Persepolis: Gender critique

The graphic novel, Persepolis written by Marjane Satrapi, recounts the overthrow of the Shah regime, which becomes known as the Islamic Revolution. The historical events are observed through Marji, whom at the beginning of the novel is just a child living with her family in Tehran. The novel ends with Marji as a young teenager leaving for Austria. Through the years of war and power struggle that Marji and her family witness, gender appears to be a point of control in Iraq. Patriarchy, like many countries during this era, was the social construct that established gender roles, marking males as superior. This is portrayed in the novel when Marji and women in general, are forced to cover their heads (2003, pg.3). Marji is personally frustrated at this as it is difficult to accept being deprived of a former freedom. The justification also appears to be sexist as fundamentalist threatened Marji’s mother stating that women without a veil deserve to be raped (pg. 74). This displays the inequality between genders in the midst of the Islamic Revolution.

Another example of patriarchy is when Marji, at the beginning of the novel, proclaimed that she is a prophet. One of the panels shows numerous prophets looking at Marji and exclaiming “a woman?” (pg.6). Their faces show disapproval and apprehensiveness at the thought of a female prophet (pg. 6).  This is noteworthy, as Marji at this time did not see the difference between genders. However, as the novel progresses, Marji appears to lose her innocence and recognizes that men and women do not have equal opportunity due to the categorization of roles in relation to gender. Readers notice this when Marji stops pursuing her extravagant dreams and admits to herself she will probably have numerous kids. However, Marji in subtle ways, continues to go against the social constructs that shape gender by continuing to read and be educated in the politics at play in Iraq. Marjane is someone that would rather be sitting with the men listening to their opinions on the revolution and giving her own rather than be in the kitchen preparing a meal (62). This is possible for Marjane to do so solely because her parents support liberal ideologies that include the liberty of women. Earlier in the revolution, Marji parents go out and protest for women’s rights (pg. 5). This ignites a feminist perspective within Marji that wants to follow her mother’s footsteps and fight for her freedom. At the beginning of the novel Marji’s mother objected until after she was assaulted. Marji’s mother came to the conclusion that it was wrong of her to restrain her daughter from practicing her autonomy and her right to protest for what she believes in.

I think Marjane Satrapi also strives to portray in her novel the outcomes of the patriarchal system. Marji’s family had a maid who pretended to be of higher class in order to gain attention from Marji’s male neighbour (pg. 36). However, her sister also fell in love with the neighbour, which sparked jealously between them and as a result caused a broken relationship between the sisters. I think this depicts how many women in society fail to fight against the social constructs that pin women against each other because there is so little opportunity for them other than be wives and mothers.

Marjane Satrapi’s novel not only educates readers on the Islamic Revolution that took place in the 20^th century but also the influence of the Iraq war on women and gender. Satrapi brings light to the social constructs that were built and instituted by different groups in power. Furthermore, Satrapi appears to support liberal ideologies towards women and gender by painting Maji’s family as fighters of liberty and freedom.