Blog Post 14: The sheep and the key
Answer the following prompt. Use at least six specific
pieces of information total and at least three
specific pieces of information no one
has yet used in their blog posts, ONLY from pages 54-102 of Persepolis, with a page citation for each; also, use at least 300 words in your answer.
1) How has the revolution's turn to the Islamic Republic changed the life of Satrapi (the author)? How does the war with Iraq change her life? How did these violent changes alter ordinary life for others Iranians as well?
1) How has the revolution's turn to the Islamic Republic changed the life of Satrapi (the author)? How does the war with Iraq change her life? How did these violent changes alter ordinary life for others Iranians as well?
The first way the turn to the Islamic Republic has changed the life of Satrapi is that her social life has become different. Beginning on page 63, Satrapi’s friends begin to depart to the United States in search of a different life. “He’s going to the United States! To the United States? Why? My parents say it’s impossible to live under an Islamic regime…” (63). To any child, a friend moving can alter one’s future like it did Satrapi’s. Another way the Islamic Republic changed Satrapi’s life is that the universities closed crushing her dream to become a scientist. “No more university, and I wanted to study chemistry. I wanted to be like Marie Curie. And so another dream went up in smoke” (73).
ReplyDeleteThe war with Iraq changed Satrapi’s life in different ways as well. First, I believe the war strengthened Satrapi’s desire to fight for her beliefs and the well-being of others, like in the first section. “The second invasion in 1400 years! MY blood was boiling. I was ready to defend my country against the Arabs who kept attacking us. I wanted to fight” (79). Rather than changing her (at first), the war with Iraq pushed Satrapi to become more patriotic. The second way Satrapi’s life changed was during school when all her lesson plans were “interrupted” with events of the war. Satrapi was no doubt a patriot but one could only think about the war so much. “I too tried to think only of life. However, it wasn’t always easy: at school, they lined us up twice a day to mourn the war dead. They put on funeral marches, and we had to beat our breasts” (95).
The violent changes altered ordinary life for other Iranians including her own family. On page 88, her father started to lose his temper once he realized gas would be shorted for his car. At the beginning of the book, Satrapi’s family seemed to be the “ideal” family and even the war had an effect on the best. “Jerry cans? Why? Why do you think? To make strawberry soda!!! Don’t talk to my mother like that! Every morning I have to drive 40 miles so that you can have a peaceful life. How am I going to do that with no car?” (88). The other way violent changes changed the life of others was seen was Satrapi and her family went into the grocery store. “My neighbor even said she heard that their women are prostituting themselves. No dignity at all! Soon it won’t just be food. With all those sluts out there, we’re going to have to watch our husbands” (93). Clearly, the violent changes have forced women to talk badly about their own people and what they are saying is also shameful.
As it becomes apparent that the revolution to overthrow the Shah will institute an Islamic republic, Satrapi must part with many family members who flee to the United States (64). The irony of this is that although they had lived under a repressive ruler and then suffered through the revolution, the final straw was the institution of a theocratic government. However, it soon becomes apparent that they were right to fear this regime more than any other. Soon Satrapi's family and family friends start to be executed for their communist ideologies such as Moshen (65) and even Satrapi's beloved uncle Anoosh (70). And although it was never truly safe for Satrapi to demonstrate her political tendencies, it is even more dangerous now as fundamentalists beat demonstrators who refuse to wear the veil. As Satrapi explains "That was our last demonstration" (76). Although many Iranians had struggled against the Shah, these changes show that what replaced his government was far worse (at least for those who were not fundamentalists).
ReplyDeleteThe war, at first, gave Iranians like Satrapi a reason to stand behind their country. Imprisoned pilots were released and even convinced the government to play the Iranian national anthem which had been banned (83). Satrapi's father, who seems disillusioned by now, actually celebrates with Satrapi when they hear of Iranian retaliation against Iraq, showing how patriotism was sparked by the war despite the change in the government (84). However, the effect wears off as the situation became dire and the fundamentalist government recruits teenage boys for the military on promises of paradise, horrifying many ordinary citizens (101). Similarly, when the schools begin demanding shows of patriotism and reverence for martyrs, the schoolchildren and even their parents do not take it seriously (97-98). These instances show that although the war originally sparked patriotism, it did not create loyalty toward the new Islamic regime. The pride that had affected people like Satrapi and her father did not last as the war dragged on and the situation became desperate. With time the war also broke down any solidarity that had existed as people fled to Tehran to escape the bombings and supplies became scarce. In the supermarket, Satrapi's family hears women degrading southerners and refugees for coming into the city and taking up all the supplies (93).
