Character Biographies

To me, a story is not what makes a story great, but it is the characters that truly drive the story.

Major Characters:

Rabten Gyaltso:

“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.” - Albert Einstein

When Rabten was born on December 16, 1984, he came out as a smiling baby with a set of full black hair at the top of his head. He was first given the name of Kipu, which in Tibetan means “happy”, and he certainly was quite a happy child, even in the midst of the Chinese oppression against the Tibetans. His personality fits his zodiac sign as a Sagittarius, because he is jovial and good-humored. Rabten also has a very optimistic and positive outlook on life. He was born into a family of five, him being the youngest, and was raised in the capitol city of Lhasa. His father, Jangbu Yeshe, was a dear friend of the Dalai Lama when they were younger and had continued their friendship into their adulthood. Four years after Rabten was born, in 1988, riots and protests broke out throughout all of China and Tibet and China enforces Martial Law. Rabten’s eldest brother became a part of the rioting, and was accidentally killed, when one of the riots got out of hand. In contrast, Rabten’s eldest sister however, married a Chinese soldier when she was just sixteen and ran away with him to live in Hong Kong. His remaining two brothers became monks at a young age. Rabten’s two brothers are where he gained inspiration from to want to become a monk. He and one of his brothers, Jigme, were incredibly close with one another. Jigme was Rabten’s own personal protector and teacher.

All of his life Rabten yearned to become a monk and to be a part of a monastery. During Rabten’s early childhood, he would visit the monastery often and admire the monks inside them, wishing he could be one of them. Everyday he would sit in the front steps of the Drepung Monastery and wait eagerly for the monks to come out and visit the villages. One day, when Rabten was seven years old, a monk visited his village and recognized Rabten from the temple. The monk told his parents that he had a vision that Rabten was destined to serve Buddha. As in Tibetan tradition, the monk wrote to the Dalai Lama, who then wrote back giving Rabten (who was then named Kipu) a new name. The seven year old Kipu became, Rabten Gyaltso, which in full translation meant “steadfast/faithful” and “ocean of enlightened qualities”. From then on Rabten lived in the monastery to study, learn, and live through his passion of Buddhism. Many of the young women in his village thought it was almost a waste for Rabten to become a monk because of his dashingly handsome and debonair looks. When Rabten entered his teenage years he had out-grown his round childish face, and it became more chiseled and defined. By the age of fifteen he had grown to be six feet tall, with a lean but muscular built. He often towered over the elder monks when they would walk around the village. Although he had many attractive features, the most “eye-catching” part of his body were the beautiful deep chocolate-brown circular pools underneath his eyelids. Rabten’s eyes were filled with such wisdom and understanding beyond his years. However at certain moments, his eyes would turn into an inferno of rage and anger, just to turn back into the gentle brown jewels that they were before.

At fifteen, Rabten decided to go venture into India and be a part of a monastery there. It was then that Rabten caught the eye of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rabten became a pupil of the Dalai Lama, and traveled alongside him while he toured many countries sharing his teachings around the world. Rabten also aspires to become like the Dalai Lama, and hopes to one day provide his teachings of peace, love, and forgiveness to others.

Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso):

“There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, and our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”– Dalai Lama

An infectious smile and big square-rounded glasses are the trademark characteristics of Tenzin Gyatso, also known as “His Holiness” the fourteenth Dalai Lama. How can anyone not help but love this man? His philosophy and perspective on life is unmatched by others, and although he is only seventy-two, the wisdom he possesses is that of a man who’s lived for centuries. His dark brown eyes are filled with the compassion, kindness, and patience of a simple Buddhist monk, whose own personal journey is what has made him to become the man he is today.

This holy man was born on July 6, 1935, to a peasant family in north-eastern Tibet. It is said that a monk had a vision about Tenzin, (who was first named Lhamo Dhondup), that he was the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lamas. The monks visited his village and he underwent a series of different tests to determine whether or not he was the next Dalai Lama. What confirmed his true title, was when he, who was nearly two years old at the time, choice one item, among many items, that belonged to the thirteenth Dalai Lama. He was then given the name Tenzin Gyatso, Tenzin meaning “protector of dharma or doctrine” and “keeper of bond/teachings”. The Dalai Lama definitely stayed true to his name.

