Symbolism in Persepolis

For this week’s jazzy journal, I decided to focus on the veil and Marjane’s bed.
  
The veil- 

In the very first chapter of the book, Persepolis, we are introduced to the veil that the women are required to wear. To Satrapi, the veil symbolizes the persecution of women in Iran. As a young girl, Satrapi did not like wearing the veil because she simply did not understand why she should be forced to cover up her voice and freedom. Her conflicting views are shown on page six where Marjane says “I really don’t know what to think about the veil. Deep down I was very religious, but as a family, we were very modern and avant-garde.” Marjane felt that she was put on this earth to accomplish remarkable things in life but that the veil put a wrench in her plans. She also did not like having her bilingual school being shut down. As the years continued the importance of the veil only grew. Satrapi’s mother, Taji, went through an awful experience because she was not wearing the veil out in public. Taji’s car had broken down and while she waited for her husband and Marjane to come to pick her up she was abused by two men. When asked by her husband what the two men had done to her Taji exclaimed that “They insulted me. They said that women like me should be pushed up against a wall and raped then thrown in the garbage and that if I didn’t want that to happen, I should wear the veil” (Satrapi 74). The veil plays a huge role in the wardrobe of women and that if women refuse to wear it there will be consequences.  

Marjane’s bed- 

Throughout the story, Satrapi mentions and shows through her drawings that her bed is significant. This is where the majority of Marjane’s thoughts and ideas are developed. The bed is mentioned during Satrapi’s moments of maturity. To me, her bed symbolizes that there is a better world out there that exists for Marjane and her family. Her bed is the place where Marjane feels the safest as she can let her freedom run wild. Her bed is also the place where she speaks with God. Satrapi states that “Every night I had a big discussion with God.” And when she told God that she needed more time God responded with “Yes you are celestial light, you are my choice, my last and best choice” (Satrapi, 12). Marjane’s bed brings her a sense of comfort and security which Marjane finds immense joy in.