Both of these major changes-a new Islamic government and a deadly war-drastically changed and destabilized daily life in Iran especially for those who were not devoutly Islamic. They also created division among the people along geographic and religious lines and somehow made political dissent even more dangerous than it had been under the Shah.
Satrapi’s life has changed significantly because of the revolution’s turn to the Islamic Republic in many ways. Many people that are close to her family have been murdered in their own homes for no particular reason. “My mother was right to believe it was murder… when they found his body only his head was underwater.” (65) Because of these rising problems of danger, many of her friends and part of her family left for the United States. They left for protection because they know these changes are causing so much danger. (64) Satrapi asked her parents if they should leave as well but her father continues to say as things and violence increase, “Everything will be alright.” (66)
ReplyDeleteThe war with Iraq has changed her life in many aspects. She is so angry with the world and what is happening in her country that she yells at God and tells Him she never wants to see him again, meaning that her faith has taken a drastic change. (70) Shortly after the war has started, they announce on TV that they are closing all colleges because they need to make changes because, “it is better to have no students at all than educate future imperialists.” (73) Satrapi becomes very angry because she had dreams to study chemistry and those dreams were just destroyed. Another aspect that has changed her life is the way women are required to dress. Her mother was yelled at and insulted by men because they said her hair is distracting and will cause men to do bad things to her if she refuses to wear a veil and cover her body. (75) Not only is Satrapi required to wear a veil as well but everyone around her has taken on a specific uniform attire.
These violent changes have caused ordinary life to completely change for Iranians. When Satrapi goes to the market with her family, a lot of the food is taken as well as she sees two women fighting over food and insulting each other because the war has caused people to turn against each other. (87) Satrapi’s father also becomes very violent and angry when he realizes that he is not allowed to get extra gasoline for his car because there will not be enough. This leads to him yelling at his wife which we have never seen before in the novel until this point. (88) Satrapi’s cousins come to live with her after there house has been demolished from the random bombings which changes her at home dynamic and requires her to take her little cousins under her wing and have them move in to their home while they try to rebuild their lives. (91)
Satrapi’s life is changed very quickly by both the Islamic Republic and Iran’s war with Iraq. In the revolution’s turn to the Islamic Republic, Satrapi loses two of her heroes. She meets her uncle and then loses him just as quickly. For example, in a panel on page 70, Satrapi says, “That was my last meeting with my beloved Anoosh” (70). Her uncle had quickly become one of her heroes and then is locked away in prison and executed. Satrapi also learns that another one of her heroes, their family friend Mohsen, has been murdered. For example, Satrapi says, “My mother was right to believe it was murder… when they found his body, only his head was underwater” (65). Satrapi loses her heroes and also much of her family leaves for the United States. The Iraq war also significantly changed Satrapi’s life. Her family is forced to deal with major side effects of the war such as a shortage of food and gas. For example, a worker at a gas station tells the Satrapi family, “It’s a huge mess! Iraq bombed the refinery at Abadan” (88). The Satrapi family is also forced to open their home to some family friends whose house was destroyed in a bombing. For example, Satrapi’s mother says, “Ok, here you go. Your bed is ready. Our home is your house. The kids can sleep in Marji’s room” (91). The whole of Iran is changed due to the war with Iraq as well as the internal struggles in the country. Tensions between the people of Iran increase, and Satrapi’s family friend Mali explains it perfectly when she says, “To have the Iraqis attack, and to lose in an instant, everything you had built over a lifetime, that’s one thing… but to be spat upon by your own kind, it is intolerable” (93). The government also forces many very young Iranian men to be sent to the front lines. For example, Satrapi explains what was happening with these young men when she says, “The key to paradise was for poor people. Thousands of young kids, promised a better life, exploded on the minefields with their keys around their necks” (102).
ReplyDeleteSatrapi’s life has changed drastically because of the revolution’s turn to the Islamic Republic in many ways. Many people that are close to her family have been murdered in their own homes for no reason. “My mother was right to believe it was murder… when they found his body only his head was underwater.” (65) The satire of this is that although they had lived under a repressive ruler and then suffered through the revolution, the final straw was the institution of a theocratic government. However, it soon becomes apparent that they were right to fear this regime more than any other. Soon Satrapi's family and family friends start to be executed for their communist ideologies such as Satrapi's beloved uncle Anoosh (70). Another way the Islamic Republic changed Satrapi’s life is that the universities closed crushing her dream to become a scientist. “No more university, and I wanted to study chemistry. I wanted to be like Marie Curie. And so, another dream went up in smoke” (73).
