Persepolis

Persepolis

Marijane Satrapi

Cole Groshens

Persepolis is a graphic novel written by Marijane Satrapi, It's an autobiography taking place in Iran During the revolution in the late 70's.  Growing up in the hardships of the revolution, Satrapi was faced with a lot of decisions and political pressure.  The purpose of Satrapi's book is to show that Iran is not a country of fundamentalists and terrorists, and that characterizations of the country by the West are inaccurate.

This novel is about a young outspoken girl, Marijane Satrapi, who is repeatedly challenged by the Iranian revolution,as she grows up in it. She stays strong through it all, with her profound religious beliefs and family support.  She is influenced greatly by her parents political beliefs, but as the book goes on she starts to develop beliefs of her own. As the revolution takes a turn for the worse, her parents decide that Iran is place for her to live.  They send her abroad to study in Vienna.  This change wasn't the best for her, as she struggled to find her new self, in a new place.  When she decided to return home, she was shocked not only to see how she had changed, but how her home country had changed.  She loves her family and her home, but it was just to much change, she finally decided to leave.

The overall strength of the book was very compelling.  It really enlightened me on an entirely different life.  The choice to make this a graphic novel, instead of just an ordinary book was brilliant.  It not only offered an easy read, but it really gave an emotional and visual understanding of the time frame and events that occurred. Also, the fact that the book was written from experience just really makes the reader feel like they're there, like they're that person.

The book really didn't have any weaknesses, if anything it was the text.  The text was in comic book form, or bubbles.  It was difficult to really get a full concept of what that page or section was about.  Other than that there was no real weaknesses.

Overall I thought the book was very enlightening and fun to read.  the pictures made it easier to visualize and comprehend.  I really think that those who read this novel really get an understanding of what it was like,  and it opens their eyes stopping them from being so narrow minded when it comes to the middle east.

Law vs. Justice

In the movie, there is obviously some racism, since it takes place in southern Africa in the early 40's.  Steven Biko is a black South African who only wishes that the blacks could regain control and dominance of the land that was originally theirs.  The English don't think to highly of people speaking out and trying to reform against their laws and ways of control.  The one way the English control this is by having a fraud legal system, in which the money or the higher up people are in control of the law.  In the  movie you see how the law will do anything they want, no matter if its right or wrong, to take Biko down, because hes a threat to their way of life. this movie really shows how English (white) men didn't care whether it was justice or not and how they would do anything they wanted to keep control and bring down the blacks.

The Slightest Thing

It was my eight grade year when i experienced something that would change my life, not a great deal, but enough to make a difference in who I am.  I was a avid basketball player, always playing and thinking of ball. One of the main reasons I loved basketball so much was because of my coach.  My coach not only knew the game of basketball but knew me.  I looked up to him and listened to him for not only guidance on the court but off the court.  As the season went on, we won a  majority of our games, and we were already thinking about the tournament and the championship.  We finished out our regular season with only  a few losses. We were undefeated in the tournament, which meant we were in the championship.  We all thought that this game was life and death. We could all tell that our coach wanted it as bad as we did.  The outcome of the game wasn't in our favor. We were all bummed out, some of us were even in tears.  I remember the talk after in our locker room.  Our coach told us how proud he was, and didn't even mention the loss.  That time is when i realised one of the most important things in life.  Its not all about winning.  Not just in basketball either, but in life in general.  It took a whole season and coach, but ill never forget it.

What can we gain from World Lit?

I think it is essential to read literature that comes from around the world.  Not only to learn about the culture and ways of others, but to really get a feel for life halfway around the globe.  Through literature people can give such a vivid understanding of their culture and make others who know less about it able to expand their knowledge of the world.  in World Lit 2, I plan to go into every book with an open mind and finish it no matter the circumstances.  I understand that there will be some books i wont be interested in but at least i'll gain that experience.  I hope to ask the question "why" a lot because me, knowing very little about other cultures, will want to know more about something or why something is done.  I think World Lit. is a perfect opportunity to expand my horizons and learn new things about unfamiliar parts of the world.