I feel that throughout Persepolis sentiment and politics mix a lot. Her family has their views on the constant changes that Iran is going through, and as a westernized/modern family their opinions are naturally going to be the root of the household.
You constantly see Marji’s family worried about the other families and friends they have. You see the death of Neda and how that affects Marji. After that point, she doesn’t care about being rebellious anymore. I think that is one major example of the politics of Iran and personal feelings coming together.
Probably the biggest example in the entire book is when Marji’s parents send her away to Austria. If it were not for the political problems of Iran, and the stressful situation of the family’s modern lifestyle being threatened, then Marji probably wouldn’t have ended up in another country. The parents care for their daughter mixed with their beliefs and produced an outcome that otherwise would most likely be unnecessary.
Another example that is woven into the story is how Marji’s parents instill their values in her. She grows up seeing her parents at demonstrations and fighting for their rights, and even though some of her personality may be hereditary, she ultimately grows up (aside from a few rebellious deviations from her parents) to feel the same way about the regime’s oppression. Her personality is shaped by the politics of the time period.
Overall, I feel like the statement made my Marji’s father is a wish rather than a fact. It would be nice if the politics didn’t mix with the personal lives of the people in Iran, but sadly that is a far fetched dream. In fact, their lives were built around politics, and while that may not be the best case scenario, it is the truth for Marji and her family.
Reading and Writing 
This is very much how I feel about it. Every thing we’re involved with is hyper charged by emotion. People use sentiment and emotions to relate to the world around them, especially in a world that makes so little sense. Every family in Irania was touched by the political choices of their government and leaders, and have reflexively formed their opinions through their experiences and how they made them feel. If no sentiment was attached, there would be no need to protest or fight, really.
I enjoy how you bring up the emotionally charged political standings playing into how she is raised, and the choices her family makes on her behalf out of love for their child. They really do want her to grow up strong and opinionated, and know they must protect her from herself and the political setting of where they live if she’s to be safe.
Hello!
I think that we had several similar ideas that we brought into our posts over this discussion question. I agree with you that the biggest way in which the family defies the ideas of sentiment vs. politics is by sending Marji away. If her father truly agreed with the statement that he made, he would not have send Marji to Austria to flee the hardships that Iran was facing. That act in and of itself screams personality. How much more personal can you get?
Another statement that you made that is appealing to me was when you stated that perhaps some of Marji’s actions are hereditary. I have never fondled that possibility, yet it seems that it is a valid reason for some of her early religious ideals. From religion to revolutionary ideals when she moves into her adolecense, Marji comes from a background of people who are strong and want to sustain the Iran that they adore. These actions are very culturally based, and I think it is very profound that you interpreted them in that way.
I also really enjoy the idea that you closed your post with. I think that it is an interesting interpretation to say that Ebi’s statement was a wish rather than a fact. I would have never thought of the statement in that way, but since you brought it up, I think you are absolutely correct. Perhaps he shared this wish with his daughter in a manner not to scold or teach her, but in a way that shares his inner heart and desires for his country. He seems to be an idealistic man, and this would coorelate with that personality trait.
Great post!
Aubri Middleton
I agree it is a wish more than a fact. Perhaps something Mr. Satrapi said more to himself than to another, a vital thing to know about him.
The truth is that Marji’s parents are very political. Her father is very active in politics, going to rallies for years and sneaking around, taking pictures illegally. Her mother is descended from their last emperor and was a featured picture and symbol in the media during her opposition to the revolution at a rally. There was no chance for Marji to escape politics and it intertwines within her life and family.
The example you provided of Marji being sent away to Austria is the best example in the book. How could there be no sentiment involved if they sent away their child (only child, if I remember correctly), whom they love very much, to another country where she could be safe? If there were no sentiment at all actually, they would be doing the same thing as their nosy neighbors across the street were doing (completely adopting the culture along with the rules and laws) instead of merely doing it as a front and acting differently in secret.
I total agree that Marji, her family and the people of Irans life was based on politics which did not give them any time or desire to have thoughts of sentiment. However her family was very concerned aboth the lives of their friends, and they stood firm on what they believed in.