Dear Marjane,
My name is Daisy Salcido and I’m from Los Angeles and for the past couple of weeks I have read and enjoyed your book. You have a unique and incredible story that I have learned a lot from. Many times as I go through life I look past all the privileges that I receive because I live in the United States and I receive so much then what you got growing up. Persepolis has made me not only learn about a different type of culture but has taught me the important thing in life.
Many times when I read your story it helps me understand that nothing in life is perfect. I feel that as a person I look over many of the problems that go on in life because I have not went through many of the experiences that you have gone through. There was one moment in my life where I have felt that life was not perfect. When the September 11th attacks happened I was just a little girl like you and I didn’t really know what was going on and what was happening. All I knew was that the United States was in chaos mode and I was somewhat scared to even go to school by all of what I was hearing and watching on the television. It was the biggest moment in my life where I actually saw danger in my home country.
Like any person reading your book I ask myself how you survived not only physically but mentally. I know that if I wasn’t able to do many of the things that you weren’t aloud to do I would have killed myself. I don’t know how I could live with being on check by the guardians not being aloud to dress and wear what I wanted. I don’t know how I would live knowing that at any moment in my life that someone can drop a bomb on me and my life would be over.
In conclusion I would just like to say that your book has taught me about life and has showed that I have a blessed life and I am fortunate to live in such a great country. You are not only a writer but you an inspiration not only to women and young girls but to all because you always did what you felt was right and you spoke your mind and stood up for what you believed and that takes a lot knowing that at any moment something can happen to you for standing up and that takes pride.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
For dear Marjane Satrapi
Dear Marjane Satrapi,
Hello!My name is Wendy Lin. I am a student from East Los Angeles College. I have read your book Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood for my English class. I am so glad that my professor has assigned this book for us as a required text since Persepolis is an awesome book which has taught me lots of things. I knew more about Iran history and culture after I read this book. My emotion changes along with Marji’s emotion. When I read the part that Marji was upset because her uncle’s death, I was upset too; when I read the part that Marji was happy because she got the presents which her parents bought her back from Turkey, I was happy too. I always have questions like “if I was Marji,I…”. In addition, as Persepolis is a graphic novel, I can infer many different things from the pictures along the text. It just like the people says, “A picture could tell a thousand words.” I think you have done a really great job on this book.
When I read this book, I found so many similarities between Marji and me such as we both love my family; we both wished we could be an adult in our early age; we both tried to behave like our parents, etc. I missed that period of time very much. I was so pure like Marji. I am so surprised that you could tell your childhood story in this way. I wish I am smart enough to write a graphic novel about my life. I think that would be cool.
As I grew up in China which is a communism country, I have heard many similar stories as Marji’s. For example, in the chapter of “The Wine”, the two guardians’ faith has actually nothing to do with ideology. All they needed were just a few bills and they will forget the whole thing. That is what my grandfather used to tell me all the time too. My grandfather always told me how unfair it was in China when he was young. Money could solve most of the problems and it always benefits to the rich people. So when I read your book, it reminds me a lot about what my grandfather used to tell me. I think I am going to tell my grandfather about your book. I might even try to translate your book to Chinese for my grandfather to read it. On the other hand, I grow up in a peaceful time period, so I have not experienced anything about wars or revolutions. As a result, I gain new understandings of how a person who lives in the war feels.
While I read your book, there are so many questions that pop up my head and I would like to ask you some of them. Why do you have such an idea to write a graphic novel to share your life experience to the other people? What was the biggest difficulty that you had when you wrote/draw this graphic novel? Which chapters of this book do you like best? Why? I apologize first if this is too much for you. However, I would love to know the answers of these questions.
Thank you very much for reading my letter. I appreciate all the hard work that you have done for this book. It is an awesome book and it worth to read more than one time.
