Persepolis- Part 1

This story begins with Marjane (Marji) who is 10 years old after the Iranian revolution. It is interesting getting another young women's perspective on the events happening around her. Of course, this graphic novel was written years after what had happened, but still is effective coming from a young adult's perspective. Marjane is very similar to Malala. Both females grew up in a culture that oppresses women. Malala was raised in a very supportive family that continued to make social justice a priority. Marjane was raised like most other people, in a family that followed the orders of society and government. Both women have also seen their community affected by violence. Marjane at one point has to live in a bomb shelter and a neighboring Jewish family is killed. Both girls are forced by their culture to wear head scarfs and act a certain way, yet both long for equal rights. Both also have an obsession with American music and pop culture. At one point Marjane buys music on the black market. Marjane grew up before Malala, but it is important to see that many young girls have been oppressed by their own culture for a very long time.