Persepolis & Perceptions: Culture and History Despite Negative Stereotypes in Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis

 

Colton Borders Z. Borders
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor

Satrapi recounts her childhood living through the turmoil of the Islamic Revolution and Iranian stereotypes. Family, culture, and history, in Persepolis, are lenses that Satrapi uses to correct negative Iranian stereotypes when Satrapi recounts her families past. At the beginning of the novel, she describes the history of her country and the shift in political power over the course of its development. Satrapi is conveying to the reader that through her growing up, she finds her own voice and opinions and merges them with her country's past and present like with her shift in belief in God when her uncle is killed. Satrapi is, in a sense, setting the record straight, and showing that in many ways the media's portrayal of Iran is false. There are many instances when the media lies about the state of the country. Satrapi is attempting to break the stereotypes about Iran and her history.

Keywords: Persepolis, Iran, Politics, History, Revolution, Culture, Media, Memories

Topic(s):English
Political Science

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA