Persepolis
In a system where social classes exist, conflicts amongst the people are bound to happen. Often times we wonder what causes some people to do they do to other people such as theft, murder, betrayal, and the list goes on. The root cause of this would be the existence of social classes. In the story Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi, a young Iranian child who’s a part of a middle class family, witnesses the differences between the classes of people in her country. The classes can be viewed as a pyramid; the bottom being incredibly huge contains the people of the lower class such as maids, peasants, and servants. As the pyramid went up, it begins to shrink in size and at the very top resides the people in power. Those who were in power did whatever it took to maintain their positions while the people on the bottom strived just to make a living. Marjane became rebellious towards the inequality of the social classes in her country.
Marjane did not agree with the government’s oppressive new laws set for the way the schools had to be segregated. One law enforced female students to wear a veil while in school. “You showed your opposition to the regime by letting a few strands of hair show” (Satrapi 74). Even though Marjane wears a veil, she is always shown with a few strands of hair sticking out. On the other hand, male students were free to be veil-less and were only required to wear long sleeve shirts. The second rule was the prohibition of bilingual schools. She was disappointed from this decision to separate her from some of her friends for no apparent reason. As you can see, she is beginning to realize the unfair treatment by the people at the top of the pyramid.
Marjane believed love between two people should not be forbidden due to the difference in social class. Her maid, Mehri who lived with her, had fallen in love with her neighbor’s son. This relationship did not last as Marjane’s father informed the boy of Mehri’s status. Instantly the boy lost all interest in Mehri as if she wasn’t good enough for him. Marjane had been supporting their relationship by reading and writing love letters for her. “Without any hesitation, Hossein gave all the letters he had received to my father!” (Satrapi 37). It is complete nonsense to be forced to date only people within one’s own social class since attraction between any people can come naturally. In short, she finally understands the reason Mehri has never eaten at the same table with her family was due to her inferiority.
Marjane sought to become a prophet in hopes of tearing down the barrier of social classes. “...Reza became a porter at the age of ten, Leila wove carpets at age five, Hassan three year old cleaned car windows. I finally understood why I felt ashamed to sit in my father’s Cadillac. The reason for my shame and for the revolution were the same: the difference between social classes” (Satrapi 33). She made it one of her rules for the day she would became a prophet, everyone is to own a car. She sees her grandmother suffering from aging and adds it to her prophet list. Her decision to help old people who lack the means to afford aid for their health demonstrates her kindness doesn’t discriminate. She would also like to have everyone and anyone to be able to eat together at the same table. Mehri had been with Marjane’s family since she was 8 years old and not once was she allowed to eat on the same table with them. In brief, Marjane’s dream to become a prophet becomes a dramatic step for her in fighting social class class inequality.
Marjane lost her faith in the Shah’s rule after hearing the story of her grandfather. Her grandfather was the prince of Iran who had been cheated for his seat on the thrown. Her grandfather educated himself and became a communist. He adopted the belief of Lenin “It disgusts me that people are condemned to a bleak future by their social class” (Satrapi 23). People at the bottom have to work a bit harder than the people above them and it will take them much further than other people’s expectations. After the loss of all the inheritance, her grandfather and his family lived in poverty and could only afford to eat bread whereas the Shah enjoyed what was supposed to be their life. “…Dynasties have succeeded each other but the kings always kept their promises. The Shah kept none” (Satrapi 27). As the Shah wrongfully stole the seat of the emperor, it’s not much of a surprise to see he didn’t intend on keeping a promise to the people. We can see that Marjane’s knowledge on social class differences continue to expand as she learns the reality of the situation in Iran.
The Islamic regime took power over Iran and the tyranny begins. Marjane’s uncle, Anoosh, was one of the many victims the regime had killed since they came to power. She had just met Anoosh and considered him to be the 1st hero of her family. This action by the regime demonstrates the top will do what it takes to stay in power so they began eliminating all potential threats to them. It is a scary thought to think the government can take your life without being rational and not receive any consequences. Iran finds itself to be in a war with Iraq and they are in need of soldiers. “They come from the poor areas, you can tell… first they convince them the afterlife is even better than Disneyland, then they put them in a trance with all their songs” (Satrapi 101). The regime uses the abundant bottom class people to fight for them by tempting them with a key which they claim allows you into heaven. Overall, Marjane must feel it’s unforgivable to misuse the power which everyone contributed to.
All in all, the people do what they do wrong upon others for their own personal gain. Some people are naïve and do not think about the effect their action have on other people. It is the honest and hardworking people who help make the world a much better place. Needless to say it is the dishonest and greedy people who make life difficult for those who are already struggling to make a living. Love can happen between anyone, no matter if they belong to different social classes. The hunger for power we see becomes brutal as the people in power kill others who they view as threats. Misleading a large number of incredibly young boys into the military to defend the country and one’s power is unthinkable. Marjane rebels against the unjust social class system that is causing the people to suffer.
