. This shows Marjane’s uncle showed resilience and courage to stand up to his father because he didn’t agree with him and thought it was the right thing to do. This shows that doing the right