ReplyDeleteThe war with Iraq has changed her life in many aspects. She is so angry with the world and what is happening in her country that she yells at God and tells Him she never wants to see him again, meaning that her faith has taken a drastic change. (70) Shortly after the war has started, they announce on TV that they are closing all colleges because they need to make changes because, “it is better to have no students at all than educate future imperialists.” (73) However, the situation became dire as the fundamentalist government recruit teenage boys for the military on promises of paradise, horrifying many ordinary citizens (101).
These major changes a new Islamic government and a deadly war-drastically changed and deteriorated daily life in Iran especially for those who were not devoutly Islamic. They also created division among the people along geographic and religious lines and somehow made political opposition even more dangerous than it had been under the Shah. When Satrapi goes to the market with her family, a lot of the food is taken as well as she sees two women fighting over food and insulting each other because the war has caused people to turn against each other. (87) Her father started to lose his temper once he realized gas would be shorted for his car. At the beginning of the book, Satrapi’s family seemed to be the “ideal” family and even the war had a negative influence on the higher class. (88)
The change to the Islamic Republic brought about sudden and severe changes to Satrapi’s life. The women of Iran were forced to wear the veil and many changes were made to the form of dress for both women and men (74-75). For Satrapi, it seems she saw herself living a “false” life and being told to lie about praying during the day (75). The leadership of the new regime sought to keep people in ignorance by closing the universities, censoring books and what was taught in regular school classrooms (73). Satrapi was distressed over the fear she would no longer be allowed to go to college to study chemistry like Marie Curie, but rather would be forced to marry and bear children instead (73). Once the war with Iraq began, life as she knew it, was shaken to its core. With all the fighter pilots in prison, she feared Iran could not properly defend itself or attack Saddam Hussein (82). Food became scarce as refugees from other cities flooded in for shelter and it became an “every man for himself” situation. Gasoline became scarce as well when the Iraqis bombed the refinery in Abadan (88). The unity of spirit had not been lost however, when the girls stood up to the teacher at school and they were all expelled for one week. Their solidarity stood strong, even at their young age. When their maid came to their home crying about her son, her mother stepped in to talk to the maid’s son and convince him not to go to fight, which shows their family’s belief of a free Iran was still very much real and active. Satrapi became acquainted with suffering and loss at a very early age and it is clear this shaped her idea of what lie ahead for her as she grew up and who God was to her through all this suffering. Her anger at God grew and she threw Him out of her life after the execution of her uncle, Anoosh (70). Satrapi and I are the same age and I remember when the U.S. hostages were taken; however, I did not fully understand all that was happening in Iran at the time. At 10 years old, I was not prepared to understand it all and I cannot imagine what it must have been like for her to have her home and way of life completely upended. Her strong family and their determination to survive helped her most, in my opinion. She was a very strong-willed young lady!
ReplyDeleteThe revolution’s turn to the Islamic Republic has impacted the life of Satrapi significantly. Although there is a shift in her life there is a shift throughout the loves of her friends and family as well. This in turn affect Satrapi as well. Due to the danger that was arising many of Satrapi’s friends and family fled the country “After my friend’s departure, a good part of my family also left the country.” (64) This caused a shift in Satrapi’s life because her mom began to think about there departure as well. “ Maybe we should leave too…” (64). Although there was much change happening around her, her father was very optimistic “My friend Kaveh left for the United States too.” (64) Said Satrapi, but her father answered “Don’t worry. Everyone who left will come back. They’re just afraid of change.” (64) There was much turmoil spreading through the city “ MURDERS! MURDERS!” Satrapi cried when she found out that Mohsen had been killed. There revolution was taking a hard toll on the family. The was in Iraq really impacts Satrapi her uncle leaves without saying goodbye to her and she is extremely distraught. She keeps asking questions and even refuses to eat. “What? Wasn’t he supposed to come?... I’m not hungry” (67). As the war continued Anoosh was murdered and things became more and more dark for Satrapi “SHUT UP, YOU! GET OUT OF MY LIFE!!! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!” (70) She is screaming at God, and seems to have lost her faith. The violent changes that happened also affected people besides Satrapi. Innocent people we attacked “Two guys… two bearded guys!... Two fundamentalist bastards… the bastards they…They insulted me. They said women like me should be pushed up against a wall and fucked. And then thrown in the garbage….and that if I didn’t want that to happen I should wear the veil…”(74). This just goes to show the type of indecent behaviors people were experiencing during the Islamic Republic uprising. Individuals were being forced to conform, and act a certain way just so they could feel safe in their own country.
