American Literature

Childhood if not the best, but the greatest part of somebodys life. It is where you recollect, reminisce and remember every piece of your human hood happiest moments. It is where your world went when everybody seems to take no notice. It was when you were a child.

In the graphic novel of Marjane Satrapi entitled Persepolis The Story of Childhood, there has been several depictions of how was it growing in a country where war is religion. Published by Pantheon on 2003, this novel has aroused thoughts how war took a great effect in somebodys psychological growth.

On the other hand, why Marjane Satrapi named her book Persepolis could mean a lot of things. First, Persepolis which happened to be the 6th century capital of Iran (Persia then) has been the setting of her childhood. This was where she was born and was brought.

Came from a family of wealthy avant-garde and considered to be the granddaughter of one of Irans last emperors, Satrapi was taught how to think differently compared to other kids who have the same age as her during that period. This has taught her to be different and consequently suffered from it.

Through her experience of the Islamic Revolution, when her family tried to flee from the Iranian government when she was only 14 years old, Satrapi experienced the most devastating moment of her life.

According to her accounts from the book, her elders including her parents and uncles were arrested and were even killed. Her mother was also threatened of rape and death from the very hands of these strangers that she knew sent by the Iranian government.

It was when her identity, her familys identity was taken in question. There she mentioned asking why was that wrong of wearing a denim jacket and Nikes. There could not have been wrong in drinking expensive wines and being taught of hating the present regime than being scowled between bars of that government, depicted Satrapi.

In naming her novel Persepolis mean nothing without Satrapi growing there. It could have been one of Persias now Irans medieval names, but the truth it has been a place of every dramatic childhood takes into picture.

Persepolis simply tells political, historical and personal account of a young girl who has seen life in its worst despite of any political hierarchy she was in. It is the story of culture and how you live by it and not demanded by it. Lastly, let me share this line quoted from the book
In life, youll meet a lot of jerks. If they hurt you, tell yourself that its because theyre stupid. That will help keep you from reacting to their cruelty. Because there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance . . . always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.