Sincerely,
Wendy Lin
Dec-17-2009
Hello!My name is Wendy Lin. I am a student from East Los Angeles College. I have read your book Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood for my English class. I am so glad that my professor has assigned this book for us as a required text since Persepolis is an awesome book which has taught me lots of things. I knew more about Iran history and culture after I read this book. My emotion changes along with Marji’s emotion. When I read the part that Marji was upset because her uncle’s death, I was upset too; when I read the part that Marji was happy because she got the presents which her parents bought her back from Turkey, I was happy too. I always have questions like “if I was Marji,I…”. In addition, as Persepolis is a graphic novel, I can infer many different things from the pictures along the text. It just like the people says, “A picture could tell a thousand words.” I think you have done a really great job on this book.
When I read this book, I found so many similarities between Marji and me such as we both love my family; we both wished we could be an adult in our early age; we both tried to behave like our parents, etc. I missed that period of time very much. I was so pure like Marji. I am so surprised that you could tell your childhood story in this way. I wish I am smart enough to write a graphic novel about my life. I think that would be cool.
As I grew up in China which is a communism country, I have heard many similar stories as Marji’s. For example, in the chapter of “The Wine”, the two guardians’ faith has actually nothing to do with ideology. All they needed were just a few bills and they will forget the whole thing. That is what my grandfather used to tell me all the time too. My grandfather always told me how unfair it was in China when he was young. Money could solve most of the problems and it always benefits to the rich people. So when I read your book, it reminds me a lot about what my grandfather used to tell me. I think I am going to tell my grandfather about your book. I might even try to translate your book to Chinese for my grandfather to read it. On the other hand, I grow up in a peaceful time period, so I have not experienced anything about wars or revolutions. As a result, I gain new understandings of how a person who lives in the war feels.
While I read your book, there are so many questions that pop up my head and I would like to ask you some of them. Why do you have such an idea to write a graphic novel to share your life experience to the other people? What was the biggest difficulty that you had when you wrote/draw this graphic novel? Which chapters of this book do you like best? Why? I apologize first if this is too much for you. However, I would love to know the answers of these questions.
Thank you very much for reading my letter. I appreciate all the hard work that you have done for this book. It is an awesome book and it worth to read more than one time.
Sincerely,
Wendy Lin
Dec-17-2009
“Reading Persepolis”
Dear Marjane Satrapi,
My name is Melissa Aguayo. I am currently attending ELAC. It was required for both, my classmates and I to read and analyze your book, Persepolis. I must tell you, although this book was a little similar to comic strips, I was able to understand what was really going on in Iran by the panels u drew and wrote. There are many misunderstandings and stereotypes on what the “image” of Iran is. However, it was, really, your book that opened minds for many of us; especially for me. Your way of being brought up under fundamentalists made me compare your life to my own child’s life. I am very much grateful to live in a country where the first amendment of the Constitution is aimed at the freedom of press, religion and expression.
What I loved about your book, is that I was able to pick up many short lines and sentences and bring up a whole new conversation that helped me learn about a woman’s role in the Middle East. I admire you and the way you keep your pride about your country, Iran; how it had to overcome all these obstacles. It is truly inspiring to be a native from your country that had to put up with invasions for so many years and still keep up with the language and culture. “Persepolis” is definitely a book that I can read to my daughter in the future and pass on to friends and family. Also, through out reading the chapters, it was clear that you were brought up with support from both, your parents and grandmother. The communication between you and your family members was very strong. It was surprising to me when your father supported your beliefs, especially when you told the principal off. It was very strong of your parents and especially you to part ways in the airport. I do believe it was a very tough situation when you had to move to Austria. However, I didn’t really catch along well on why you had moved so much! Why were you from home to home? Why couldn’t your parents move with you? Overall, I think that you being outspoken, standing up for yourself, and have taken risks was the most inspirational in, “Persepolis”.
