Persepolis IOQ #5 Group Members: Megan Stoklosa, Olivia Holly- Johnson, Alexandra Slaughter, Theressa Dunsmore, and Kyrie Bassett Discuss the role and importance of religion in Persepolis. How does religion define certain characters in the book, and affect the way they interact with each other? Is the author making a social commentary on religion, and in particular on fundamentalism? What do you think Satrapi is saying about religion’s effect on the individual and society?

the EFfect of religion on characters within book Characters/Interactions When her Uncle Anoosh was killed, Marji banished God from her life. Defines her uncle as someone very valuable to Marji, triggering anger with God for allowing death. When the golden key was given to the poor boys in school, Marji’s maid, Nasrine, is not sure she can believe the religion anymore. When Marji states that she is the last prophet and at school when the teacher asks what she wants to be when she grows up. She later lies to her parents when asked about it. Quotes: page 70 Mrs. Nasrine said, “All my life, I’ve been faithful to the religion. If it’s come to this… well, I can’t believe in anything anymore,” (Satrapi 99). “At the age of six I was already sure I was the last prophet.” (Satrapi 6) “My parents were called in by the teacher. ‘Your child is disturbed. She wants to become a prophet.’” (Satrapi 8)

SOcial commentary? In Iranian culture, if you are a woman who has written or published anything, there could be serious repercussions. (see source page-Mcintosh 2) In a 2004 interview, Satrapi had admitted that the book was written for a Western audience, not an Iranian audience: insight for the Western Iranians to help them become more connected with their culture’s identity and origin as well as to dispel the common misconception that Westerners have about iranians due to an extremist minority, who just happens to have power over their theocratic government; in turn, working towards (see source page-Mcintosh 2) Iran became more religious under the Islamic republic. Eventually, the government's attempts to force religion into the citizens causes Marji and others to lose their religious beliefs. Ultimately, the repressive religion imposed by the Islamic Republic stands at odds with the heartfelt religious feeling and belief experienced by an individual. Since Iran became a theocracy, religion was used more for career advancement rather than inspire religious values. Source(s) used:http://www.lboro.ac.uk/media/wwwlboroacuk/content/phir/documentsandpdfs/topstudentessays/mcintosh%20muslim.pdf

Role of Religion Religion was introduced into the government after the 1979 revolution in which all three branches of the government were heavily influenced by religion. The was that the government would be supervised by the clergy was introduced by Revolutionary Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. As of this time, the government of Iran is totally theocratic. With this influence, many issues have arisen concerning the nature of a just government, women’s rights in Islam, economic justice, and the extent of limits on personal freedom. Most, if not all, of these issues have been reflected in Satrapi’s telling of “Persepolis.” Women’s rights and the extent of limits of personal freedoms are the two issues that are touched upon the most due to Marji having the most experience with the topics. Throughout the novel she feels restricted by the limits that a theocratic government has placed on her life, whether it is by what she could or couldn’t wear or by what she could or couldn’t do as a woman in Islamic culture. Ex: Pg 133, Marji is being questioned by the Guardians of the Revolution about how her clothing choices went against religious code due to her clothes being “decadent”, “punk”, and her tight jeans and reveal of hair to associate Marji with a whore.