In Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis¸ perceptions of normal culture vary according to how people are raised. Although Marji describes her Iranian culture as one that degrades its citizens, she also recalls being treated with respect. “Brother and sister are the terms used in Iran by the representatives of the law to give orders to people, without offending them” (Satrapi 246). While Marji was called ‘sister’ at the Iranian airport to preserve her dignity, she was disrespected simultaneously. The term was meant to distract her from the sexism she dealt with when commanded to fix her veil.
Did Marji’s identity crisis root from Iranian oppression of women? I think it did. When Marji returned to Iran from Europe, she was immersed in a culture that degraded women. She was surrounded by traditionalists. Even though Marji’s parents disagreed with the teachings of their culture, it was normal in Iran for women to be treated poorly. I think Marji temporarily destroyed her life with drugs because she was living up to the expectation that Iranian women were inferior to men. The veil symbolized society’s lack of appreciation of Marji. I think that the belittlement of women in Iran prevented Marjane from recognizing her self-worth; therefore, she concealed her potential behind the veil and her self-pity.
I agree with you, Shannon. They show discrimination throughout the whole book. People, in general, treated Iranians with disrespect, but they treat women even worse. Women cannot even run without being questioned. The guards asked, “Madam, why were you running?” (Satrapi 301) and Marji replied, “I’m very late! I was running to catch my bus” (Satrapi 301). They told her running is not what women should do. Although women had many rules to follow, the men did not.
ReplyDeleteI also agree when you said, “I think Marji temporarily destroyed her life with drugs because she was living up to the expectation that Iranian women were inferior to men.” I think this is true because most of her friends were boys and they did drugs. She did drugs to feel accepted. She even went so far as to change her look completely. This action reminds one of the women wearing drapes and veils back in Iran because they all looked the same. Instead of being part of a group, she felt she had to look like them too.
Shannon and Andrea, I agree that there is a clear gender discrimination in the Iranian culture. Unlike men, Iranian women face stricter rules and punishments. However, I disagree that this discrimination is the root of Marji's identity crisis. In fact, I believe Marji becomes a stronger person as a result of dealing with sexism. Throughout her life, Marji defends herself against her sexist mistreatment. When male government officials scold Marji for running, she retorts, "then stop looking at my ass" (Satrapi 301). In addition, when a male asks Marji her prostitution fee, she throws a coca-cola can in his face. Through gender discrimination, Marji becomes a stronger woman.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I also agree that Marji's drug use contributed to her identity crisis. But I do not agree that Marji used drugs "because she was living up to the expectation that Iranian women were inferior to men." If the majority of her male friends used drugs, then Marji is showing her sexual equality. Therefore, her identity crisis is not the result of her drug use. Instead, Marji’s identity crisis is the result of the combined psychological effects of marijuana, cigarettes, and pills. This large quantity of drugs causes Marji to feel depressed, which ultimately leads her to question her identity.