Again, “Persepolis” is definitely a great graphic novel with many descriptive illustrations. I was able to infer many images and make some predictions. Also, your novel pointed to me a realistic view on what’s going on across the globe. I am thankful for you being able to share your knowledge and experiences, especially to westerners, because we have an idea of Iran being very evil and “out of this planet“. Before, I had started reading your novel, I didn’t have much interest, but now I love it!
It's All About You
Dear Marjane Starpi,
I had recently finished reading your book, Persepolis. I had no Idea that I would it enjoy as much as I do. It makes me recall my childhood of how simple things were for me. Well it wasn’t exactly simple but I didn’t have to grow up during a revolution. From the first few chapters I sometime forgot that you were only ten years old. You seemed so mature for your age, or maybe more prepared.
From the pictures you drew to the words you said you had me captivated. I felt your ups and downs, I related to your emotions. Your confidence and strength is something I really admire and how with each chapter you became better.
We share some similarities an example is your relationship with your family. I too am very close to my family. Especially how wanted to become a prophet to help your Grandmother be relieved from pain. I used to take my Grandmother to see her doctor I hated how when we left he always told her there was another thing wrong with her, it always broke my heart. But I didn’t think I was special enough to become a prophet but maybe smart enough to become a doctor. I have great parents that support me too, although they might not always agree with me they still stand by me.
Faith and religion plays a big part in my life too, I have an uncle who is a priest, I used to think that he was my connection to God. But I never realized that I could be ignored. Like you during hard time I turned my cheek on my faith, although it would return I didn’t completely welcome it. In fact I still fight it. Do you feel the same way? Did you lose faith when your uncle died?
Like I had mentioned earlier I didn’t have such a hard life when I was younger my parents made decent money so we didn’t really struggle. I always had nice things I couldn’t complain. But friends would tell me I was spoiled or that things were too easy for me. While they were getting the short end of the stick I was out and about having all sorts of fun with no worries in the world. So when I read the chapter “the key” I felt my stomach turn. I almost wanted to hate myself, there is people all around the world that are struggling to live and here I was barely caring about what I was doing. I felt disgusted but I knew that did know any better when I was younger. Now that I have come reached the adult age I understand the large concepts in life. And how I can be both humane and selfish, there are situations that have helped me get to this point.
Those are our similarities but as for our differences there are also a few. The environment of where we grew up really affects how we become adults? You were in a revolution and I was growing up having to learn a new culture. I didn’t have to grow up with fear I was free to do as I liked without hurting anyone including myself. I was able to read books from all over the world, you had your opportunity taken away and revised.
We grew up in different worlds I would like to ask, if you regret growing up there? If so where would you have liked to go?
Sincerely,
Christy
Dear Assieh, December 17, 2009
Hi! It’s me, Mayra. I am writing to you once again and I want to take some time telling you about a book I had to read in my English 57. It’s called “Persepolis”, and it is written by Marjane Satrapi the book looks like a comic book, but it isn’t. It’s a graphic memoir. There is another part to this book and that book is called “Persepolis 2” and this one is also by Marjane Satrapi. I am really looking forward to reading the second part. Any ways let’s get back into topic and let me begin and tell you about “Persepolis”, it takes place in Iran in the city of Tehran. Marjane is the main character and she is only 10 years old. She lives with her parents and her maid. Apparently and unfortunately Marjane experienced the Iranian revolution with all of her family and friends. Marjane is a liberal person; she also thought that she could be the next prophet because she speaks to god. In the beginning of the story she tries to go to demonstrations the Iranian people had. Her parents never allowed her go because she was too young and besides all that she could of gotten hurt like a lot of people do when they attend the demonstrations. Marjane did go to one of the demonstrations and it was one of the worse demonstrations there were because so many people were killed and there was a rumor saying that the Iranians were killing their own people. Marjane starts changing and thinking more differently, she has seen so much violence and torture going on in her life she starts thinking that it is okay. So when she starts playing games with her friends and one of her friends loses to a game there is consequences. Guess what the consequences are Assieh. There torture! Marjane had been influenced by all the commotion going on throughout her life as a young little girl. Women and girls are also forced to wear veils and if they didn’t wear the veils some women would even get raped because it was said that hair would provoke sexual intercourse with women.