Throughout Tenzin’s childhood, he was groomed and prepared to become the Dalai Lama, and an educated one at that. By the time he was six, the Dalai Lama began his education in which he studied ten subjects in total; five major and five minor. Throughout this time, he didn’t experience the typical childhood that children his age had. Most of his days were filled with schooling, studying the intricacies of the Buddhist philosophy and meditating in the temple. Although the Dalai Lama was wise and sophisticated beyond is years, there was a part of him that yearned to just be a normal child, to run free and play amongst the other children his age. While on a visit to one of the local villages, Tenzin met Rabten’s father. Instantly the boys became good friends, and although Tenzin was quite hesitant at first to have a friend, his instinctive human nature immediately made him warm up to Jangbu Yeshe. However the two young boys barely saw each other, but every week they would write and send letters to one another. One day in 1949, Jangbu gave Tenzin a small carved wooden dragon and eagle, which were both small enough to fit onto a charm bracelet. Jangbu gave it to Tenzin as a token of their friendship, because he knew that after the Chinese had invaded Tibet, he wouldn’t be able to see him for quite a while. What ensued after that fateful year of 1950, has stayed and will forever remain inside Tenzin’s heart.

He officially became both the political and spiritual leader of Tibet in 1950 due to the invasion of communist Chinese forces. In these times of fear and uncertainty, Tenzin himself was filled with doubt and concern for the future of his country. In 1959, a Tibetan uprising against the Chinese caused a lot of chaos and destruction on both sides. It was when the Chinese retaliated that the true pandemonium happened. The Dalai Lama was confused and in circles, at one point inside a monastery he started to panic and sweat. To calm down he started to meditate, and it was at this time that he received his first visit from the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi. From then on, whenever the Dalai Lama felt such strong emotion, like rage, anger or confusion, he was visited by the spirit of Gandhi, and later on the spirits of other extraordinary peacemakers like him. The Dalai Lama was torn when he finally left his beloved country of Tibet, but he also understood that it was the most logical decision he had to make.

Since his departure from Tibet, the Dalai Lama has made continuous efforts to develop diplomatic relations with China and to enlighten others around the world with his knowledge and philosophy. He has traveled around the globe to share his teachings, and has even met the likes of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities and stars. Every once in a while when he would struggle with a certain situation, he would go into deep in meditation to talk once again with a friend; whether it be Gandhi, John Lennon, or any other spokesman of peace and unity.

Lobsang Namkha:

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. - Mark Twain

One of the most important lessons that Lobsang Namkha has learned throughout his sixty-five years of life, is that one must forgive but never forget. The events in his life shaped the foolish young man into a sculpture of a wise and disciplined monk.

Lobsang was born prior to the Chinese invasion on April 16, 1942 in the capitol city of Tibet, Lhasa. He grew up in a large family of seven, five of them girls, while him and his brother were the only two sons. His family led a humble yet comfortable life, and their father was a local store owner in the city, while his mother was an exquisite and experienced weaver. Lobsang himself learned a thing or two about weaving from his mother and sisters, although his heart lay within the horses. Lobsang’s uncle owned a stable a mile away from his village, and he would often trek down to meet him so that he could tend to the horses. Lobsang was nine years old when the Chinese invaded the capitol of Lhasa and established military forces. One day, when their father refused to provide free supplies from the store to a Chinese soldier, Lobsang’s father was shot in cold blood in front of him and his sister. That incident created the foundation of Lobsang’s anger toward the Chinese, an anger which would later grow with intensity.

