When focusing on a particular area of the world, it can be easy to feel disconnected, particularly when everything that you hear or see from a given location is entirely negative in the media that you consume. I knew little of the Middle East aside from overhearing talk of the War on Terror and through minuscule portions of information in history class. Upon picking up Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, Persepolis, I came to the conscious realization that the world is much more vast and varied from my own small, privileged bubble.
Marjane Satrapi is an Iranian graphic-novelist, author, illustrator, and film director. Satrapi is a powerful visual storyteller, and what is more powerful than her imagery and writing is the knowledge that she draws from the truth - from her own personal experiences. Raised in a time of turmoil, harsh regimes and revolution in Tehran, Iran, she witnessed friends and family being arrested, persecuted, and murdered throughout the course of her childhood. She herself was an opposing force of the oppression, and she clearly portrays even the mundane hardships of life in Iran. Most importantly, however, is that her visual interpretations of her life felt extremely personal and identifiable. In Persepolis, we follow Satrapi as a young girl as she details the hardships she and her family faced, and reflects on the forming of her own beliefs in this coming-of age story. Everything from not being able to buy certain music or play board-games that are restricted by the regime, fighting against the veil, or witnessing the horrors of oppression at a young age are touched upon.
Although Persepolis and the award-winning film she directed by the same name are what Satrapi is most well-known for, she has written multiple other graphic works that delve deeper into her life and reflections beyond her childhood, including a sequel that described her teen years. These works can touch on a variety of subjects, from the trials of Iranian women in "Embroideries" to recollections of a relative's last days of life in "Chicken and Plums". These stories are illustrated in a clear but powerful black-and white ink format, and take you on a journey into the intimacy of another life.
While much of the world is shrouded by prominent media, it can be easy to develop conclusions based on the limited knowledge you posses or the inherent prejudices you hold due to the influences of the environment you were raised in. Satrapi's works fight against that barrier. A human life is just as rich in story and experience as one on the other side of the planet. Particularly in Western culture, privilege often goes unrecognized by those who hold it, and although they know there are those that struggle, it does not truly become "real" until there is a face put to those hardships. These works should be appreciated in that they can convey the concept of a life in such a simple yet powerful medium, and when utilized they can truly broaden one's concept of the world outside of their comfort zone in which they never realized they were a part of.
Marjane Satrapi utilizes humor, visual artistry and raw life experiences to show the world that people are people, no matter where they are from or what efforts are made to shroud them. She tackles heavy subjects with ease and her work seems to resonate with the innate human experience. Her works can enlighten, lead you to question your prior interpretations, and still provide the joys of reading and viewing fulfilling stories with a touch of humor. In the case of "Persepolis", what may seem to one person with a limited world-view as a simple "comic", may actually have the power to change their outlook on an entire culture and question whether or not they tend to judge others through the clouded gaze of negative media.
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I definitely get where you're coming from when you talk about not knowing much outside of our own little bubbles of privilege and knowledge. I still feel pretty disconnected from the world around me (one of the main reasons I'm taking the Islam class here). I don't seek out media on world topics like I know I should. This seems like a really accessible way to break out of that small bubble of self-awareness and become far more aware of life around the world and the struggles that others face that we never had to. I would love to take a look as some of these in the future they seem very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Catrina! I want to comment on both this post and your first post! First I want to say how I relate to you in terms of living in a bubble, and having your world view grow as you become more aware of the world and current events. I haven't heard of this graphic novel, but I love the simplistic style of the art, but more importantly I love the girl's story! She seems like a strong female character that adds some comic relief to the hardships in her life. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAlso I wanted to comment on your first post. You mentioned living in Pennsylvania and your Italian heritage. My French father grew up in Philly, living in a predominately Italian neighborhood! Which reminds me of a funny story I will now ramble on to you about! When my grandmother would call my father for supper, she would call to him in a strong french accent, "Robert ! Robert!" The Italian kids thought she was calling him, "Root beer," and that became his new nickname....
Thanks for sharing about the graphic novel! I'll check it out!