Reading Persepolis, one notices the black and white comics which seem dull but it must be understood that it didn’t happen by accident. Satrapi captures the audiences feelings and empathy by sharing her life in black and white which tells us that it wasn’t of the pleasant lives lived. It is a clever way to help the audience understand the mood of the memoir. Depressed would be about the right word to use here in terms of the mood of the story.
Satrapi also shares her mood by making blunt statements about things or events that make her feel as if whatever is going on is pointless. An example would be the veil. She states that it is obligatory to wear it but she didn’t know why she had to. Just like that, she makes a statement and makes it seem dull even though the events of the story revolve around it.
During the early stages of the memoir, Satrapi shows us her optimism and hope for her country by keeping a communication with God and showing us her high ambition. However, optimism is just a part of being a young kid. As Marji grows, her hopes fade gradually and she leans towards a more rebellious side. She cuts off communication with God and shows us that she didn’t fear anything to come even though deep down she was afraid of losing her family and her country.
Taking risks was something Marji did frequently and she didn’t know the seriousness of these risks until she was caught and confronted. An example of this would be when she decides to go out wearing a bold fashion statement and gets caught.
Spending some time in Austria, Marji sees and does things that are not even thought of back in her own country. These elements make her feel like she is forgetting who she really is and its also making her even more sad knowing that whatever she is doing is most likely going to be disapproved. Not belonging in the west yet not completely Iranian anymore, Marji feels lost.