By the age of seventeen Lobsang, like Rabten had grown into a fine and handsome strapping man. He stood tall and strong next to any Chinese soldier, while his full lips would often come out to a pout whenever he saw a soldier pass by. However his eyes then differed very much from the eyes he looks through now. When he was seventeen, his light brown eyes were filled with a sly confidence and at times, they could become so intense that it felt as if they would burn into your soul. However, whenever his eyes looked upon Nima Sangmu, he would immediately soften into a gaze of admiration and love. Lobsang and Nima had been young childhood friends since they were five. In a way, Lobsang always knew he loved Nima, but it wasn’t until they were older that his love for her fully blossomed. One look at Nima was all it took for Lobsang, and his heart would disperse into a million butterflies that fluttered within him. Lobsang became involved in the March 1959 Tibetan uprising, and gladly took the opportunity to revolt against the soldiers and the government that have oppressed his people. Nima wasn’t as headstrong as Lobsang, and didn’t fully participate in the uprising because she knew it was too dangerous. However, the Chinese fought fire with fire, which resulted in mayhem. Before Lobsang became involved in the rioting, Nima gave him her golden sun necklace for good luck and protection. Lobsang later found that Nima fell victim to the cause of the uprising and was killed in her own home alongside the rest of her family. Lobsang’s anger toward the Chinese reaches its peak, and Lobsang did something that till this day he still can not forgive himself.

Due to that incident, Lobsang lost a part of his right arm, and because he felt such remorse he wanted to join the monastery and become a monk to somehow repent for his transgressions. To this day he still wears the sun necklace that Nima gave to him. It was a remembrance of her love and his past so that he may forgive himself and other men for what they’ve done, and to always remember to never forget.

Less-Major Characters:

Nima Sangmu

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” - Mark Twain

Widely known around her village as the “ray of sunshine” of Lhasa, Nima, which fittingly means “sun”, is the compassionate lover of Lobsang Namkha. Why she is called the the ray of sunshine widely refers to not only her physical beauty, but her aura and presence is known to light up any room and fill the inhabitants of that room with warmth.

Born on February 25, 1943, Nima Sangmu came out of her mother’s womb without a single tear or a single sound of a cry come out of her mouth. She was born a few miles outside of Lhasa, until her family moved into the capitol city when she was about five years old. It was at this age when she first met Lobsang outside of his father’s store. The two children immediately hit it off, and became friends. Lobsang would often take Nima with him when he visited his uncle’s stable and together they tended to the horses. When Nima turned fourteen, her transformation from a timid and shy girl into a beautiful and kindhearted woman had become aparent. Her petite stature and luxurous flowing long black hair only contributed to her appeal. But most of all, her smile was what stopped the hearts of many men. Lobsang was one of the first to notice this transformation and soon, he and Nima were in love. The moments with Lobsang were one of the most important and cherished moments in Nima’s life. Like Lobsang’s mothers and sisters, Nima was a skilled weaver. The techniques and secrets to weaving have been passed down in her family for generations, and Nima was one of the most skilled weavers for her age in all of the village. She often day dreamed about married life with Lobsang, and when she had the time she weaved extravegent baby clothes. Her aspirations often revolved around Lobsang, and although Nima is a very kind and compassionate person, her pleasant personality is also what makes her naïve.

Nima highly disagreed with the protests and rioting in 1959, because she truly hated how there was so much tension between the two parties; both Tibetan and Chinese. Although Nima experienced the oppression and injustices of the Chinese invasion, she still believed that it would be wrong to strike back with violence. There was only one object that Nima cherished more than anything, and that was her golden sun necklace. It had been a family airloom, and it is said that the necklace had originally belonged to a princess in during the reign of the Guge Kingdom. Nima gave her necklace to Lobsang so that he would be somehow protected and be given luck. However, it was Nima who truly needed the necklace. While in their waiting for the protesting to pass, Chinese soldiers raided their town and killed her and her family.

Jigme Goba

“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?”- Buddha

Jigme Goba has lived up to the name that the monks had given him when he first entered the monastery. His immeasurable courage and strength have rightfully titled him a Jigme Goba, or a “fearless eagle”. One of the most progressive monks of his kind, Jigme is the embodiment of an entire nation exasperated because of the Chinese oppression.

Born to be a Scorpio on November 18, 1979, Jigme stays true to his Scorpio nature. He is incredibly determined, strong, powerful and passionate, and at times a little hard-headed. Unlike Rabten, Jigme had not always aspired to become a monk. In fact, one of the goals that Jigme had as a young child was to become a diplomat for Tibet and become more involved in the fight for the freedom and independence of his country. He was especially upset about the 1988 incident that killed his eldest brother, whom he had admired and grew close to. However, being one of the older brothers in the household, Jigme decided to take the role as the protector of the family. Jigme also grew very attached to Rabten, because he did not only see Rabten as his younger brother, but for him, Rabten was a faithful companion. When they were younger Jigme would often carry Rabten on his back around town and would defend his brother against bullies. Although he comes off to be the strong silent type, Jigme has a very amusing sense of humor that could cheer anyone up. Jigme is also anything but silent. He is a true diplomat at heart, and often speaks his mind about his feelings towards the Chinese.

