Language Barrier

Humbert Humbert, of Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, uses language as a barrier to disguise what is actually happening in the novel. The language Nabokov uses to open the novel as Humbert speaks foreshadows unusual events that will occur, or have occurred, in the novel. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury . . . Look at this tangle of thorns" (Nabokov 9). Without any other knowledge of the book, the reader can detect something will happen that will confuse the reader.

Although Humbert openly admits to his bad behavior, he is still able to cover up the fact that he has done wrong in the first place due to his word choice. Had this feature of language been included, the crimes Humbert has committed would be more obvious. So instead the reader feels bad for Humbert upon hearing of his mother's death while he was a child.

When Humbert talks about getting erections from the young women he meets, he coats it so that the reader pictures the happening to be romantic. "Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins" (Nabokov 9). The way Humbert dresses up the words by hiding what is happening on the surface, gives the quote a romantic feel to what is occurring. When Humbert talks about the first time he and Annabel try to have sex, he says, "Her legs, her lovely live legs, were not too close together, and when my hand located what it sought, a dreamy and eerie expression, half-please, half-pain, came over those childish features" (Nabokov 14). Humbert is able to make the scene sound like an enchanting affair.

Edits

All the edits to your paper are sent out now. If you have any questions I will check my e-mail one last time tomorrow at 10pm. I hope your vacation is going well. Remember your paper must be submitted online by midnight of April 26th. Any questions - please e-mail me. When we return, we start our last book Lolita.

Appreciation

After reading Persepolis, I found the contrast of Iranian culture and American culture to be quite interesting and accurate. I learned about Iranian culture and at the same time I saw my own culture in a new and intriguing point of view. The many stereotypes of Iranian culture such as all middle eastern people being terrorists, or seeing the veil and strict culture as an extreme form of religion, seemed ignorant and foolish after truly understanding part of the culture in Persepolis. In the beginning of the novel I was intrigued by Marjane's way of life; I was taken aback by her struggles, daily routine, and maturity. As the novel progressed, I began to feel the same way as Marjane. As she felt ashamed for her own culture I felt ashamed of mine. To have read about living during a time of war under such strict rules and oppression made me look at my own life in a different way. Living in American culture, I take many of my freedoms for granted. Marjane lived during a time of war, and it was a war that took place on her own land, and at times, right next door from her home. In American culture we see devastation and hear about it on television but it is not as much of a reality for us. Persepolis gave insight into a new culture and made me appreciate my own.

What I found interesting about Marjane and her life in Iran, was the fact that she needed to constantly question what she was doing, in fear of the government and getting killed, and then also question whether or not what she was doing was right or wrong in her own opinion. For myself, I walk around never having to question either of those. I don't walk around in fear of the government, and I don't walk around questioning it either. Marjane's life in Iran is one extreme, and life in American culture is the other. I think some people, myself included, are ignorant and take for granted the life we have because we do not live in an area such as Iran. Shouldn't we be questioning our government more? And shouldn't we be more conscious and aware of our life and the freedoms we have? We should appreciate the fact that we do not have to worry about fighting for our freedoms and protecting our lives daily, and stop to question what may be wrong or right.

Negative Portrayal

Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis draws an interesting analysis of the identity and culture by depicting the perspective of young Iranian girl. Because of the unfamiliar culture that was forced upon her, Marjane struggles to adapt herself into different identity. And her struggles and her perspective as a distinctive Iranian girl portray the western culture with negative image. In Iran, Marjane depicts the western culture as a symbol of resistance, freedom, and fashion. As a typical Iranian girl in Iran, the western culture is what differentiates Marjane from others. But as she goes to Austria, the portrayal of the western culture dramatically shifts.

In Austria, what differentiates Marjane from others in Iran becomes ordinary, but the factors that are ordinary in Iran become what differentiate Marjane from others in Austria. The symbol of resistance, freedom, and fashion changes to the symbol of commonness in Austria. Since Marjane cannot find another way to accept the western culture in Austria, the western culture becomes unfamiliar, which is shown through the change of atmosphere in the book. As she grows, the unfamiliarity of the western culture overwhelms her and puts her into a serious dilemma. And the dilemma ultimately results Marjane to draw the western culture with negative conception since she remembers more hardships in Austria than comfort.