ReplyDeleteHeather Penna
ReplyDeleteMarjane Satrapi faces many changes throughout the Revolution. The revolutions turn to the Islamic Republic effects Satrapi in many ways. First and Foremost, for the first time in her life, she is forced to cover her head (pg.75). Satrapi tries to fight this new law with her mother during a protest, and she witnesses intense physical violence for the first time (pg.76). Satrapi’s once very strong faith, turns to disbelief in God (pg. 70-71). She cannot handle what is going on her around and thinks that if the Islamic Republic is what her religion looks like, then she could not believe in it.
Satrapi faces all new challenges during the war with Iraq. She is now in actual danger. Bombings are occurring all around her (pg. 83). School work changes from educational to preparing for war (pg. 97). At the end of this section of the reading, Satrapi has fellow schoolmates dying in the name of war (pg. 102).
Almost every aspect of this war changed her life, as well as the lives of the other Iranians. Stores ran out of food (pg. 87), gas stations ran out of gas (pg.88), and life was completely different for everyone. School looked exceptionally different. As the girls were making war goods, boys were learning to fight. They were brainwashed into believing that what dying for their cause would be much better than the life they were living. Mothers were separated from their young boys with only promise that their sons will be in heaven to show for it (pg.99). The war had devasting effects across the board. Life changed for everyone living in Iraq at the time. Even the youngest of children were facing the horrible consequences of the war and Islamic Republic. There was no escape for anyone during this time.
The revolution’s turn to the Islamic Republic changed the life of Satrapi greatly. For example, Satrapi’s family, along with friends, left the country to go to the United States (64). She also is being exposed to many horrors of war such as “murderers” killing her parents’ friends (65). Occurrences like this cause her to become very sad and mad at what is happening in the world. With people surrounding her dying, it causes her to lose her apatite because she is so distraught over it all (67). In the first half of the book, she was very close to God and would always ask for Him to be with her, but with all of the violence happening around her, it causes her to develop a strained relationship with Him claiming that she wants Him “out of (her) life” (70).
ReplyDeleteAfter the war with Iraq began, she began to question her future dreams. She no longer thought that she would be able to become a scientist because universities and schools were shutting down, so “another dream went up in smoke” (73). She also has to learn how to lie and say that she prays dozens of times a day when people ask what she has been doing (75). Eventually this act of lying became easy to her. This war not only changed her, but everyone around her was changing as well. Her mother, for example, decides that Satrapi should start coming to the meetings because she has to begin defending herself as a woman, when in the past, she would never allow her daughter to come along because of how dangerous it is (76). It also caused havoc in grocery stores because they were all low on food. People would fight and take more than they needed, causing families to become angry. Some of Satrapi’s family friends had to flee from their homes and stay with them until they sold enough jewelry to leave (90). At Satrapi’s school, they were summoned to make clothes for soldiers, decorate for memory events and train to be soldiers. The girls making everything for the soldiers began laughing at everything and taking them less seriously, while the boys were brainwashed into becoming soldiers.
Ashton Peckinpah
ReplyDeleteSince the Islamic Revolution, Satrapi's life has changed, and maybe not for the better. Everyone around her seems to be dropping like flies (65). This is mainly referring to the several murders that have taken place. Satrapi's family and friends have begun to migrate out of Iran to the United States, "now boarding flight 6702 to Los Angeles Gate 26" (64). Even with the increases in crime and violence, her father continues to be "level-headed" and does not move out. This continues to make Satrapi angry. Satrapi is angry at the world, her family, and God. She even shouts to God "shut up, you! get out of my life!!! I never want to see you again" (70).
After the war has begun, the government begins to make changes within the education system. They announce that they will be shutting down every college because of the political controversy within the society. With this decision made, Satrapi becomes even more infuriated. She will not be able to continue her dream of studying chemistry or any type of science (74). From the beginning of this book, the view on women is very negative. As the story goes on, the view is not changed but the individual women have a different feeling. Satrapi's mother isn't even able to have her hair seen in public, it is seen as seductive to men (75). All of the women are required to wear a veil while doing anything in public. She must be in a uniform, she has not freedom to express herself through how she dresses.
Unfortunately, with change comes seperation, and that is evident when the Iranians begin to control society. They begin to show their communist beliefs through these actions. When tensions rise in the government, crime increase as well as seperation within the community (87). This is quite obvious in a few of the interactions described through pages 86 and 89. Satrapi's family begins to crumble apart the more the government is crumbling apart. Her parent's being to fight more often and take it out on Satrapi at times (89). As all of the community is in complete chaos, war continues. It even begins to filter into all citizen's lives through bombings. Satrapi is so confused and angry at God. She feels like she has to be her own adult when her cousins come to live with her family after the destruction of their house (90). I am very curious to see what will happen next as well as how Satrapi will react and be affected.
