The statement Marjane's father makes about how "politics and sentiments don't mix," is completely and entirely untrue. I don't even think that Marji herself believes in this statement. As soon as he says this to her, she does not dwell on the words. In the following picture, it is a completely different scene of her in school and they have to tear out pictures of the Shah. The entire graphic novel is about a child's struggle with the emotions she is dealing with during the revolution and the war. In my opinion, this story is almost completely revolved around women and the role that women play. It's the women who have to wear the veil, women who cannot wear cosmetics and women who have to be completely covered. And why is this? Because men cannot control themselves around women. As a woman, this is extremely irritating to me. In the movie when two men drove up to Marji as she was running and they said that she could not run basically because her butt moved, Marji replies, "Well then stop staring at my butt!" This is a moment where I was extremely happy. Finally someone put these revolting men in their place.
The fact that it was Marji's father, a man, that said "politics and sentiments don't mix," further reinforces the role of men and women in this story. It also says a lot about how men and women think differently. Obviously the effects of the war on men in Iran were huge, but is it wrong to say that women suffered more in the end?
It is impossible for politics and sentiment to not mix because one cannot run a country without passion and love for the country and the people in it. Even though it seems in the book that the punishments in Iran are harsh and they have taken away so many freedoms of the people, the leaders truly believe that they are doing it to better the country. Also, one's beliefs heavily influence their role in politics. For example, if a person is pro-life they will most likely associate themselves with the candidate who has the same belief.Parents also play an important role on a person's beliefs. In the story, Marji is heavily influenced by the morals and values of her mother, father and grandmother. For instance, just like her parents go out and protest, Marji ends up doing the same thing one day and leaves with Mehri to go do a demonstration. Beliefs heavily influence one's actions.
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Kayla,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your blog. It is impossible for politics and emotions to not mix. People vote based on their own personal opinion or passion towards a specific subject and candidate. I liked when you talked about passion towards running a country. Of course Obama has passion for the United States, otherwise I find it impossible for him to even bother to enforce laws. He cares about people's personal opinions.
I also liked when you talked about the role of women in the novel. I don't think its wrong to say women suffered more. Of course the men went through difficult times and changes, but I feel like the women went through more emotional battles. But, I would like to read a novel that comes from a male's persepective. Who knows, it might change my opinion.
Hey Kayla!
ReplyDeleteI think you make a really good point in second and third lines. It’s really interesting that she doesn’t seem to even register with her in the book. Though, it must have stuck out in her mind later since she did remember it and published it. It’s funny that the next part of the book is about tearing pages of the Shah’s image out of their school books- which I think is very emotional action. Even to children this must have been revolting or electrifying (depending on their parents views, most likely).
You make really good points about how much women suffer in the novel, and I agree with your statements to an extent. The guard scene does annoy me, but maybe it doesn’t all have to do with men. I think Marjane presents it that way because she is a woman and does feel oppressed, so maybe she is a little biased about the way she portrays women. I am not saying that women aren’t oppressed in Iran, but I think we should leave room for the possibility of her portrayals being one sided.
In your second paragraph you bring up good points about beliefs influencing one’s actions, because without a culture or belief system there is a real lack of motivation.
I really enjoyed reading your blog!
Taylor
I really enjoyed you post about Persepolis and I do not think it would “be wrong to say that women suffered more in the end.” They definitely seemed to have to the burden of receiving the blunt of the criticism from the government. The men did have criticism and terrible struggles, also, as you said. If we compare their experiences against each other, the women seem to have it worse off. It is mainly do to the religious aspects and the temptation that men might feel if they see any part of a woman’s body. In the movie, in the lecture/meeting that Marji and her classmates had to attend, the tightening of the rules was directed solely at the females. The males were allowed to dress and behave as they pleased (to a certain extent, because they were still oppressed) without much address.
ReplyDeleteThe reason the women were forced to dress much more conservatively than their male counterparts was due to the fact that the men wouldn’t be able to control themselves. It seems to me that the religion should focus more on keeping the men in line. They should preach self-control (which I’m sure they do.) Instead, the women seem to suffer as a means of male self-control. They have to wear the veils because their hair “emanates rays” that have the distinct ability to arouse and excite men. In the college meeting, the leaders were ordering the women to wear longer veils so that not any hair can show. It was quite hypocritical, and Marji told them about it.
I really can't comprehend the concept of punishing women because we might tantalize men. Are men just allowed to do whatever they please? Can't we restrain them in some other way than having to demean ourselves- a simple "No, I don't like you and stop staring at me" would suffice. I can't wrap my head around that issue because I believe in owning up to your own actions and that someone else should not be punished in what you are doing is wrong. I admire your passion.
ReplyDeleteI can understand the portrayal of women and men in the memoir. Marji's father's statement seems like a stereotypical man thing to say- as if men were impervious to emotions. Thus with men running the entire country, there really is no place for sentiment anywhere! I would definitely foresee a more sympathetic ruler in a woman and that might be good for the country if there weren't so many zealous power hungry people. Through Marji's sentimentality, I understand that it is incredibly crucial to the political process and how it really should not be ignored because we are all human and we should be treated with respect.