If her experience in Austria was more enjoyable, the negative image of western culture that Marjane depicts might be drawn with more positive atmosphere.

Inaccurate Generalizations

In Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, Marji struggled with the culture that was forced upon her.  Her role as the protagonist implies that people with more traditional views are abnormal, even though religious and political preferences vary greatly in Iran.  “Persepolis also demonstrates that there is no such thing as a pure Iranian identity by illustrating that the revolutionary claim for a return to a pure Islamic past is just as problematic as the call for a return to a pure Persian, in other words, secular, tradition” (Naghibi 245).  The graphic novel describes Iranian culture from Marjane’s point of view, which causes the misconception that her opinions are shared by the majority of Iranians.

Does Persepolis give significant insight into the life of the ‘typical’ Iranian?  I do not think it does.  Marjane’s experiences are interesting, yet they cannot be used to make accurate generalizations about Iranian culture as a whole, or about Iranian individuals.  Marji’s parents were unusually brave.  Their modern outlook on life, combined with Marjane’s opportunity to travel outside of Iran, made her incomparable to other Iranians.  I think that Marji’s life can educate people about Persian culture, but Marjane’s abnormal experiences preclude her from representing all Iranians.

We Only Get the Outside View

I know that I, especially after 9/11, have the tendency to categorize all people of Middle Eastern ethnicity as terrorist. I also tend to think of these people as being super religious that want to wear their veils all the time. My opinion was definitely changed after reading Persepolis. On the bottom of page 304 there is a picture with the quote, "The more time passed, the more I became conscience of the contrast between the official representation of my country and the real life of the people, the one that went on behind the wall." I think this picture really proves that most people have a set image of all Iranian people in their mind, when in reality we know nothing about anyone from that country. People in Iran have the same interests as Americans, and hate the extremist just as much as Americans, and people of other cultures do. The news does a great job of covering up the real culture of Iran. From the book I have to come realize that people that live in Iran do like to have fun and go to parties just like people of any other culture. These people have jobs and work just as hard as everyone else to be successful. People from Iran are always stereotyped just because of where they are from. Persepolis did a great job of showing the full picture of the life of Iranians. From the news one can only see what the Iranian government wants us to see, but Persepolis introduces us to the real life of an Iranian person.

Myself in Persepolis

When I first started to read Persepolis, I directly knew that this is the book that I will enjoy reading, because this book was related to the culture and myself. To the European or American, foreign culture must be unfamiliar. When I first came to America to study, I was in the international school before I came to the Albertus Magnus High School. In there, I realized that they totally had no idea about the Korean culture. They were even confused me as Japanese or Chinese. Even though people could see the cultural differences, because a lot of international students started to come to America or Europe to study recently, however, at the time Marjane went to Austria, there were not a lot of international students.

It must be hard to Marjane to fit in European culture at the young age. When she first left to the Austria, I totally could understand what Marjane felt. Marjane said, “Now I had a real independent adult life. I was going to feed myself, do my own laundry” (Satrapi 159). This is the exact feeling that I felt when I first came to America. Without mom, I believed my life will be free and I am an independent adult. However, it was not what I imagined. Even though I was with my brother, I felt lonely without my parents. My guardian was not my mother, and she never took care of me as my mother does. Probably if I was not with my brothers, it must be hard to live in foreign country without mom.

Because I knew how hard it is, I could understand Marjane when she spent few months on the street. It is important to have someone to trust and lean on as sibling or parents. Probably, Marcus was only one to trust as a sibling or parents in her life in Austria. As soon as Marjane lost him, it should be end of the world to her. With no one, in the foreign country, it is cruel to fight all difficulties alone. Marjane needed someone to be with her. This could be the reason why Marjane kept looking for love before she met the Marcus.