Katie Lebo
ReplyDeleteOne of the ways Satrapi’s life has changed due to the turn in the Islamic Republic during the revolution is her social life. Many of her friends and family have moved to the United States in search of a better life and to get away from the danger of the revolution (63). For Satrapi this changed her social life because this was one her closest friends and she really liked this boy. Another aspect of Satrapi’s life that was changed was having to have her whole body covered (75).
The war with Iraq changed her life by changing her relationship with God. In the beginning of the book we see her talking and praying to God very frequently, but now at this point in her life and in the war, she is very angry with him. She gets angry with God on page 70 after seeing that her uncle was executed, and she tells God to “Shut up, you! Get out if my life!!! I never want to see you again!” Her dream of going to a university and getting a quality education was also destroyed because, “it is better to have no students at all than educate future imperialists” (73).
These violent changes ordinary life for other Iranians by causing them to leave the country and go to United States to have a safer life (63). Another example of this is the shortage of food, “Right away, the supermarkets were empty” (87). People were having to fight for the limited food that was there, and they would have to check multiple supermarkets to search for food (87). Satrapi’s cousins also had to live with Satrapi’s family for a little while because of the bombs that destroyed their home (90). This causes tension within the household because Satrapi thinks her cousins are childish and immature.
Tess Song
ReplyDeleteAs the revolution turned to the Islamic Republic it changed the life of Satrapi and her friends as well. One of her peers told her that his parents said that it was “impossible to live under an Islamic regime, it’s better to leave” (63). By leave, he meant leaving for the United States. Satrapi turns around and tells her parents that it may be better to leave for the United States. Her father tells her that “everyone who left will come back” (64). However, things continue to change for Satrapi when Anoosh is arrested. She makes a brave decision to go visit him in a jail despite the harsh period. Satrapi continues to tell herself what her dad says, “everything will be alright” (70). It is seen that Satrapi is angry with God and says, “get out of my life...I never want to see you again” (70)!!! The story continues with the taking over of the U.S. embassy which obstructed Satrapi’s dreams once again. She was convinced there was not going to be anymore “university and [she] wanted to study chemistry…[and] be like Marie Curie” (73).
For the rest of the people, life changed dramatically. For example, Satrapi’s mother was verbally abused by men who told her that “women like [her] should be pushed up against a wall and (expletive) and then thrown in the garage” (74). All of this was told to her because she did not wear the veil that was enforced upon women to wear. Things continued to take toll as violence broke out amongst people everywhere. Specifically, a friend of Satrapi’s, Pardisse, her father was killed and that poor young girl had to sit in a time like this in pain because her father died due to revolution. The young girl wished that her father “were alive and in jail rather than dead and a hero” (86). This revolution has brought pain to young children like her, and all she wanted was her father to be alive.
At this point in the story, we see that there are certain social aspects of the narrator’s life that are changing. In the illustrated panels of page (63), we see that the revolution has brought about a change that many of her friends and their families do not support. They see the only way to escape the rapidly changing country they live in, is to flee Iran and seek a new life in the United States. We’ve noticed how the culture up to this point was rather loose socially and with the Islamic Republic moving into a place of power, they would not be able to live as they once did. There was also a large uprising in the way of anti-communist, Islamic groups that would make people found to be communists disappear. We see this with the family friend Mohsen, who was drowned inside of his tub at his residence. (65) This is an early indication that the way of life that this higher-class family lived, would soon change.
