Persepolis

Outstanding scenes

The graphic novel “Persepolis” is filled with scenes that most westerners would consider completely out of the ordinary. Marji is faced with the realities of living in a war plagued country at a very young age. There are a few scenes that are especially significant, as they have shown the extreme emotional, physical and mental challenges of Marji trying to make sense of her experiences in an unpredictable and violent world.

Scene: Uncle’s death

Anoosh’s death has been one of the most significant scenes in this memoir as it has marked the end of Marji’s childhood and her innocence which she has previously retained through her relationship with God. In the upper panel, the newspaper and the two bread ducks carved out by Anoosh are the only physical reminders of him that Marji has left. She denounces God in anger, yelling “Shut up you! Get out of my life!!! I never want to see you again!”(p. 70). Marji becomes lost and empty as she tries to cope with the death of such a beloved and admired member of the family.

Scene: Neighbour’s death

During the war, Marji and her mother find their neighbour Baba Levys’ house to be completely destroyed. In the rubble, Marji notices a bracelet that her friend got on her fourteenth birthday. She knew that the girl and her family have been in that house and now have become the victims of the merciless war. This devastates her. The last panel in this significant scene is black, showing that no image and no “scream”(p. 142) could come close to portraying the suffering and anger she felt that time.