Jigme’s life path took a drastic turn when he turned twelve years old. He became influenced by a young monk in a nearby monastery and became convinced to become a monk himself. Although Jigme isn’t your conventional monk, he excelled well in comprehending Buddhist philosophy. He not only learned it, but it was a way of life for him. It greatly upset him however, when Rabten decided to join a monastery in India, but in a way Jigme always knew that Rabten was destined for greatness.

Jigme’s strong personality got the best of him when he and other monks started uproar in Lhasa. Other people became involved, and soon buildings were being burnt and Jigme wanted to make a message clear that he and his people want freedom. Although, however important and strong his intentions were, it did not prepare for what was to happen to his fate.

Story Abstract – Synopsis of a Sequential Art Tale of the Struggle of Tibet

The clash between China and Tibet ensued in centuries and centuries of war and blood shed. For years, Tibet endured oppression and many hardships as the Tibetan people continue to fight for their country’s independence. In this sequential art piece, the tale of Tibet and its people’s efforts is told through the eyes of a great leader and the people who are in the midst of it all.
The story begins at an elevated point in the current Tibetan situation. The event started on March 10, which was about the same time nearly over forty years ago that another riot rose against the Chinese rule. The uproar was lit aflame by monks in a monastery who wanted to bring back the Dalai Lama from exile. The tale is first told through the perspective of a young monk, Rabten Gyaltso, who accompanies the Dalai Lama in his sanctuary in India and in his travels. When Rabten first hears the news about this surprising occurrence, he immediately tries to find the Dalai Lama. He finds that the Dalai Lama is in the temple, but Rabten also hears him talking to someone. The Dalai Lama is actually in deep meditation and his spirit has ventured out of the confines of his body and talks to the spirit of Ghandi about the current plight that he faces. Rabten is shocked and embarrassed to see this. Once the Dalai Lama finishes his discussion with Ghandi, he and Rabten have a conversation of their own. Rabten is very wise for his young age, however he sees the protesting as justified and right. It is at this point that the Dalai Lama’s wisdom comes into play and decides to show Rabten the true nature of what is happening, by showing him excerpts of the pivotal moments in Tibetan History.
The Dalai Lama takes Rabten into a spiritual journey into the past, to a time where one may be able to see the true ramifications of a country torn by conflict. In the beginning of their journey the Dalai Lama briefly shows the life of Buddha through many different colorful visions, that display the teachings of Buddha himself. Then, their journey brings them forward into the 20^th century into the life of the Dalai Lama, looking over the beginnings of the making of a great spiritual leader. They are soon brought into 1950, the year when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army invaded Tibet. In that same year the Dalai Lama becomes the official spiritual and political leader of Tibet when he was merely fifteen years old. Their journey takes a turn when they look into the life of one Tibetan boy who is in the middle of this invasion. Lobsang Namkha was just nine years old when the Chinese raided and occupied his village, and he lost is father to a Chinese soldier when his father refused their demands. Eight years later in 1959, Lobsang is in love with Nima, a young village beauty admired by everyone. In that same year, there was a Tibetan uprising against the Chinese, because Tibetans couldn’t take the injustice any longer. Lobsang becomes a part of the protests, but along with that he, the Dalai Lama and Rabten witness the horrific atrocities and incidents that were brought upon the Tibetan people. The Chinese retaliated to the riots with a vengeance; monasteries were burned, women were raped, thousands of innocent men, women and children were massacred. In the midst of this the Dalai Lama was undergoing confusion, fright, and his spirit was weakened to oversee the Chinese as they raped his land and his people. He was barely twenty four when the uprising tookplace. In this time, he received one of his first visits from Ghandi who helped console the Dalai Lama about what was happening. The perspective then goes back to Lobsang, who then finds that Nima has been abused and murdered by a Chinese soldier. Out of anger and vengeance, Lobsang hastily attempts to kill a Chinese soldier but in turn injures his arm to the point where it must be amputated. After realizing what he has done, Lobsang tries to make amends and becomes a monk. However, within that same year of 1959, the Dalai Lama was forced into exile and nearly one hundred thousand of Tibetans were forced to migrate out of the country. The journey takes on a brief compilation of events focusing on the Dalai Lama’s own journey and his struggle to bring upon freedom, justice, and independence for his beloved country.