ReplyDeleteThe War with Iraq also changed the face of the country tremendously. Satrapi, of course, was always ready for a fight. While she couldn’t literally fight in the war, she heavily supported the fight to defend her country. (79) It also took her innocence away. The first time that Iraqi planes bombed her family’s area, they didn’t really realize that the bombs being dropped were what was happening. Her mother, for instance, was in the shower and didn’t even notice. The fear that her mother was killed was a sobering moment for her. (81)
In the section labeled, “Jewels”, we see that the bombing took its toll on the amount of food that was going around. On page (87), we see the local women fighting over small parcels of food to try to feed their families. In addition to the food shortages, the oil refineries were also targeted by the Iraqi bombers. This causes a country wide petrol shortage that made life even more difficult. (88)
The war started when Satrapi and her family were off to vacation in Spain and Italy. Before the war, her friends had been leaving to America. “My parents say it’s impossible to live under an Islamic regime, it’s better to leave” Pg. 63. she was sad because she liked a boy that was leaving. “I think I really like this boy” Pg. 63. The dream wasn’t the USA. It was seeing my friend Kaveh” Pg. 72. After the schools shut down, her dreams were crushed of being a scientist. “No more University. And I wanted to study chemistry. I wanted to be like Marie Curie” Pg. 72. Another rule that causes her to change was the veil and having to cover up from head to toe. It changed the public as well when Satrapi and her family see one of their neighbors walking through the streets. “Look at her! Last year she was wearing a miniskirt, showing off her beefy thighs to the whole neighborhood. And now Madame is wearing a chador”. Pg. 75 The public had to pray multiple times a day and Satrapi’s mother told her to lie and tell anyone that asks that she prays. “me? Ten or eleven times… sometimes twelve”. Pg. 75
ReplyDeleteSatrapi wanted to protest and although she had been to one before she went with her mother and witnessed violence. “Im coming too” Pg. 76. She left with her family and never wanted to go again. “That was our last demonstration” Pg. 76. A major issue was how the boys were taught that dying was okay and how heaven is more fun than Disney land. “They told the boys that if they went to war and were lucky to die, this key would get them into heaven” Pg. 99. Satrapis cousin is in the military and says he sees the young boys get brought in on buses every day. “They hypnotize them and just toss them into battle. Absolute Carnage” Pg. 101.
The change in government has affected the life of Satrapi in a very negative way. She seems to have more discomfort, even more anger, just like her father showed when he could not get the gas he needed (88). She has even turned away from God and is angry at him when she tells him, “Shut up, you! Get out of my life!” (70). This shows the drastic change in her from the beginning of the book, where she wanted to be an actual prophet. Another way her life has changed is through her education, after the schools shut down: “it is better to have no students at all than educate future imperialists” (73). The fact that the universities were closed for two years gave her no opportunity to grow her dreams. She discusses how she wanted to be a Chemist “like Marie Curie” (73), and that this has made her dream “go up in smoke” (73). I think a huge change was the danger that every women seems to be in if they do not wear the proper attire, this can be seen when Satrapi’s mother was insulted and pretty much harassed by two men (74). This changes all of society, because people who were once wearing little clothing, like the women who wore mini skirts whom Satrapi’s mom was insulting (75), are now wearing the coverings that they were told to wear. Even Satrapi was then forced to cover her head (75), which she was not for. This change is scary due to the consequences if one does not abide to the new way, The women who were against the new coverings and protested against it were even beaten for it (76). This is an extreme difference in ordinary life from before, where they did not have to worry about what they wore.
ReplyDeleteHannah Fluegel
It is evident that the revolution’s turn to the Islamic Republic has affected Satrapi’s life in many ways. This first seen at the start of page 62 when Satrapi listens in on the political conversations in her house while her Uncle Anoosh is staying with them, “During the time Anoosh stayed with us I heard political discussions of the highest order” (62). Satrapi even voices her own opinion during these discussions, “On tv they say that 99.99% of the population voted for the Islamic Republic. Did you hear that, Anoosh? Do you realize how ignorant our people are? The elections were faked and they believe the results: 99.99%!! As for me, I don’t know a single person who voted for the Islamic Republic. Where did that figure come from? From their asses, that’s where!” (62). From this quote it is clear that Satrapi’s political views are being shaped by both her family and from the TV, what the Islamic Republic wants her to believe. Additionally, Satrapi is affected when she has to say goodbye to a close friend as a result of the war, “My parents say it’s impossible to live under an Islamic regime, it’s better to leave..My dad says nobody realizes the danger” (63). Additionally, Satrapi’s Uncle was taken from their home and arrested, “The truth is, they have arrested Anoosh” (68). Furthermore, Satrapi is also affected by the political situation when she attends a demonstration with her parents and sees a woman getting stabbed in the leg, “SO I went with them. I passed out flyers...when suddenly things got nasty. For the first time in my life, I saw violence with my own eyes. That was our last demonstration” (76). Lastly, Satrapi is affected when her friend’s father dies while in battle. Even at a young age, Satrapi, as a result of the war, knows how to comfort her friend and respond to a tragedy like this one, “Your father acted like a genuine hero, you should be proud of him!” (86). Overall, the Islamic Republic and Iraq war changes Satrapi’s life because she is forced to mature at a young age. Specifically, she has to educate herself about the current political situation and learn how to deal with loss very early in life. This is also true for ordinary Iranians because they are forced to live in a state of political unrest and war or in some situations, uproot their entire family and flee the country.
