Part I: Works in Translation Reflective Statement

The Complete Persepolis Reflective Statement

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PROMPT: How was your understanding of cultural and contextual
considerations of the work developed through the interactive oral discussion?
After viewing this gallery walk-style interactive oral for Marjane Satrapis graphic novel The Complete
Persepolis, I have found that the similarities between Marji, author and protagonist, and Marie Curie, chemist,
provide an interesting interpretation of the effects of the work of both of these women. It can be seen that the
life of Marie Curie was quite similar in several regards to that of Satrapis; therefore, certain sections and
events of the book become more relatable, especially when examining the effects of the book on the author
and the world.
Both of these women faced opposition through gender barriers, left their families and homeland to
pursue an education, and were faced with a hunger for knowledge and struggle in receiving it. The connections
between these two women then lend themselves to an adapting understanding of the work, as well as the
successes of each of these women after their publication, and cultural events regarding the stances these
women take. After Curie studied abroad in Paris, she returned to Poland but eventually returned to Paris due to
conditions within her homeland. A similar experience is seen with Satrapi; she studies abroad in Austria, later
returns to Iran but eventually is forced to leave again. These similarities do not stop here, however. After
defying odds both women saw successes with their respective publications. Curie revolutionized chemistry with
her work on radioactivity, and Satrapi revealed and gave a firsthand view of a intense culture within an
oppressive government. Examining these similarities allows for a certain interpretation of Satrapis graphic
fiction to come about. It becomes apparent to me that the similarities seen show that Marji is not alone; others
have experienced a life similar to her and have produced similar results from it. Additionally, I believe that the
similarities between Marjis life and that of others such as Curie greatly reflect juxtaposition present within the
text. Throughout the graphic novel, a juxtaposition of western culture and Iranian oppression as well as
juxtaposition of Marji and other groups of people is often seen. The differences seen between different
cultures, societies, and groups of people through this juxtaposition does not alter the types of experiences
people might have, seen through the similarities of Satrapi and Curies experiences. Through this, a view of
Marie Curies life reflects many similarities to that of Marjane Satrapi and allows for altering interpretations of
the graphic novel to come about.

Word Count: 400

Part 1: Works in Translation

Written Assignment
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Structure and Expression: Achieving Purpose Within Marjane Satrapis The Complete Persepolis

