Persepolis Reading Analysis

(Page 53/54 of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi)

            The book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi divulges in the daily life of a young Islamic revolutionist in Iran. Marjane Satrapi composed this text and she is mainly known for her multiple volumes of Persepolis. The audience she is intended to branch out and influence is not assumed to know much about her troubles. Marjane Satrapi gives a wide array of knowledge to inform those who do not know of typical life in Iran. Marjane informs the reader of the different styles of cloth they use, such as the veil, and the differences between typical American and Iran life.

            The two pages I have picked to interpret, deal with primary torture methods involved in the prisons of Iran. Marjane’s parents had an old friend from prison named Mohsen, whom of which was tortured so much they assumed he was dead (Satrapi, 50). Mohsen explains in detail the kind of tortures he had to endure in prison life (Satrapi, 52). Mohsen explains to the family that the prison guards were believed to be torturers from the C.I.A and real scientists that knew every nerve in one’s body. The author hopes to bring to light the cruelness and brutality of some men. One would be tortured until death if they wouldn’t give the torturers the knowledge they were looking for. The author may even been trying to scare the reader by showing them a little glimpse of what many of her beloved peers had to endure. The author’s intent is made clear through the dialogue her parents have with their friend. Marjane could have made it so her character had nightmares about torture. However, instead she made it so a real character had come to inform her family of real tortures that happened to people she knew. Many of these actions were presumably used only during wartime, however Marjane made it apparent to the reader that many people who revolt in Iran are tortured. It show’s the viciousness of many men and makes one analyze the world around them.

            The tone and style of this text is a very serious tone with an informational background. Marjane does a great job showing the horrors of her home as child. Although there are some humorous texts and a bit of satire, the overall tone of this book is a very serious tone. Throughout many parts of the book there are discussions of violence and revolution showing the dangers of Iran during rebellion. The style of this book is an informal academic one, for it is in a graphic novel and can be academic for it teaches one many knowledgeable aspects of Iran. While Marjane is trying to convey a serious message of a revolution, she does a great job of keeping the reader intrigued and constantly supplying new knowledge so the reader is never confused on what a certain item is. Through cultural differences comes change in daily life of that people, Marjane shows the reader just how different it is across the world.