ReplyDeleteThe revolution in Satrapi’s home land has caused a lot of change in her life. The first example of this is seen when her uncle Anoosh is executed (69). Although Anoosh had not been in the story long, we are instantly made aware of how Satrapi looks up to him as a hero in their first interaction. She calls him a “hero in her family” and expresses how amazed she is by him and his previous accomplishments which includes being arrested (54). Another way that the Revolution’s change to the Islamic Republic has altered Satrapi’s life is that much of her family is fleeing the country to the US (64). She also mentions that a lot of her current friends from school are leaving to the US with their families also. The loss of so many close people can be devastating in itself. To see your own friends and family leave the country in which you have been in for so long must be horrible to go through.
ReplyDeleteThe war has affected Satrapi’s life in several ways. The first way is that the universities were forced to closed (73). This was caused because of the war. This is because the texts and materials used for school need to be re-approved by the leaders of the country to prevent the spread of “future imperialists” (73). Another way is the new enforced dress code. The women were forced to wear a certain outfit to prevent being too provocative and in the same way, the men were too (75). There were certain ways that people would go around this dress code to demonstrate their resistance (75). Because of this new rule, there were riots and when Satrapi went to one of these with her parents, she saw the horrors that it entailed firsthand (76). Seeing these graphic things as a child can really influence the way someone thinks.
The violent changes that came with war were extremely life altering for all of the Iranians. The first example of this is when we see one of Satrapi’s friends before he moves to the US. The boy says that him and his family are moving to the US because it is “impossible to live under an Islamic regime” (63). The last example we see is when one of Satrapi’s classmates, Pardisse, loses her father in the war (85). This has to be detrimental to anyone and the fact that it is directly caused by the war makes it worse.
There’s a very interesting dichotomy to Satrapi’s life change illustrated (quite literally): From a wide view, her whole family has been affected but on a micro-level — even as a kid — her personal life has completely been devastated.
ReplyDeleteOn page 64, she has to watch her friend leave of the United States to flee because “it’s impossible to live under an Islamic regime.” It’s one of the more powerful and enlightening sequences she has to watch a boy she thinks she really *likes* go. In the final panel, she’s on the ground, juxtaposed against the previous frame about Bruce Lee being dead — she’s dead inside. Excuse that bit of film theory, but this is really exciting.
Immediately following Kaveh’s departure, Satrapi’s parents discuss the idea of leaving for the States as well. On page 65, her dad exclaims that those that leave are simply avoiding change and will eventually be back, implying that their lives abroad will be nothing but menial. In this sense, Satrapi’s been taught through the war, that it’s okay to stand still (if not the better option). Even later on the page when a dead body is found in the bathtub, “Everything will be alright.” That’s again repeated on the next page, the exact same frame.
Of course, this is more psychological, but it’s an important development.
Following Anoosh’s imprisonment, she’s given hope that the proletariat will rule one day and take over (65). This is one of the first positive changes, in a scene and page that’s completely dark.
But the future doesn’t hold any immediate good changes, as on page 73, it’s announced that universities will close which strips Satrapi’s dreams of studying chemistry — liberation has moved away, and in place, a conservative rule to label ideology took over which directly puts her life at risk during a demonstration (75).
Dalton Shettle
ReplyDeleteThe Islamic Revolution changed the lives of many when it adopted the ways of the Islamic Republic, but one person it especially affected was Satrapi. One of the things that is initially affected as a result of this is her relationship with her father. On page 62 she says, "On TV they say that 99.99% of the population voted for the Islamic Republic" and then her father says "The elections were faked and they believe the results: 99.99%! As for me, I don't know a single person who voted for the Islamic Republic. Where did that figure come from? From their asses, that's where!" and then Satrapi began to cry (62). Another thing that affected Satrapi as a result of the Islamic Republic taking control was her connection to her friends. As a result of the new leaders, many of Satrapi's friends' families moved away to the United States. Evidence of this is on page 63 and 64 where it says, "He's going to the United States!", "To the United States why?", "My parents say it's impossible to live under an Islamic Regime, it's better to leave.", "After my friend's departure, a good part of my family also left the country" (63-64). When the war with Iraq began this greatly impacted one of Satrapi's big goals; to go to the United States. Her goal was affected because the Iraqi forces took control of the embassy therefore, keeping her from going to the United States. Evidence of this is on page 72 where it says, "They've occupied the U.S. Embassy!!", "Think about it. No embassy, no visa", "So my great dream went up in smoke. I wouldn't be able to go to the United States." (72). In addition to not being able to go to the United States, Satrapi would now not be able to attend a university as a result of the Islamic Republic's control. On page 73 it says, "The ministry of education has decreed that universities will close at the end of the month" (73). The violent changes also affected the Iranian citizens' mode of transportation. On page 73 it says, "You'll see they're actually going to force us to wear the veil and you, you'll have to trade your car for a camel. God, what a backward policy!" (73). Another thing that these violent changes did to the Islamic population was change the way people dressed. On page 75 it says, "In no time, the way people dressed became an ideological sign. There were two kinds of women. The fundamentalist woman. The modern woman. You showed your opposition to the regime by letting a few strands of hair show. There were also two sorts of men. The fundamentalist. The progressive man. Islam is more or less against shaving" (75).
Ryan McConnell
ReplyDeleteThroughout this sections of Persepolis there are many different aspects that affect and change the life of Satrapi. As things escalate in this revolution more and more rights and aspects of her life get taken away. When the fundamentalist students attack the U.S. embassy, Satrapi loses the opportunity to "go to the United States" (72). This devastates her because it is her "greatest dream" to go to the United States (72). Then, not only can she not go to the United States anymore, the Universities in the country get shut down. They government says that "the educational system and what is written in school books, at all levels, are decadent" (73). This makes Satrapi lose hop of one day having the opportunity to "study chemistry" so that she can be a great scientist one day (73). This shows how the government and fundamentalists are slowly taking away some of the freedoms that many citizens have grown accustomed to. They are accustomed to these rights because these are basic rights that people should have and they should be maintained. Then Satrapi loses the ability to dress as she likes. The government decrees that "wearing the vail" was mandatory for women (74). Then when she goes to school she has to lie to her classmates and say that she "prays every day" (74). This is quite ridiculous considering a young girl has to lie about how many times she prays so that her and her family can stay safe. Then, the war with Iraq changes her livelihood even more. Now she has to worry about having the "Iraqis attack" and the possibility of having "everything you had built over a lifetime" destroyed in an instance (93). This is quite a devastating thought to have lurking around your brain constantly. This aspect really goes for all Iranians. Not only do they have to obey a tyrannical government, but then they also have to worry about getting attacked by the Iraqis and have their whole world collapse right before them.
The revolutions turn to the Islamic Republic changed Satrapi’s life in various ways. One of the main changes was that a lot of her family members and people that she knew were starting to flee the country. During this time also is when we find out that Satrapi’s crush was also part of this group that was leaving—he was going to the United States with his family. She states that “after [her] friend’s departure, a good part of [her] family also left the country,” and thoughts of leaving also begin to come up between her and her parents (64). Soon after this, things turned to the worse. Once they arrived home from the airport, Satrapi and her family found out that “Mohsen, [had] been found dead, drowned in his bathtub,” and “after Mohsen, it was Siamak’s turn” (66). A lot of people they knew began either fleeing or dying and Satrapi’s world began turning upside down, especially once she found out that her uncle Anoosh had been arrested. Anoosh had the right to have one visitor, and that visitor was Satrapi. She went to see him and he gave her another bread-swan. Soon after this, Anoosh made newspaper headline which listed “Russian Spy Executed” with his picture beside it (70). Satrapi saw this and from this we begin to see her inner struggle with God also. As the novel progresses, the bombing marks the beginning of the war and with that also more internal struggle for young Marji. “The ministery of education has decreed that universities will close at the end of the month” and with this news unfolding, Marji’s dream of wanting to go to university to study chemistry seemed to slowly begin to fade (73). Not only was her life falling apart, but her dreams were also being erased. When the war with Iraq began, Satrapi writes that “war always takes you by surprise” (81). This statement really shows how when she thought things could not get any worse, than they already were. By this point in the novel, the Iranian national anthem “had been forbidden and replaced by the new government’s Islamic hymn…it had been more than a year since [they’d] heard it… [they] were overwhelmed” when it finally came on television (83). This part of the novel really got to me the most, because it shows how much they really love their country, even with all its flaws (83). War violence affected all Iranians in the war regardless of social and economic classes and even worse, Iranians were also fighting among themselves. Martyrdom had not been out of the norm, but now it was more prominent than ever and children were being affected at an even broader scale. Whether they were told to beat their breasts or being recruited for war based on false promises, childhood was nonexistence regardless of age. “They hypnotize them and just toss them into battle…absolute carnage” (101). This is how children were being treated. The realities of war does not discriminate, it affects everyone.
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