Their spiritual journey comes to an end and Rabten is incredibly enlightened from it. Although it has been said that the Dalai Lama is the one who has justified and overlooked these protests, it became clear to Rabten that rioting and violence are not always the effective way to gain freedom. Having had this sudden epiphany, Rabten returns to Tibet to hopefully find his family and aid in the current situation. However, when he comes back (he hasn’t been in Tibet since he was fifteen), he finds that his city is still filled with riots and uproar. Soon, he discovers that his head strong brother, Jigme, who is also a monk, was arrested along with many other people who were involved in the riots. Rabten travels around the capitol city of Lhasa to try to empathize with his fellow Tibetans, but still warn them that these protests are not safe or right to themselves. News then arrived to Rabten that a monastery was let afire and forty monks were burned alive inside the monastery. Rabten was incredibly distressed and outraged at what happened, and almost wanted to retaliate and bring upon more riots and protest. But then he remembered the spiritual journey that he and the Dalai Lama went through and he understood what he must do. He left Tibet, but he did not join the Dalai Lama again in India. Rabten set his own mission, very much similar to the Dalai Lama’s, and decided to provide the world with his own teachings, based on the teachings of Buddha and the Dalai Lama. In this way he would be able to enlighten others as well and spread the word of peace, love and forgiveness.

Persepolis- A New Start

While in Austria, Marji experiences all of the freedoms, rights, and opportunities which she would have never had were she to stay in Iran. At first she is fascinated and intrigued by the people in Austria, and felt like she was where she belongs. She belonged in a country where a woman could become the next Marie Curie, wear all the clothes that she wants and speak her mind freely with no inhibitions whatsoever. She goes to a local college near where she lives, and gets caught in the crowds of people. The punk era is in full swing in Austria, and Marji goes along for the ride. Marji then becomes a part of a crowd of young Austrians who are fascinated about her past. Marji willingly shares her experiences with them, and the group becomes close. While at school Marji get’s a lot of discrimination because of her Iranian heritage. Many people look at her and the Iranians as people from the stone age, people who are almost like savages. Marji becomes very upset about this, but even worse, embarrassed. During this time, she starts calling her parents less and less, and soon doesn’t call or write to them at all.

Years pass by and Marji almost removes her Iranian from her body. Whenever asked what nationality she is, her mouth begins to form the letter “I”, but what comes out of her mouth is “French”. She strays away from her former radical and politically driven friends and becomes a part of a new group of people. Soon she falls in love with one of the people in the group and they both become love-stricken and move in together. However, the guy soon finds out that Marji has been lying to him the whole time about who she was and they break off their relationship with haste. Marji is incredibly hurt because of this, but not because of the break up, but of what she has become. She realizes how much she has changed and how much of a horrible person she was. She was doing her country an injustice by pretending to be someone that she wasn’t. After this startling revelation Marji finally calls home. When she dialed home, she came to find that the number was disconnected. So she went back to the first house she lived in when she came to Austria, and found that her parents have been setting her letters for the past few years. In the most recent letter, Marji discovers that her grandmother has died. She clutched the letter in her hands as tears fell onto the paper and ink slowly dripped down. Enclosed in the letter is the new telephone number of her parents. She calls the number and her parents finally speak for the first time years. During their conversation, Marji pleads her parents for her to come back home. However, her parents refuse the proposal saying that it would just be best if Marji stayed where she was. Marji feels incredibly saddened by this, but she realized her parents concerns and obeyed. From then on whenever someone asked her ethnicity, she always quickly responded and said, “I am Iranian”.

A few more years pass by and Marji moves to France, where she goes back for more schooling and learns the art of graphic novels. In 2001, after the September 11 attacks, there became an incredible amount of prejudice against Muslims and the religion of Islam. Marji becomes deeply affected by this, and thought that it was time to enlighten the people of the world. So, she told her story.

Persepolis was a truly moving and gratifying story of tragedy and triumph told with such unique style. The story itself has enlightened me and opened my eyes to see and learn about the true history of Iran. I was able to gain an understanding about how much the world today is biased and one-sided about the Islamic culture and the Islamic Revolution, and then actually being able to negate those perceptions. I love this book and I love this movie as well. I will take the knowledge obtained from reading this incredible book and remember that, “One can forgive. But one cannot forget”.

Persepolis - A Girl in the Midst of It All

The graphic novel Persepolis itself chronicles the heartbreaking and tantalizing experiences of Marjane Satrapi. It seems that as her country transforms and changes in her eyes, Marji changes also changes through the eyes of the reader.

From the very start, a reader gets a taste of Marji’s curious yet strong personality and how her persona drives her own views and opinions about her and the world around her. At first, Marji seems to be an intelligent yet naïve girl who is strongly connected by her religion. Every night she would talk to God and she believed that she was the last Prophet. As a prophet Marji wanted to bring upon justice by having maids eat with the families they serve and never let the elders suffer, all of which were ideas that came about because of her experience. Marji seemed to realize the hierarchical society that she lived in. A society where the proletariat were at the bottom, because they were the working class people who didn’t have fancy belongings. Her religious belief also affects her views about her country, because she believed that the Shah was chosen by god himself. She later finds that her grandfather was the true prince and was overthrown by the Shah’s father. However, being the child that she was she didn’t recognize the significance of what her father told her, but just the fact that her grandfather was the prince.

When the Islamic Revolution came, her charismatic and determined personality was brought out as she herself wanted to join the revolution. She had different alter egos that ranged from Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and Leon Trotsky, whom she admired because they were revolutionaries. Her parents were very liberal and participated a lot in demonstrations and protests. Marji wanted to join them on their endeavors, and she seemed to be proud of how passionate her parents were about the revolution. However, soon Marji felt somewhat disappointed and felt like her parents weren’t true “heroes” or martyrs of the revolution because they weren’t punished in jail for their beliefs, nor did they die for them. She later rewarded with an uncle who in her perception was a true hero, because he was incarcerated for numerous years for fighting for what he believed in. After her uncle’s death, Marji’s views started changing even more. When the Iran and Iraq War began, Marji was truly able to feel the oppression that the Islamic Revolution had brought upon their country. Unlike other Middle Eastern secular countries, like Iraq, Iranian government is led and is based on the religion of Islam. Marji had to lead a life where freedoms were taken away, because certain rights or actions were considered decadent. Under they eyes of the Islamic fundamentalists those actions were immoral. By this time, Marji was more rebellious against the Islamic Rule and against the war itself. She was quite affected when she learned of how boys close to her age were already being trained and set out for war. She felt it to be unjust because people who lived in the poorer areas were often the ones who went to war.

As a teenager Marji’s rebellion seemed even more apparent, as she opposed the teachings at school and the teachers themselves. Marji realized that the words spoken by the teachers and from the textbooks were anything but veritable, because she knew that what was said was propaganda. Marji had a reservoir of knowledge about the revolution and about the war, because she knew so much. She knew the real truth, and did not want to let the teachers extract it. One of the most pivotal moments she experienced as a teenager was when a bomb hit the area where she lived. Although her family and her were not hurt, she witnessed the atrocities and gruesome result of it. In a way she was traumatized by it, because she knew that it could have been her and her family. As the story progresses even further, Marji delves deeper into her transition from childhood to adulthood, as the war and her experience under Islamic Law intensifies. She is confused yet wise about how the people of Iran viewed martyrs. One of the things that confused her the most was the saying, “to die a martyr is to inject blood into the veins of society”. However a woman that she knew that died for a cause as a communist, did not seem to inject her blood in society, but her blood was spilled onto the hands of society. The government, specifically the Iranian National Guard, try to execute their wrongdoings in clandestine, so that the public wouldn’t know. However, everyone knew what happened to those who opposed the regime.

