The Feminist Undertone in Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
During the late 1970s in Iran, the country was undergoing major political transformations that will warp the nation forever. During this time, Marjane Satrapi, a young girl that lived in this war-torn country decided to document her childhood while growing up. Satrapi uses feminism – the idea that both sexes have economic and social equality throughout the novel and the concept of coming of age. In Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, Satrapi uses real-life experiences to show feministic ways in Iran before, during and after the Iranian Revolution and how it affects her coming of age.
The theme of coming of age in Persepolis is prominent throughout the novel. As Marjane grows up, she encounters many ups and downs and develops her own stance to the world around her. She matures her attitudes through her experiences as a child and lessons she has learned as the world around her changes. As she grows, the readers realize that Marjane had to endure many things that kids at young ages don’t particularly do. In the end, she becomes an independent woman that is not afraid to speak her mind.
There were several events and influences which led Satrapi into following the feminist path, but it was mainly due to the veil. In Persepolis, the veil is the most important aspect in novel. In the beginning of the novel, co-ed schools were banned, women were forced to wear veils and the Cultural Revolution began. The veil symbolizes limitation and oppression of women throughout the novel. Marjane remarks, “'I really didn't know what to think about the veil”, and later the reader can see the effects that it had on children and women. In Tehran, there were two types of women – the ones who wore veils and the ones who did not. When women wore the veil, they were constantly robbed of their freedom. Moreover, women were told the government that the purpose of the veil was “to protect women from all potential rapists”. However, it was also a way to hide the women’s identities.
Education also led Satrapi to pursue a feminist path in Persepolis. At the start of the cultural ban, schools were segregated based on gender, and bilingual schools were shut down. For Majane’s parents, education was an important because separating her from the rest would allow Marjane to become an “educated, liberated woman” as the regime started placing many restrictions on schools. This is where Marjane began to question those who were supposed to be over her such as her teachers and principals. Furthermore, Marjane’s bold ideas caused her to be expelled from school and she was forced to find another school. After, she was allowed the opportunity to continue her studies in a different country. Her father in particular, was happy that she told the teacher off. This confirms Marjane’s family support feminism and value her education by giving her the education and freedom she was entitled to. Her mother comments, “I trust your education” and Marjane proceeds in her educational journey .
On the journey between her childhood and adolescent years, Marjane had several influences in her life while growing up that shaped the role in feminism in the novel. Her mother, grandmother, Mehri, and Guardians of the Revolution Women’s Branch taught her about women's rights. More importantly, Marjane finally learns to stand up for herself. Marjane’s family was not the typical conservative family in Iran during the time, and they were firm supporters of feministic ideas.
Her mother, Taji, participated in demonstrations often with Marjane’s father to express her concerns for equality in their country. As her parents started participating in demonstrations more frequently, Marjane noticed and wanted to follow in her parents footsteps. Taji also faced problems with the veil and had a confrontation with the Guardians of the Revolution, but taught Marjane how to carefully rebel in discrete ways. She demanded that Marjane to stand up for her “rights as a women right now”. This demonstrates that Marjane acquires her feminist perspective mostly from her mother.
Her grandmother taught her that women can be independent and support their own ideas. After her husband’s imprisonment, Marjane’s grandmother had been alone and was supporting herself and her children, but was struggling financially. During the novel, she always supported Marjane and her dreams no matter how foolish they were. Marjane’s grandmother also took risks for her family. One day she managed to flush all the liquor down toilet before the police found out by telling him that she had diabetes. From her, Marjane leans that she must “be true” during everything she goes through.
The family’s maid, Mehri, taught Marjane about class differences during the revolution. Mehri fell in love with a young man down the street, and Marjane became deeply invested in their newfound love. Marjane would always write back for Mehri because she could not read nor write. When Marjane’s father found out about the ongoing romance, he stopped it immediately. Marjane did not understand that they could not be together and was disappointed by the situation. Marjane was too young to realize the real problem. During this time period in Iran, people in lower class systems could not date someone else from higher class nor could the person change their class. The class they were born in was the class they stayed in. Marjane learned that people are always treated unjustly and their differences in the class system.
Marjane Satrapi developed a feminist perspective. At the start of the novel, she didn’t have an understanding of certain things because she was too young. However, having strong feministic role models and experiences, Marjane creates her own thoughts about the world around her. She begins to read advanced books, defend herself against other people and develop her own voice and style. Despite following rules, Marjane listens to secular music. She started to wear Nike sneakers and jean jackets. She stands up for herself especially against the Guardians of the Revolution, teachers and her parents.
The Guardians of the Revolution Women’s Branch showed Marjane how society wanted her to be. The Guardians of the Revolution wanted Marjane to dress and act just like them. If someone failed to conform to the rules, they were automatically punished by the government. When Marjane wore her jean jacket and Nike sneakers, she was confronted by the women and they called her a “whore”. To have so much authority, The Guardians of the Revolution treated women very poorly. Instead of sticking together during this difficult time, they decided to enforce the rules of the strict dress code upon other women. The women lived under the same rules and laws however, they chose to enforce their views on other women.
In Persepolis, there were several feministic actions that occurred in women such as removing veils, participating in demonstrations, breaking stereotypes and rebelling in discrete ways. During the novel, women constantly fought for their freedom and opposed the veil while other women supported the veil. Demonstrations began to break out, and women began to fight for or against the veil. Also, many fearless women began to remove their veils in protest against the Iranian regime for their freedom. They were willing to risk their lives for the freedom they wanted.
In conclusion, Satrapi uses real life experiences throughout Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by using the veil, significant figures, education and feministic actions to convey the theme of feminism in a misogynic society. From those influences, Satrapi’s becomes a feminist herself because of what she has experienced. Satrapi learns how to stand up for herself, defends herself, develop her own identity and sense of the world around her.
