Without women, a society can’t thrive. Women are valued by the strongest and most advanced societies around the globe. However, women are not valued in the weakest countries. Nearly all developed nations allow women to have freedom and legal protection. Even the most powerful society can still have sexist ideas. Marjane Satrapi, in Persepolis 2 (her memoirs), describes how this social pattern was prevalent in both her Iranian culture and Austrian society. Iran’s government has strict policies and laws that oppress women. It is in chaos. Austria is a peaceful country where women are valued more and respected more. However, Satrapi’s Austrian female friends still suffer from sexism. Satrapi’s world is further altered when she is removed to a home with similar skin to her and transferred to a culture where her skin is not as shameful. Persepolis is a documentary that shows the inner workings of women’s lives in Iran and Austria.

Persepolis’ veil for women was both controversial and oppressive. Marjane in 1980 was 10 years old. In the Islamic Revolution era, Marjane had to wear a veil in school or public. These girls were not taught the significance of this and didn’t accept that they needed it. There was a riot in the streets between Iranian women and men over the morality of wearing the veil (Persepolis page 5). The Iranian people were thus divided. There were two types of Iranians: the fundamentalists wore long, full-length veil dresses and long, flowing gowns. The modern people wore a few hair strands to show their disapproval (Persepolis page 75). This outfit was a social statement about how Iran’s oppressed women should look. Even though it could happen by accident, a few hairs peeking from under the veil can be seen as rebellion. The problem is more than just the veil. Although it may appear that the veil is merely a piece, it can still be used to cover your head. When a government decides what one group of people can and cannot wear, oppression becomes a reality. This reflects the individual’s value to society. Marjane describes sorrow and helplessness among her Persepolis people, particularly the women. This sadness was tied around the chins of Iranian women. Marjane is going to Austria, Persepolis to learn more about the changing social values for women. Marjane has less need to cover her face in public. This is a sign that she respects women more. She can now live the life she defines as a “real, independent adult life” (Persepolis 2, p. 5). This is something she could not have done when she lived in Iran. However, European women behave very differently to Iranian women. Marjane’s European friends are promiscuous. This is something deeply detested in Iranian culture. Marjane’s experience of oppression is not as severe as that she experienced in Iran. Europe has more pressures than just a veil to conform. Women smoke pot, wear makeup and go to parties. Although the social codes of Austria for a respectable woman are different from Iran’s, they are just as rigid and powerful. Marjane finds it difficult to express herself in her new home. Although it appears that Marjane is living in a civilized environment, she soon discovers that her culture would make her feel marginalized. Satrapi shows us how women are still oppressed in first-world societies, regardless of how they look. Marjane must conceal her Iranian heritage and attempt to learn the European ways she was raised. Microaggressions are a regular occurrence. Her friends say that people only like Marjane “because she’s a girl.” It wouldn’t [be] the same if she was a girl with frizzy hair and dark skin,” (Persepolis 2, p. 74). Due to her race and sexual orientation, a double-edged blade is pointed at her. Marjane, a member of the same Iranian race, was subject to oppression. In Austria, however, her situation is different. Marjane is not content with her veil.

Satrapi, in Persepolis 2 as well as Persepolis 1, shows that Austria and Iran have exactly the same social codes. Austria is different in that the people make the decisions and are not forced to do so. It’s difficult to determine which is worse. Social norms make people submissive, while strict and unjust governmental laws weaken society. No society can be peaceful or strong if sexism exists in any society, regardless of whether it is in a developed country or not.

michaellang

Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.