Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel detailing the childhood of a young girl growing up in Tehran during the period of the Islamic revolution. 'Marji' is the headstrong only child of middle class parents of Marxist persuasion and who fought against the monarchy of the Shah.
The book begins with a short summary of Persian history, including the CIA organised coup of 1953, which ousted Prime Minister Mossadeq after his government nationalised the oil industry. Daily events in Satrapi's life included attending protests that would often end in violence, arrest and release of family friends from jail and state-sanctioned whippings. The revolution takes a fundamentalist turn and reluctantly she starts wearing a veil. The Shah is ousted but the situation becomes more dangerous for her family as Iraq invades Iran, supported by the western powers.
The book begins with a short summary of Persian history, including the CIA organised coup of 1953, which ousted Prime Minister Mossadeq after his government nationalised the oil industry. Daily events in Satrapi's life included attending protests that would often end in violence, arrest and release of family friends from jail and state-sanctioned whippings. The revolution takes a fundamentalist turn and reluctantly she starts wearing a veil. The Shah is ousted but the situation becomes more dangerous for her family as Iraq invades Iran, supported by the western powers.
Marji's experiences feed her growing political awareness, supplemented by her voracious appetite for reading about Palestine, Cuba, Vietnam and Marxism. Her uncle Anoosh, a communist revolutionary, is arrested, accused for being a spy and ultimately executed for his beliefs. Marji's family begins to worry about her safety and decides to send her to Austria where volume 1 ends. Volume 2 covers here subsequent life in Vienna and then later back in Iran.
Persepolis' direct and emotional black and white drawings both humanise and universalise the events of Iran's recent history. Originally published in French, the largest comics market in the world, it has sold millions of copies, translated into over 10 languages and was made into a film in 2007. It has become a popular text in US middle and high school classrooms, challenging Iranian stereotypes and helping American students understand the west's legacy of imperialism in the middle-east. This in turn has led to calls for it to be banned in some school districts, which have been successfully resisted by supporters.
Persepolis' direct and emotional black and white drawings both humanise and universalise the events of Iran's recent history. Originally published in French, the largest comics market in the world, it has sold millions of copies, translated into over 10 languages and was made into a film in 2007. It has become a popular text in US middle and high school classrooms, challenging Iranian stereotypes and helping American students understand the west's legacy of imperialism in the middle-east. This in turn has led to calls for it to be banned in some school districts, which have been successfully resisted by supporters.
No comments:
Post a Comment