Social Classes In The Persepolis

In the graphic novel, The Complete Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi depicts the rise of the Islamic Fundamentalists in order to demonstrate how a totalitarian state oppresses its populace. Although there were many deviations in the lifestyles of many after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, there was a great influence on the women, military, education and in various adolescences.

Considered as the assailant of Islamic practices, the Shah of Iran desired for a more Western lifestyle for the Iranian people. The veil, a conspicuous religious symbol, was not considered mandatory by the Shah. After the Shah’s exile, Islamic Fundamentalists imposed young girls to begin wearing hijabs starting from the age of eight. Subsequently, demonstrations occurred for Iranian women to argue for or

An underlying tension throughout the scene is shown as Marjane 's maid is forced to abandon her love. On page 33 of “Persepolis,” Marjane says, “The reason for my shame and for the Revolution is the same: the difference between social classes.” This sentence provides evidence of Marjane’s own intrinsic battle due to the disparity between social classes. Also, we learn the maid could not read, usually ate by herself, "She was eight years old when she had to leave her parents ' home to come to work for us (Satrapi 34)” and began working for Marji’s parents at age eight. Marjane’s father told Marjane that, “Because in this country you must stay within your own social class." (Satrapi 37) This shows how much difference there is between Mehri and the Satrapi household. It is clear that Marji’s family is privileged, upper middle class as her father drives a Cadillac (Satrapi 6). Marji’s great grandfather was the last Qajar emperor of Iran, providing evidence that Marji’s ancestors were powerful and held a great social