The Importance of Memory in Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Social Movements In Iran

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi  is a novel, which shows close interconnection between individual’s live and major processes, which take part in the state. The author shows how The history can be rewritten in accordance with the needs of the ruling regime. It can become the instrument of propaganda. At the same time, true knowledge and true memories help ordinary people confront propaganda and confront regimes, which can pervert information.  Marji, the protagonist of the story,  finds enough inner power and enough support from her family to confront the system of informational propaganda. She also recognizes the importance of keeping memory and keeping true information. This memories about true history of the country help to save true identity of the nation and become a powerful instrument, fighting propaganda.

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The graphic novel itself becomes an investigation of personal memory, and how it reflects major events, such as revolution. Culture becomes that compass, which shows ideas, values and material objects, which form the consciousness of the nation. Originally, it is designed to bring harmony to the society and show people higher ideas and values. At this point, the role of culture and past history becomes extremely important during turning points of political history. The novel illustrates how betraying can be attributed different ideas, since most of them can be used by the ruling regime to bring its ideas and to enhance its political dominance. Even religion can become the instrument of political manipulation.  At this point, culture becomes one of that rare values, which can serve as a source of true information about the identity of the nation. Culture can be saved keeping memory about traditions, history and customs.  Satrapi uses her narration to show the voice of people, who became involved in confrontation inside of their native country. In the introduction to her story, Marjane states: “One can forgive but one should never forget” (Satrapi, introduction).  Her words underline the importance of memory, which can show the way to truth, and thus can help people come in contact with their cultural identity.

In Satrapi’s story the idea of memory is closely linked to personal narrative, same as the Culture of Iran. Satrapi tells her story from the first person, describing her childhood memories and becoming of her social and political outlook. Her memories become more than sharing personal impressions. Her memories tell a story of her country. Her insider’s perspective is especially valuable because  her memories become one of the most authentic ways to speak about the history of her country. Satrapi’s narrative destroys cultural and historical generalizations and provides personal account from her past, which creates new history. She wants to confront a statement that “an entire nation [should be] judged by the wrongdoings of a few extremists” , and her graphic novel does a perfect job giving an alternative view of the past events (Satrapi, introduction).

The author of the novel perfectly realizes how her people and her country are perceived in the modern world. At the same time, she wants to change this cliché perception and makes an attempt to show real people and their real emotions behind bloody warship and political withstanding. Satrapi points out, that country consists not only of political leaders, who make propaganda and terror their main instruments of power. The country consists of people, their feelings and their personal stories. “Our family memory must not be lost,” states  Marji’s uncle Anoosh.  (Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi, Page 60). These words illustrate how separate stories are interconnected into one organic whole, which finally creates the culture and true story of the country. Satrapi’s story is her personal response to propaganda. Her answer to the clichés, which make people around the world perceive Iran only as an Islamist and fundamentalist state. The author shows how rich cultural identity can be reflected in individual identities. In the period of instability and terror, memory becomes the part of identity, as it helps people remember about their true origin and true heritage. Memory becomes one of the instruments to confront propaganda.

Works Cited

Kosmidou,   Rania  Eleftheria,  Corbin, Kate,  The Unbearable Lightness of Persepolis: Cultural Memory and the Melancholy of History, Journal of Greek Film Studies ISSUE 3, October 2015.

Poulson, C. S., Social Movements In Twentieth-Century Iran: Culture, Ideology and Mobilizing Frameworks, Plymouth: Lexington Books, 2005.

Satrapi, M., Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, London: Jonathan Cape, 2003.

Steinem, G. (nd) “On Writing Persepolis: by Marjane Satrapi, as told to Pantheon Staff” , Pantheon Comics, http://www.randomhouse.com/pantheon/graphicnovels/satrapi2.html

Milani, F. “Veiled Voices: Women’s Autobiographies in Iran” in Najmabadi, A. (ed) Women’s Autobiographies in Contemporary Iran, Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990.