Identity in Persepolis

The chose to use the tool of identity.

Throughout Persepolis Marji is constantly trying to create a sense of identity, like all adolescents do. However her adolescence is a bit different because it is during the Iranian Revolution, a time where she is forced to dress and act a certain way in public.  On pg. 131 we see how Marji moves into her teen years and brings to life her inner "teenager," which is clearly influenced by Western culture; in order for her to enjoy this Western cultural influence on her life she has to do so in the privacy of her own bedroom.  Although she has to abide to Iranian law by wearing her headscarf in public, behind closed doors she expresses herself as best as she can in an attempt to create her own sense of identity.  The pictures on pg. 130-131 show Marji receiving a pair of Nikes and posters that her parents brought back for her and you can tell her how happy she is in the images.  Marji then hangs up the posters in her room, listens to Western music, and dresses in her "...denim jacket with the Michael Jackson button, and of course, my headscarf" (131).  This shows Marji's attempts at trying to gain a sense of freedom and to grow into her own person even if she is only able to do so in small ways.

Dear Younger Courtney...

A letter to my 16/17 year old self...

Courtney,

Although you just shrug it off when your parents say that time goes by faster than you think, don't. Listen to them, and not only that but engage in conversation with them. Realize that they were once your age and that they understand what you are going through. Recognize the sacrifices that your Dad makes each and every day for your family and thank him more often for being an incredible human being.  Send encouragement to your brother regularly and don't forget to remind him that you are cheering for him every day and that you truly love and care about him. A simple text can change someones day. It may not seem like he needs it at the time, but he really does. Give extra kisses and "I love you's" to Gram and Grandpa because one day your going to wake up and realize that the comfort they give you is exactly what you need, and that your family is undeniably the most important part of your life. You might think they are all just one big mess, and your totally right about that. But, those are the people who are with you every step of the way and who keep you accountable for your actions so that you end up as a confident and successful young woman. Understand that things in life aren't fair, and that there is nothing you could have done to change the way certain situations turned out. Keep praying and don't lose touch with God just because life starts to get busy and less simple. You need God the most when you feel like you do the least. Keep your head high and stay confident. Your girlfriends are your rock, don't take them for granted. What you put into a relationship is what you get out of one. Smile at everyone, it may just make their day. Worry a lot less about how you look and which boys like you, because I can guarantee you will not find your worth through those boys. I can also guarantee that someone is going to come along and he will show you why it never worked out with anyone else. This will happen sooner than you think, so brace yourself for that journey and enjoy every minute of it. Stay true to who you are in every circumstance your put in and in every relationship you form. Study hard, and don't worry, you will survive pre-calc, I promise. Have a grateful heart and stay positive. Life will throw you so many curveballs, but being surrounded by the right people and having the right mindset is all you need to get through them.
And lastly, because you will love them, here are some quotes you should live by starting right now...
"Don't ruin a good today by thinking about a bad yesterday. Let it go."
"Don't feel stupid if you don't like what everyone else pretends to love."
"Don't compare your life to others, you have no idea what your journey is all about."


xo,
22 year old Courtney

Close Reading: Girl, Interrupted

Dr Crumble: "No. You need to go somewhere where you can get a genuine rest, Susanna. And you're lucky -- because the best place in the world for someone like yourself happens to be a half-hour from here."

Step One:
Susanna's parents asked her dad's friend and colleague to talk to Susanna about her out of control behavior after she landed herself in the hospital.  The former doctor tries to encourage Susanna to open up about why she attempted to commit suicide, but Susanna does not engage in the conversation unless she is questioning the doctor or responding to his questions with a sassy comment.  The doctor says that Susanna needs to go somewhere in order to rest, and Susanna agrees but says she will go home in order to do so. At that moment she has no idea he her family has made prior arrangements for her to be sent to Claymoore.  After the doctor explains she needs to get genuine rest she realizes that home is not where the doctor meant after all.

Step Two:
I think that one pattern that is emerging is Susanna's parents constantly focusing on themselves, even though it is clear Susanna is the one that is suffering.  Her mom was worried about how Susanna was dressed at the party going on in her home and then she questions her further asking where she was since everyone attending the party had already arrived but Susanna had yet to make her way downstairs.  Later in the movie her parents are talking with Susanna and the doctor at Claymoore and her parents ask the doctor if she will be home for Christmas because they have no idea what they will say to everyone during the holidays about Susanna if she is not there.  It all seems to be related in that her parents tend to care more about how their family appears to be, rather than how Susanna actually is.

Step Three:
I think that my observations are supported by the fact that they asked Susanna's dad's friend to talk with Susanna, rather than hiring someone who she may feel a little bit more comfortable talking with about such a personal topic.  Not only is this friend retired, he also is a much older gentleman that Susanna probably is uninterested in talking to, partly because they have nothing in common, besides both knowing her parents, which is probably a negative aspect of this doctor in Susanna's head.  If your daughter was seriously struggling to the point where you think she attempted suicide, don't you think you would want her to talk to someone who is still in the field and who is willing to actually let her talk openly rather than jumping to conclusions?  It seems as if this is just another way for her parents to make sure that this side of Susanna is kept private.

Step Four:
At one point in the film Susanna says that she does not want to end up like her mother, and I think that she means she wants more out of life than living simply for the appearance of "looking good."  By telling Susanna, through a retired doctor, that she needs a genuine rest somewhere other than home is another way for them to "beat around the bush" so to speak by not getting to the core of the problem with Susanna but instead sending her to Claymoore where she almost seems to be getting worse.  Susanna has no control of the situation and she knows that she has to go, but I am not sure that her parents are going to get the outcome that they are hoping for.