The author of Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi, presents a variety of points of view in this graphic novel. First of all, since the book is written in the form of a comic, it creates an essence of childhood and allows the reader to understand and see this very serious story through a childlike lens. The author illustrates both of her parents' points of view as well as her grandmother and even their maid at one point.
Even though the story is based on Marjane's input, she uses other characters' perspectives to create her opinion on certain issues concerning the iranian culture and way of life. For example when her parents get back from the demonstration and Marjane is talking about what God and her teacher told her about the king, her father presents an argument by saying that "God did not choose the king" (pg 19). This completely changes her view of the king especially when her father adds that "the emperor that was overthrown was grandpa's father" (pg 22) and when her mother adds that "sometimes they put him in a cell filled with water for hours" (pg 24).
Both of these viewpoints from her parents help her shape her view of what she really thinks of the Iranian political situation. She starts to become angry at the fact that they treated her grandfather in this manner and starts to understand that the king was not truly chosen by God like she had been previously informed.
Then in the next chapter entitled 'Persepolis' Marjane questions her grandmother on the poverty she was forced to undergo since her husband was in prison. She explains that "the Shah's father took everything we owned, I lived in poverty" (pg 26) Therefore by portraying different perspectives throughout the book, Satrapi is able to show how everyone feels about the Shah and how this creates Marjane's complete knowledge of her family's history as well as the Iranian revolution.
I agree, I think that the use of many different perspectives helps the reader to understand the situation very well. I also think the use of her present interpretation of her actions and thoughts as a child is useful. In some cases I think it's intent is to help the reader along. The reader's initial reaction may be like the child's because we are equally uninformed. When Satrapi interprets her previous actions it helps the reader to better understand.
ReplyDeleteI agree, also! I think another aspect of narration that may not have been addressed is that of the adult perspective. Though the story is told through Marji's eyes, there is obviously another, older entity behind some of the things that she says. As we've discussed in class, this is the adult Satrapi. It sometimes seems to me as if Satrapi is not trying to write purely from a child's perspective but perhaps as a child in an adult's words. Marji's dialogue often seems like an adult remembering how she spoke, not how a child might actually speak (pologies if that whole explanation is sort of confusing). Furthermore in the case of adult perspective, we also hear the viewpoints of her parents and other progressive thinkers. In including both a childlike and a mature perspective, Satrapi makes it easier for a broad audience to connect and understand.
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