I would say that some of my life here in Los Angeles is somewhat the same. Women are getting raped everywhere and the age does not matter. I would also say that some women like to be looked at and be felt by a man. Women and even girls start wearing super short skirts and tight shirts that show a lot of cleavage to get a man’s attention but I don’t think that the Iranian women had that intention like some crazy women here. Another thing that is similar here as to over there is how a lot of people get influenced by almost everything, my sister and law has 3 brothers and 2 of them are from the marines and they have been influenced by their father to go to the marines. I believe war has their dad going crazy and all the shooting and the camp that they have to attend. I also have a nephew and he is 8 years old and he already wants to go to the marines when he gets older, it saddens me a lot because he doesn’t know what it is to be a marine and all the lies that are being told to him is heart breaking. My sister in laws siblings have brainwashed my own nephew into going into the marines.
Reading this book really changed the way I think and how I see things. I really admire Marjane Satrapi for being strong and not letting the revolution get to her because going through that is very tough and as I said before it can influence people do change and it can also provoke people to do horrible things in life. I really recommend you read this book Assieh and show it to all your peers over there in Iran and tell me what you think and what they thought and I hope to hear from you soon
Sincerely, Mayra Guzman
Hi! It’s me, Mayra. I am writing to you once again and I want to take some time telling you about a book I had to read in my English 57. It’s called “Persepolis”, and it is written by Marjane Satrapi the book looks like a comic book, but it isn’t. It’s a graphic memoir. There is another part to this book and that book is called “Persepolis 2” and this one is also by Marjane Satrapi. I am really looking forward to reading the second part. Any ways let’s get back into topic and let me begin and tell you about “Persepolis”, it takes place in Iran in the city of Tehran. Marjane is the main character and she is only 10 years old. She lives with her parents and her maid. Apparently and unfortunately Marjane experienced the Iranian revolution with all of her family and friends. Marjane is a liberal person; she also thought that she could be the next prophet because she speaks to god. In the beginning of the story she tries to go to demonstrations the Iranian people had. Her parents never allowed her go because she was too young and besides all that she could of gotten hurt like a lot of people do when they attend the demonstrations. Marjane did go to one of the demonstrations and it was one of the worse demonstrations there were because so many people were killed and there was a rumor saying that the Iranians were killing their own people. Marjane starts changing and thinking more differently, she has seen so much violence and torture going on in her life she starts thinking that it is okay. So when she starts playing games with her friends and one of her friends loses to a game there is consequences. Guess what the consequences are Assieh. There torture! Marjane had been influenced by all the commotion going on throughout her life as a young little girl. Women and girls are also forced to wear veils and if they didn’t wear the veils some women would even get raped because it was said that hair would provoke sexual intercourse with women.
I would say that some of my life here in Los Angeles is somewhat the same. Women are getting raped everywhere and the age does not matter. I would also say that some women like to be looked at and be felt by a man. Women and even girls start wearing super short skirts and tight shirts that show a lot of cleavage to get a man’s attention but I don’t think that the Iranian women had that intention like some crazy women here. Another thing that is similar here as to over there is how a lot of people get influenced by almost everything, my sister and law has 3 brothers and 2 of them are from the marines and they have been influenced by their father to go to the marines. I believe war has their dad going crazy and all the shooting and the camp that they have to attend. I also have a nephew and he is 8 years old and he already wants to go to the marines when he gets older, it saddens me a lot because he doesn’t know what it is to be a marine and all the lies that are being told to him is heart breaking. My sister in laws siblings have brainwashed my own nephew into going into the marines.
