Persep. Blog Numero Dos

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?
Religion is highly valued in their society. If people are religious, they have a higher rank and more say in the society unlike those who don't give an eff about their religion or the new regime. The people who didn't follow the regime were looked down upon and didn't have a lot of say. The people that were religious reminds me of the little rich kids in high school. The non religious people are like a group of outcasts (no one cares about them). Those who were in support of fundamentalism were highly respected by society and the soldiers didn't care much about them. On the other hand, soldiers were being dicks toward the modern people. People in the society don't give a shit about non religious individuals. The religious people are cared about.

"Every situation has an opportunity for laughs." (p.97) Give some examples of how the ordinary citizens of Iran enjoy a life despite the oppressive regime. What made you laugh? How does Satrapi add comic relief? How are these scenes relevant to the story as a whole?
Some examples of how the ordinary citizens of Iran enjoyed life is by celebrating and throwing parties. I laughed because they are either having fun while partying or depressed when they aren't partying which I think is pretty sad because they can't use their non partying times to do something else since there is a war going on. She uses comics so that the story isn't completely depressing so people would laugh like "ha ha. That's very funnay." Comic relief makes the story more enjoyable so that people would continue reading and not stop from time to time.

At the core of the book is Marji's family. What is this family like? What is important to Marji's parents? What environment do they create for their daughter despite living under an oppressive regime and through a brutal, prolonged war? From where do they get their strength?
Marji's family weren't exactly close bonded in the beginning of the book. However, as the story progresses, they become stronger and closer as a family. The most important thing to Marji's parents was her safety. For example, Marji's parents wouldn't allow her to go to demonstrations no matter how much she begged, since they were dangerous. In addition, at the end, they got Marji a passport and wanted her to go to Austria so that she'd be safe and away from the war that was happening in Iran. Marji's parents did the best they could to provide for her. I think they get their strength from their loved ones.