Marji’s parents understood and realized all of the injustices as well, and knew that their daughter could no longer stay in Iran. They wanted to provide Marji with the best education possible, and unfortunately she would not get it in Iran. So it was decided that she be sent to Austria to continue the education someone like her so rightfully deserved. When she knew she was going to leave, she knew her parents wouldn’t come along with her, and most likely wouldn’t visit. So as she boarded the plane to Austria, she took with her the experiences she endured, the sweet smell of her grandmother’s bosom, her magnetic personality, the knowledge of war and freedom, and most of all, the memory of her country.

Persepolis - A History of a Nation Torn

Persepolis is a graphic novel-memoir based on the life and experiences of Marjane Satrapi during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Within the book itself, Satrapi provides the reader with the historical background of Iran, which is rich with culture. Iran, as it is known today, first became the home to Indo-Europeans invaders, who were semi-nomads and settled in the area. By around the seventh century B.C., the Medes society established the first civilization of Iran, which was later destroyed by Cyrus the Great. Once Cyrus the Great reigned over the country, he instituted the Persian Empire in the sixth century B.C, which was single handedly one of the most powerful civilizations of that era. The Persian Empire was subjected to many attacks from its neighbors due to the society’s wealth and its perfect geographic location. Iran was smack in the middle of the middle east, with Europe, Asia and Africa at its sides. Those who invaded the Persian Empire include Alexander the Great, the Turks, Mongols, and most recently, the western world.

Fast forward to the early twentieth century; the west, particularly the British, discover that there is an ocean of oil under the feet of Iranians. In 1925, the Qajar Dynasty is overthrown by Reza Pahlavi (Reza Shah) who was appointed by the British. Marjane Satrapi is directly affected by this occurrence, because her grandfather was the last prince of the Qajar Dynasty. Her grandfather later became a communist and was often thrown into prison for his beliefs, leaving her grandmother and their family to live in poverty. By 1935, Reza Shah changed the name of the nation from Persia to Iran. During World War II, Iran stayed a neutral country and Reza Shah refused to ally himself with any side, and as a result the Allies invaded Iran. In 1942 Reza Shah was put into exile and was then succeeded by his son, who came known to be as the “Shah”.

In the start of the Cold War Era, the Prime Minister of Iran, Mohammad Mossedeq nationalized the oil industry in 1951. This infuriated the British, who, in response created an embargo against Iran. Two years later, British Intelligence and the CIA compiled a coup against Prime Minister Mossadeq, putting the power back into the Shah’s hands and benefitting the British. By 1963, the Shah thrust Iran into a new era of modernization, which was referred to as the White Revolution. Many people opposed this new modernization and to the overall reign of the Shah. While still under the Shah’s reign, Iran had a border dispute with Iraq in the mid-seventies because of a harbor and area which was one of the centers of foreign trade, especially oil. In 1974, Iran began supplying weapons to Kurds in Iraq so that they may rebel against the Iraqi government. However, a year later they made a compromise with Iraq and stopped providing weapons. Throughout all of this, the people of Iran were still upset under the Shah’s reign and as a result of the numerous protests and demonstrations the country was put into Martial Law in 1978. One of the most tragic events that year was Black Friday, when the proletariat and the higher class alike protested and were killed. This occurrence upset many and it helped trigger the Islamic Revolution.

The Islamic Revolution was led by Ayatollah Khomeini, and Islamic Fundamentalist who was sent into exile in 1965 for opposing the Shah’s rule. Due to all of the pressure of the protests and demonstrations, the Shah fled Iran instructing the people to follow under Khomeini. By April of that year, Iran was proclaimed an Islamic Republic. By 1980, the full effects of the Islamic Revolution took place. Women were forced to wear the veil, schools were separated by sex, freedoms were repressed, and everyone had to abide by Islamic Law. That same year, Iraq invaded Iran and thus the Iran-Iraq War began. The word brought upon numerous ramifications to Iran. Bombs destroyed houses, streets, killed people, and worst of all young naïve Iranian boys were sent off to battle with “golden keys to paradise”. It is said that when they die, men will be rewarded with seventy-two virgins. Eight years after the war began, a cease fire was declared between Iran and Iraq, and by 1990 both nations restored their diplomatic relations. Marjane was able to leave Iran in the midst of the war, however everything that led up to her departure effected her perceptions of herself, family and of the country which she loved so dearly.