Iran: Under the Influence of Western Influence

Western influence has both positive and negative impacts on Iranian society. The "western" ideas of modern/open-minded thinking, "avant garde" ideas, and secular values are constantly being pushed up against the orthodox, modest, and religious (Islamic) thinking in Iran. The veil, cinema, and belief in God are motifs in Persepolis that connect to the idea of opposition to Western influence. Marji's character develops throughout the story as she begins to think more for herself and believe less in things being taught to her in school.

Religion conHer relationship with God is something specific that is very strong in her younger years, and deteriorates as she gets older as a result of her parents and Western influence. She tells us at the beginning of the novel that she believes she is next prophet and gets visited by God every night. Then, after hardships occur and faith is broken, Marji shuts God out of her life indefinitely (pg. 70). I find it interesting how the Iranian people naturally created a society in which religion so greatly dominates the everyday life of both religious people and non-religious people. During this period in Iran, each individual had to pick a side: one of religious faith/orthodoxy, or one of rebellious, Westernized values.

The juxtaposed values (pg. 6 demonstrates this in the dichotomous image of Marjane) between those who accept and those who reject modern Western ideas prove to be the root cause of all conflicts in Persepolis. They are the underlying cause for the corruption in the government and religious leaders whose actions do not reflect the values of their religion. As a result of a society polarized on the idea of whether or not to accept Western ideas, Iran became a country ridden with social class problems, revolutions and, ultimately, war.