How Does Satrapi Use Symbols In Persepolis

Each author has their own special technique that they use in their work that makes a novel unique. Symbolism is a common technique that is used by authors all over the world. Symbolism is an artistic style, consisting of images and indirect thoughts to express a certain idea, or emotion. Authors use symbolism to add depth and meaning to a story. (Blogger) Symbolism is displayed throughout the novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi in different ways to portray different views of the novel. Many of the views which are historical. The novel takes place in Iran during the 1980’s which marked the beginning of political and religious confusion throughout the country. Marjane is living with a family who supports revolutionaries and attend political

Marjane Satrapi uses only the colors black and white to portray a more serious viewpoint of the novel- historical viewpoints. “The combination of black and white always expresses extreme opposites. Symbolically, the ultimate connection is something that all humans can relate to as in the cover of night vs the light of day.” (Eiseman). In the novel, Satrapi gives insight of what it was like to grow up and live in Iran but only from her point of view. Satrapis writing includes her own personal experiences such as the trips she went on with her father during the war and the amount of death that was happening around her. The novel displayed how Marjane felt about the events that were occurring. Throughout the novel, her emotions became more noticeable through her opinions. However, the color of the novel shows a historical viewpoint as well. Satrapi uses the colors black and white to represent the different forces of the Revolution in Iran during that time period. According to Eiseman, the color black tends to symbolize negativity, such as oppression or death. The color white symbolizes freedom. For example, in the beginning of the novel Marjane is shown in a black veil, symbolizing that she is being forced into wearing the veil and that it is having a negative impact on her. (Satrapi, 3) The color white is brought in when freedom begins to come into the novel. This occurs when

The veil became a requirement for women to wear after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. It became obligatory to wear the veil at school, although, Marjane was not sure what to think of the veil. “We don’t really like to wear the veil, especially since we didn’t understand why we had to.” (Satrapi, pg 1) Characters such as Marjane and her mother were women who chose not to wear the veil, rebelling against religious persecution. Unlike today, where someone has the choice to wear what they want, being able to choose to wear the veil during the time of the Muslim Regime was not accepted. The veil symbolized religious freedom which was a very important aspect of the Muslim Regime. In 1979, many Muslims, including teachers, children and protesters were murdered and abused for not wearing the hijab.