Persepolis is a an autobiography about a young girl who is stuck in a time period of much political turmoil in her country, Iran. Marjane Satrapi, the author and main character, has several struggles, including internal and external ones. Satrapi decided to portray her childhood struggles in a unique way. A graphic novel was an ideal format for Satrapi because her pictures and speech bubbles work together to communicate with the audience. For example, on page 71 Satrapi placed an image that draws a reader’s attention. The image occupies an entire page, when normally three to seven images are represented on a page. This image shows Marji, the childhood character of Satrapi, alone in space. She is floating with her arms wide and a blank expression
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what could be worse than that?” (Satrapi). The image of Marji floating in space complements her words to portray her feelings. Marji feels hopeless and vulnerable. For example, her question, “What could be worse than that?” shows that Marji had feelings of self pity and despair. In addition, the image shows her all alone. Only stars and planets accompanied Marji as she floats in space. Marji also lays in space with her arms open wide, as if she was surrendering. A threatening phrase lays in the bottom corner, “Marji, run to the basement! We’re being bombed!” (Satrapi). Although there seems to be an apparent threat, Marji has no protection. This leads the reader to ask: Why does Marji feel this way? If one looks back to the last couple of pages, it explains what happens to Uncle Danoosh and God. These two events led to Marji being vulnerable. God and Uncle Danoosh were her protection during this dark period in Iran. With these guardians gone, Marji is about to experience the dark realities of the world on her own. Most of all, the picture represents a turning point in Marji’s life. It shows that she will have to mature due to the absence of her two closest friends that guided her through her life. One can conclude that this moment is a crossing roads in her life because a brand new chapter in the story begins on the next page signifying a turning point. In conclusion, images in graphic
what could be worse than that?” (Satrapi). The image of Marji floating in space complements her words to portray her feelings. Marji feels hopeless and vulnerable. For example, her question, “What could be worse than that?” shows that Marji had feelings of self pity and despair. In addition, the image shows her all alone. Only stars and planets accompanied Marji as she floats in space. Marji also lays in space with her arms open wide, as if she was surrendering. A threatening phrase lays in the bottom corner, “Marji, run to the basement! We’re being bombed!” (Satrapi). Although there seems to be an apparent threat, Marji has no protection. This leads the reader to ask: Why does Marji feel this way? If one looks back to the last couple of pages, it explains what happens to Uncle Danoosh and God. These two events led to Marji being vulnerable. God and Uncle Danoosh were her protection during this dark period in Iran. With these guardians gone, Marji is about to experience the dark realities of the world on her own. Most of all, the picture represents a turning point in Marji’s life. It shows that she will have to mature due to the absence of her two closest friends that guided her through her life. One can conclude that this moment is a crossing roads in her life because a brand new chapter in the story begins on the next page signifying a turning point. In conclusion, images in graphic