Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis

1074 Words5 Pages
Imagine growing up in chains, living a life of strict rules and harsh punishments, a life in which fear was your closest companion. This is the basic concept explored by Marjane Satrapi in her autobiographical graphic fiction “Persepolis”. Satrapi focuses on her own struggles growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s war with Iraq. Both of these events help establish the setting and create an intensely high cultural climate. “Persepolis” is centered on Iran’s cultural distinctions and offers a symbolic glimpse into American freedom. When compared, Iran and the United States differ greatly in the establishment of religious, political, and social institutions. The biggest contrast between Iran and the United States is the level…show more content…
The philosophies and values of each country evolve from different sources which produce a distinct view of justice. Sharia law is the official body of Islamic law. To many non-Islamic people, the laws seem cruel and unjust. Sharia law derives directly from the Qur’an and uses the moto “an eye for an eye”. Such justice includes “cutting off the hand of a thief, adultery of a woman is punishable by death, and a woman's testimony is worth only half of a man's” (“Sharia Law” 1). Sharia law discriminates against women and places men on a pedestal. It forces strict obligations upon women in order to satisfy their husband. On the contrary, the United States uses the Constitution to ensure a separation between church and state. All aspects of it keep equality in mind to ensure an objective stance on each case. The biggest difference in these two political systems is seen with Marji’s conviction in the story. “Persepolis” explores one of the biggest arguments with the prosecution of children. In the story, Marji is a minor but is threatened to be held by the committee without her parent’s acknowledgement. It goes on to state that her punishment can include a whipping and that any other act deemed acceptable can be administered. The United States has a different system of laws that are used to be correctly enforced upon a juvenile population. Unlike Iran, the United States does not…show more content…
The social acceptance of Iranian values is directly linked to religious acceptance as outlined through in the Qur’an. For this reason, things that Americans would view as a crime are accepted as a connection with Allah. This is evident with leeway granted to Islamic men to rape non-believers with belief of creating a gateway towards Allah (Lima 2 ). This act is debated in an article by New York Times in which a young girl is held as a sex slave. The man’s only defending statement is that the rape is binding him to his God. The act is accepted as legal due to its religious connotations. The man was never tried in a court of law. In contrast, the United States strictly prohibited the rights of individual from crossing the line. Simply stated, your rights end where another person's begin. In the United States rape is rape. There is no loophole to make it accepted regardless of what you believe. “Persepolis” illustrates a more pleasant disagreement. The story offers a window into the strict dress code that is imposed upon Muslim women. This is used to highlight the social acceptance and strict regulations placed upon women. “Persepolis” shows the Women of the Revolution cloaked in long black drapes from head to toe. Marji on the other hand appears dressed in sneakers, jeans, and a jacket. Marji’s outfit is described as a typical American style, but is harshly criticized by
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