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Monday, April 30, 2012

Transgenerational Perceptions of America in Persepolis

Of all the novels we read this semester, I felt that Persepolis had the most intriguing portrayals of America. American thoughts and ideals were strongly admired in Satrapi’s graphic memoir. But what about American thought fascinated the characters in this work? It wasn’t so much the politics of American freedom that blew them away; it was the types of behavior and self-expression that Democracy permitted.

In Persepolis, Marjane is blown away by the popular culture that thrived in America. When her parents travel to Turkey, Marjane receives all of the essential American gear, “I put my posters up in my room… I put my 1983 Nikes on… And my denim jacket with the Michael Jackson Button,” (Satrapi 131). So Marjane's conception of America is quite juvenile; when she thinks of America she thinks of pop music, shoes, and posters. Marjane loves all things American because they are fun and allow for a cathartic means of self expression.  

Perhaps this image of America as a place of fun self expression isn't so juvenile for Iranians since this immense admiration of American popular culture is also shared by her parents who buy her these items in Turkey. Marjane’s father even admits to loving Iron Maiden while in Turkey, Satrapi writes, "Tell me the truth, you really like Iron Maiden?... Absolutely!" (127) So although Marjane is somewhat obsessed with being one of Kim Wilde's ‘Kids in America’, this love of Americana is transgenerational, spanning the generational gap. Maybe everyone wants to be a fun-loving child at heart.
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3 comments:

  1. Matt HopkinsMay 1, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    I think it's important to remember that "Kim Wilde" and "Iron Maiden" weren't just pop culture icons to Marji and her friends and family; they were clear and concrete symbols of defiance and rebellion at the iron-fisted regime that ruled over Iran. In the same way that Marji's parents rebelled by throwing parties, Marji was able to show off her rebellion by listening to music and putting up decorations that would have otherwise been forbidden by the repressive government.

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  2. Greg DMay 1, 2012 at 12:14 AM

    It's easy to take advantage of all the freedoms we have here in the US and not recognize how disadvantaged people around the world are, even in the realm of free speech. Here we take for granted that we can say almost whatever we want in any forum without fear of government reprisal, whereas in countries like Iran simply alluding to anything western can land you in prison. For Marjane, America is like a promised land--but not because of capitalism or industry or any of that. Marjane dreams of America simply because at least there she would be able to speak her mind and turn up the music as loud as she wants.

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  3. ArielMay 1, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    I agree with both comments. America is portrayed in a certain light when referenced through another culture. American-pop culture becomes and holds a certain sense of rebellion for those who live in a more repressive government. These objects hold a certain presence of distain towards the political aspects a person from a repressive culture cannot voice. American objects become symbols.

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