Typical societal viewpoints and opinions of the Middle East, specifically that of Iraq and Iran, often
reveal generalized and falsified thoughts on the people of that region. Throughout her personal memoir and
graphic novel, The Complete Persepolis, author Marjane Satrapi acknowledges this bias and reflects upon
these generalized thoughts of her nation. She compares and contrasts concepts, ideals, and actions to achieve
reflective emphasis and showcase purpose. Satrapi's use of juxtaposition within the text allows for her to
display her opinion as the author, and convince the reader of its message. Satrapi juxtaposes separate ideals
through written and artistic expression to expose life within a repressive regime and defy stereotypical views of
her country.
Within the exposition and initial segments of plot, Satrapi juxtaposes violence and oppression to reflect
the uprising of the people against the Shah. In the first few panels of The Water Cell, she uses images to
reflect this comparison of violence and oppression, given the invigorated people and the stark soldiers seen
facing each other as opposites while fighting. The soldiers, a symbol of oppression, and the people, a symbol
of liberty, are juxtaposed against each other, comparing opposing governmental ideals. The people appear
energized and full of emotion, seeking to defy corruption and oppression; the soldiers appear determined and
focused, seeking to carry out duties and responsibilities assigned by the regime. Satrapi displays the violence
present in demonstrating against a regime and the concept and exchange of power present amongst the
people and the government. These demonstrations come as Satrapi is only initially introducing life during this
time and the historical events tied to it. As she introduces the year of the revolution, it becomes apparent that
the revolution was fueled by the desire of the people to resist the Shah and his government. The oppression
noted during the era of the Shah features the use of propaganda and fear as an attempt to persuade the
people into submission. Satrapi shows propaganda within her school books and fear with the use of prisons to
demonstrate the repressive government that the Shah represents. These direct examples of repression as well
as the juxtaposition seen through the images of the soldiers and the people come together and are placed
amongst each other, therefore achieving a primary purpose of the novel: to expose the actions of the
governmental regime she lives under. Through this juxtaposition, Satrapi induces a negative impression
towards the Shah and his government.
As Satrapi develops Marjanes character and historical events within the plot progress, juxtaposition is
featured again so as to achieve a purpose of the text. Following the fall of the Shah and the uprising of the
people, a revolution comes about; initially, it is expected that this revolution would be for the betterment of
society, but it eventually is revealed that the revolution once again features a repression of civil liberties. Marji
states, the internal war had become a bigger issue than the war against Iraq. Anyone showing the slightest
resistance to the regime was persecuted (Satrapi 118/1). In relation to this, images of war, seen on page 116
seen with tumultuous violence and bombings, as well as images of repression and the removal of civil liberty,
seen on page 117 with executions and corrupt arrests, are placed directly prior to this revelation. Not only does
Marjis statement feature juxtaposition in and of itself, given the comparison of the internal war and the war
against Iraq, but it also juxtaposes images of war and oppression throughout. Through these comparisons,
again Satrapi is able to showcase life within this form of government. Artistic and literary expression is utilized
to achieve this aim, and allows for both Satrapi's opinion and a reflective emphasis to come about.
As the memoir progresses, Satrapi begins to exhibit stereotypical views of Iran and how those beliefs
and viewpoints do not wholly represent all aspects of the people in her country, often seen through her
characters personal transformation. As Marji begins to culturally express herself as a still growing woman, she
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dresses according to aspects of western culture and begins to embrace modern ideals in appearance and
attitude. Following her parents vacation to Turkey, Marji receives a denim jacket, Michael Jackson pin, and
Nike shoes, and begins to wear these in the streets of Iran. Displaying a different viewpoint and new outlook on
clothing and fashion, Marji appears proud to dress herself this way and begins to manifest personal growth as
she ages into adulthood. When two members of the Guardians of the Revolution stop her in the street and
chastise her inability to appear properly veiled. Marji states, their job was to put us back on the straight and
narrow by explaining the duties of muslim women (Satrapi 133/1). Marjis appearance and clothing is criticized
and shown in comparison to how a traditional muslim woman should dress. Michael Jackson is related as a
symbol of decadence (Satrapi 133/5) and sneakers are seen as a symbol of punk. These statements and the
actions of the two older women feature juxtaposition in the ideals of modern and traditional clothing and
attitude. The Guardians of the Revolution and the traditions they uphold are directly juxtaposed to Marji and the
often progressive appearances and actions she represents; additionally, the specific aspects of Marjis outfit
are juxtaposed and compared to that of the traditional muslim woman and how the revolution believes women
should dress. Satrapi shows that the way women dress under this oppressive society is often driven by
governmental rules and not necessarily freedom of choice. She therefore defies a stereotypical view of Iran
and Iranian women as she exhibits the veil and the way Marji is forced to be dressed as more of a symbol of
oppression rather than a symbol of personal liberty in choosing how to dress, allowing for her thoughts on the
subject to draw forth.
Later, as Marjane returns to Iran after her time in Europe, she again faces governmental oppression
and characteristics of a traditional society. While in school, she is reminded of how fixed and conventional
many of her classmates are in mindset. After dropping her pencil case, Dorna, a classmate, sees a packet of
birth control pills in Marjanes possession and questions her on it. Marjane defends herself stating, I take it
because I sleep with my boyfriend (Satrapi 303/4) and is immediately chastised and judged by her peers. In
this, Marjane and her progressive, less conventional way of life is directly compared and placed next to her
peers and their traditional ways of life. Through Marjanes words and actions, Satrapi yet again shows her
defiance to traditional rule. Through her defiance, a stereotypical view of Iranian life is shown. All of the people
in her class display the thought that Iranian women must wait until marriage for sex; however, Marjane resists.
Therefore, Satrapi again seeks to show noncompliance to stereotypical views of Iran and Iranian women, and
promotes her opinion on the matter.
Marjane Satrapi seeks to discuss her experiences living under a repressive regime of government while
simultaneously defying and disregarding several common stereotypical views and opinions of Iran in her
graphic novel, The Complete Persepolis. Often when achieving this purpose and showing the differences in
culture and society amongst Iran and other parts of the world, Satrapi leans heavily on the use of juxtaposition
both in and amongst images and language. She establishes a break and difference amongst aspects of the
story she tells; the governmental system of the Shah and the revolution that sweeps the country is shown
separate from the desires of the people, allowing for the true culture and people of Iran to draw forth. The use
of juxtaposition allows for Satrapi to induce and promote her opinions amongst several aspects of the story.
Through the juxtaposition present and her manifested opinions on cultural events in the novel, Satrapi
achieves the purpose of the text she lays out in the introduction; she states, I believe that an entire nation
should not be judged by the wrongdoings of a few extremists (Satrapi i).

Word Count: 1,348

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Works Cited
Satrapi, Marjane. The Complete Persepolis. Trans. Mattias Ripa and Blake Ferris. New York: Pantheon Books,
2004. Print

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