The Complete Persepolis - Literary Analysis Essay

Introduction

Besides its heartbreaking graphic memoir, "The Complete Persepolis" is humorous and wise, making readers laugh with tearful eyes. The black and white illustrations in addition to the flat composition mirror the world's serious attitude towards Iran. Despite being boring, it is very powerful, a good exposure to an affluent reader. The entire episode took place in 1979 in Iran during the Iran-Iraq warfare. During the significant historical episode, Marjane Satrapi applied the child's own perception and vocal tone to create a humorous, simple, cute and light graphical style in addition to diluting the painful and ruthlessness that marked the entire revolution. "The Complete Persepolis" is made up of several metaphors and imaginative designs. All through her own growth, Marji's laughter depicts diverse meanings, showcasing her sadness, happiness, and beautifulness. At a young age, Marji had a beautiful and fragile life which started off as an adventure from sinking to growing and later into a mature young lady.

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Her childhood was characterized by curiosity, simplicity, and constant desire to discover the world around her. The entire narration begins in 1970 in Iran, a country that was free and open, and nothing like what is known presently. At the age of nine, she is creative, curious, and imaginative. Marji grew up in an open family that gave her a lot of freedom, space, and love. They neither limited her speech nor avoided talking about current and political issues in her presence. In the narrative, Marji recounts her desire to be a prophet, a true desire from her heart. On this, her classmates called her crazy and all of them laughed off the idea with a hearty "ha-ha-ha laughter. They are just but innocent and simple children, exploring their innocence towards life's adventures. According to them, being a prophet is not a pretense belief as everything in life is present at that very age. When her teacher shared her dreams with her parents, "Marji wants to be a prophet. Does this worry you?' her dad responded, "No! Not at all." This is a clear indication of the much trust and love they had for their daughter (p, 8).

They understand it is being part of the adventure of growing up, exploring the world. Gradually, the circumstances began changing. Islamic Revolution broke out and the newly installed authorities formed the very basics of Islamic doctrines. The entire society began changing. Initially, Marji did not understand the happenings around her; she had numerous questions about life in general and failed to connect her understandings. One day, her dad was talking about some funny occurrence that she had at one time experienced. People were shouting for a man whom they thought was a hero; however, that man passed away due to a cancerous health complication. Marji laughed along with her family, a laughter that revealed her precocity and sensitivity. Despite her sensitivity and hurt feelings, she could not understand the point of their laughter although she tried her level best to stay and understand the conversations. Since she could not make out their conversation, the decision to read the books she could to further explore the big world.

During her adolescence, her laughter demonstrated a burning hope, and despair mixed together. The Iranian hope saw a glimpse of hope in the Islamic Revolution, a feat that would later bring for the deeper disappointment. The day of Iran's Islamic Revolution, people celebrated for the Pahlavi dynasty has officially ended and become Islamic Republic (p. 42). Everyone was in good moods, joyful and hopeful for a better life only after the new authority comes into authority. The entire community has a series of conservative reforms: women must be forced to wear veils and long pants when going out; drinking and partying are absolutely forbidden; even Western pop music is strictly prohibited (p. 74 - 75; 105 - 110; p. 127 - 134). Marji's uncle was in prison due to politics during the imperial period; when the revolution took place. He was later freed along with other political leaders. Mari's uncle was Marji's hero and one of the hopes of life; she was extremely proud of him (p. 54 - 70). However, not long after the revolution, the regime struggled and the situation was worse than before. The uncle was later executed in the name of the Soviet spy, and her hopes were shattered. She was swallowed up by the fire of despair.

In her laughter, was her tenacity, the fascination of young age, and the experience of frustration in life. Later whew old move to Austrian, and met her new roommate, Lucia. From the very first moment, they exchanged humorous looks, laughter showing all over their faces. The scenario symbolized new hope in Marji's life. Right from that moment, they became instant friends. Lucia would later tech Marji the German language in addition to how to gain an independent attitude in Vienna (p. 161 - 164). However, despite being in their numerous groups with popular and rebellious margins, she never had the sense of full belonging with her circle of friends. She felt like a stuck vegetable (p. 189 - 192).

One of the examples in the narration states that Marji pretended to inhale the cigarette and imitate her friend's laughter to assimilate with them comfortably. At that very moment, her laughers hid her pains and insecurity that she had lost. Rarely does she laugh again until later when she went back to Iran? However, her situation did not get any better, and she constantly had to move to different places to live. She was discriminated by other people due to her skin color, nationality and it reached a point that she refused to admit her nationhood. Since Marji could not find acceptance anywhere, not even in friendship, she turned to a romantic relationship, as a last resort. Marji though that she would be able to find someone to accept her for who she is, but she was wrong, when she was her boyfriend was naked with some other girl in his room. She never understood how ugly or disgusting love would turn out.

At the end of the story, Marji learned that the most important lesson on how to laugh comfortably is to always keep her dignity and remain true to herself (p. 150). That is the power of resilience of life: even those people who consider themselves fragile, somehow they can find strength from their brokenness. Later on meeting her childhood friend, with whom she got separated at the time of the war, she told her of a long story of her own. They laughed and made fun of each other (p. 258 -266). They shared together not only the funny stories but because they understood their jokes and background. At the end of the narration, Marji's family was always her ultimate affiliation. Marji's grandmother always played a key role in her soul guide. On their part, her parents always gave her the endless support and love she needed. They all treasured the moments they shared together.

Conclusion

In conclusion, laughter became part of every bit of Marji's growth. At a young age, her laughter depicted that of the birds, which presents one meaning of pure heart. Along with her growth and the impact of the environment, her free spirit of laughter became crazier in adolescent to later in maturity. Flying over the axis of life, it is possible to come to terms and recognize as humans, we are small parts as compared to the vastness of the world. Fragility made Marji grow stronger and one of a kind. Her laughter teaches us that there is power in fragility and the beauty of light in the darkness.