To be independent and to be free, it is important to experience the life without parents. However, I and Marjane experienced it too quickly. I could see myself in this book. No one can blame Marjane being immature in Austria. People should experience how it feels. It is sorrow, cruel and lonely to be alone in foreign country.

Bad Parenting

While reading the final pages of Persepolis, many things stuck out in my mind as unusual or strange. The most unusual occurrence was Marjane’s father in regards to her marriage. I found it very strange that Marjane’s father had given the couple his blessing to be married even though he knew the marriage would fail. If he knew that their marriage would not work why would he allow his daughter to make such a huge mistake? I feel that if his motives were to teach his daughter to realize her mistakes, then he is completely wrong. From what I have learned from Persepolis, religion is a big part of Iranian culture. Marriage is looked at as sacred and serious. It should not be taken lightly. Especially in such a religiously influenced culture. By letting Marjane marry Raza just so she can get a divorce is bad parenting on Marjane’s father’s part. Marjane went through times of pain when her and her husband fought. Why would a father want his daughter to feel that kind of pain? What good came out of marrying someone who you will eventually divorce? “He wanted me to realize by myself that Raza and I were not made for each other” (Satrapi 313). I find that his way of “helping” Marjane with life in general was wrong. He was not acting like a good father. He could have prevented his daughter from suffering. Instead he wanted to make her realize things for herself. Her fathers decision was a poor and bad decision as a father.

Maturity Over Time?

After finishing Persepolis, I do not believe that Marjane matured as the story progressed. In the beginning of the novel, I believed that Marjane was a highly intelligent child who could develop into an intellectual adult. Upon leaving Iran for the first time, Marjane showed her immaturity. By making poor decisions on boyfriends, and not being able to last in Europe, in a life of "luxury"Marjane proves she was more mature as a child. Without the guidance of her family, and most importantly her grandma, Marjane is lost.

The most obvious immature decision made by Marjane was to proceed in marrying Reza. Because she has doubt in their relationship, this should be a hint not to marry him. Because nobody flat out told her not to marry Reza, she makes an immature decision and decides to spend the rest of her life with a man she has only known for two years. Also, she does not know enough about Reza, for they are forbidden to be together in public, and when they do spend time together it is on the others' couch. Because of Marjane's numerous poor decisions in Persepolis II, I believe that as a child Marjane was more mature in her decision making process than she is now as a married adult.

Re-evaluating the Iranian culture

Persepolis is about Marjane Satrapi's accounts on what was happening during the time of the Islamic Revolution. I believe it is a sad story, humorous at times, but it's also touching, inspiring, and most definitely thought provoking. In fact, the novel, along with the film, has made me look at my own perceptions of the Middle East, its culture, and the people who live there. After finishing the novel, I have done some serious re-evaluation on the Middle Eastern culture, which I believe is the primary point of the novel. As Americans, we are completely unaware of the Iranian culture. Whenever one hears that someone is from the Middle East, or sees someone dressed with a veil, the thought of them being a terrorist enters the mind. Although it is wrong, it is something that has become natural defense to us after September 11^th. I believe the underlying message in Satrapi’s novel is to re-evaluate her culture and show that not all the civilians agree with the war and what is going on.

It's strange to get a glimpse of life in a culture that seems so closed off from us, but that's exactly what Satrapi sets out to provide. She not only has the point of view of a native Iranian, but that of an outsider in Western culture, and it's that viewpoint which she tries to show. It's a chance for a Western audience to see beyond 'the veil' of Iranian culture and see the sorts of real people that live there, as well as a chance to view Western culture through the eyes of an outsider. The people depicted in Persepolis are basically the same sorts of people you'd find anywhere in the world, except with a veil on their head and more severe rules to abide by. It is, above everything else, a humanistic story, and I admire that she chose to write about her experience and share it with the world.

Love or Necessity

After reading The Exam, I've come to realize Marjane's emotional and physical difficulties. Throughout Persopolis, Marjane has faced several ups and downs. A positive experience may include the stress free environment in Vienna and the new friends she meets. However, Marjane is not happy with who she has become. Many things have occurred which have made her feel anxious, worried, and filled with agony. Back at Iran, Marjane continues to feel this depression take a toll of her. She makes a few decisions in her life. Aside from the change of her physical appearance, Marjane is also focused on who she will give her heart out to. Her previous relationships did not work the way she had wanted. She felt lonely with no one to lean on. Finally, she meets Reza. Reza seems to be the one who will free her from all the negatives within her.

The relationship that is created with between Reza and Marjane seems to be a happy one. There are no arguments, nor are there any trust issues. They pass a difficult exam and are ready to plan their future. With all this happening to Marjane, I began to wonder what Marjane is really feeling. Does she actually love him or is she blinded by the presence of someone? Since her previous relationships went down the hill, Marjane seems to be depending on men for support and to feel less lonely. Could it be love? After everything she has gone through, could she be able to love right away after all chaos? Marjane may only need someone to comfort her and be by her side. They are complete opposites, but it does not bother them. Marjane believes he is the one for her.

Love or necessity, Marjane fears rejection. I began to question whether or not Marjane is accustomed to the love life she has confronted. If she is, then she knows she cannot lose one more guy. If she is not, then she is trying something new. Even though this is the author's story she is telling, there are many assumptions that can be brought up because of everything going on. Marjane is a young girl who has lived through suffering and many new experiences. Anything can happen.

Gender Discrimination

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.

Popular Culture Similarities

While reading Persepolis, I was surprised that I related to Marji’s life. Miles away, Iran is a foreign world to the average American. However, there are several similarities between Iranian and American culture. Similar to Americans, Iranians also embrace popular music and fashion trends. Through Marji’s first-hand perspective, the reader gains insight into these cultural similarities.

Rising into adolescence, Marji wants to fit-in with other children her age. As a result, she embraces popular culture trends such as punk rock, denim, Nikes, Iron Maiden, and Kim Wilde. Marji’s desire to be socially accepted reflects an American child’s similar desire. Whether American or Iranian, all young adults desire to be hip and trendy. During puberty, this is a child’s natural inclination. Culture does not restrict popular trends.

The graphic novel’s insightful frames provide the reader with visual support. By viewing the pictures, the reader can fathom American and Iranian similarities. If a person simply reads the descriptions, there is less of an impact. Frames aid a person’s comprehension. I would not have been able to visualize an Iranian girl in Nikes, a denim jacket and an Islamic veil. But through Satrapi’s insightful frames, I realized that Americans are similar to the Iranians. Without Marji’s first hand perspective, one cannot fully fathom their cultural similarities.

Iranian Culture in Persepolis

Compared to the books we read for Existentialism, Persepolis, is a much more enjoyable read. It takes place during the Islamic Revolution. Not only is it entertaining to read, it gives us the history of the Iranian culture. In the modern Unites States, people look down upon people of Iranian descent or people who live in Iran. Currently, Iranians are stereotyped as bad people. Women are known to cover their heads with veils and men are known not to shave. If one thinks of a person of Iranian descent, they think of them as a terrorist. They do not realize most Iranian people are innocent. Iranians are typically discriminated against at airport security because by racial profiling, they might have a bomb. People forget that not all people of Iranian descent are terrorists and that they should be treated with respect.

While reading Persepolis, one comes to the realization that Iran was not always the way it is now. It was once a country similar to the modern United States. Before the war and revolution, Iran was attempting to modernize. The story of Marji shows how Iran went from being modern to fundamentalist. If a person did not change their way of life, they would either be harassed or killed. They were forced to change their way of life through the upheaval of the government.

Responses to Persepolis

I hope everyone is finding the reading of Persepolis to be as interesting as I do. Coming off of Existentialism, this certainly feels like a breath of fresh air. Remember to always take your time in reading Persepolis. It is important to remember that there are two things happening on the page at one time, and this can be a bit trickier than one might think.

So for many of you, this is the first time you are reading a graphic novel. I would love to hear anyone's reactions (newcomers or not). I personally love this story. I think Marji is an incredibly likable and interesting child. I think her conversations are interesting and ultimately I feel Marji has a more truthful response to the world than the adults around her.