Reading this book really changed the way I think and how I see things. I really admire Marjane Satrapi for being strong and not letting the revolution get to her because going through that is very tough and as I said before it can influence people do change and it can also provoke people to do horrible things in life. I really recommend you read this book Assieh and show it to all your peers over there in Iran and tell me what you think and what they thought and I hope to hear from you soon
Sincerely, Mayra Guzman
Blanca Contreras
English 57
December 17, 2009
Hello Ms. Satrapri,
I’m writing this letter to let you know, I really enjoyed reading Persepolis. I found
the novel to be really motivating and inspiring. I really liked how you showed and told the
readers the story of your childhood. I also liked how you showed your
independence at such a young, how you believed in standing up for your rights and
protesting against the Islamic religious war. Although at first it was bit hard for me to
relate to your childhood since I didn’t grew up in a third world country, nor I was forced
to wear a veil and was not separated from my friends at school. As you see at first it was
bit hard for me to relate to your story. But as I kept reading and learning about your life
and the different things you had to go through at such a young age, I then realized I did
have a connection with you. I too admire my mother and see her as a role model. Just like
your mom, my mother also encourages me to be a better person. She does this by asking
me to get educated, independent and to always try my best at whatever I do!
I also found another similarity with you, I too was forced to grow up fast. It
wasn’t by choice, it was by life. I lost my father when I was 13 years old. He was my
hero, my friend, and my dad. When I lost him I too was mad at the world. I couldn’t
understand why God had taken him away from me, and I was angry. I had to become
strong and be supportive to my sister. But then I realize everything happens for a reason.
I would like to ask you a couple of questions. What does Persepolis means to you?
What part of writing Persepolis did you enjoyed the best? Also I know you, mention in
Persepolis that you liked reading Dialectic Materialism by Karl Marx, and Descartes by
Rene Descartes. Are these still your favorite authors/philosophers? If not, who is now
your favorite author? If you don’t have any, which books do you now enjoy reading? And
last, do you consider yourself as a role model? If not, you not you should. I think you
should take in consideration, because I find your novel to really motivating and inspiring.
I also think a lot of young girls, would be able to relate to your childhood. Just like I did.
Girls would be able to become motivated to be better persons, to be educated,
independent and to always stand up for what they belief in!
English 57
December 17, 2009
Hello Ms. Satrapri,
I’m writing this letter to let you know, I really enjoyed reading Persepolis. I found
the novel to be really motivating and inspiring. I really liked how you showed and told the
readers the story of your childhood. I also liked how you showed your
independence at such a young, how you believed in standing up for your rights and
protesting against the Islamic religious war. Although at first it was bit hard for me to
relate to your childhood since I didn’t grew up in a third world country, nor I was forced
to wear a veil and was not separated from my friends at school. As you see at first it was
bit hard for me to relate to your story. But as I kept reading and learning about your life
and the different things you had to go through at such a young age, I then realized I did
have a connection with you. I too admire my mother and see her as a role model. Just like
your mom, my mother also encourages me to be a better person. She does this by asking
me to get educated, independent and to always try my best at whatever I do!
I also found another similarity with you, I too was forced to grow up fast. It
wasn’t by choice, it was by life. I lost my father when I was 13 years old. He was my
hero, my friend, and my dad. When I lost him I too was mad at the world. I couldn’t
understand why God had taken him away from me, and I was angry. I had to become
strong and be supportive to my sister. But then I realize everything happens for a reason.
I would like to ask you a couple of questions. What does Persepolis means to you?
What part of writing Persepolis did you enjoyed the best? Also I know you, mention in
Persepolis that you liked reading Dialectic Materialism by Karl Marx, and Descartes by
Rene Descartes. Are these still your favorite authors/philosophers? If not, who is now
your favorite author? If you don’t have any, which books do you now enjoy reading? And
last, do you consider yourself as a role model? If not, you not you should. I think you
should take in consideration, because I find your novel to really motivating and inspiring.
I also think a lot of young girls, would be able to relate to your childhood. Just like I did.
Girls would be able to become motivated to be better persons, to be educated,
independent and to always stand up for what they belief in!
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