Complete Persepolis

Satrapi 1
Batoul Satrapi
Dr. Roberts
JNR-203
December 1st, 2015
Mothers Do More Than Just Love Us
The graphic novel, The Complete Persepolis, depicts Marjane Satrapis life during a time
when Iran, as a nation, experiencing religious and political transformation. Marjanes life is a not
only a testament of a young girls growing experiences but also of a young girl who experiences
being in a war torn country seeking to revolutionize itself. Noticeable throughout this account is
the importance of Marjanes relationship with her mother. Their relationship is explained through
Alfred Banduras Social Learning theory which stresses the importance of Observational
Learning. Banduras theory emphasizes that children learn how to behave and respond to others
by observing how their parents interact with each other and with other people which Kendra
Cherry summarizes in the article What is Observational Learning? (Cherry, 1). Marjanes
relationship with her mother through Alfred Banduras theory generally reveals just how much
mothers influence their daughters lives. Thus every aspect of Mrs. Satrapis way of life
motivates her daughters life by mode of observation in which Marjane views as a guide to learn
from. By analyzing the model of motivation that Mrs. Satrapi performs for her daughter, their
relationship will reveal that Mrs. Satrapi is the reason behind Marjanes behavior (actions) and
language in pivotal moments accounted in novel of Marjanes life.
Introduced as a fearless revolutionary woman seeking to fight against Iranian authority,
Mrs. Satrapi, is described by her daughter to be at the center of where everywhere in the streets
there was demonstrating for and against the veil (Complete Persepolis, 4-5). Marjane continues
in her introductory description of her mother by adding that at one of the demonstrations, a photo
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of her mother was taken by a German Journalist. That photo was then published in all the
European Newspapers and even in one magazine in Iran of which resulted in her mother being
afraid due to the Iranian publication (Complete Persepolis, 5). This occasion marks an
inspirational moment for Marjane, who regards this moment as inspiring even in the face its
unconventional approach. By doing so, Mrs. Satrapi motivates Marjanes behavior by
encouraging her fire up controversy by protesting against Iranian authority. Motivation,
according to the Social Learning Theory (Bandura), is a good reason to imitate because it
propels the vicarious [which is] seeing and recalling the reinforced models (1).
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Regardless, Marjane feels
inspired or much rather is
guided into having the desire
to behave much like her
mother. Marjane states on page
ten that she was really proud
of her mothers act of
courage. This marks the
beginning of when Marjane
observes her mothers
interaction with others and
uses those interactions as a
model for her own actions. The
act of protesting becomes the symbolic tool that inspires Marjane to embrace her mothers bold
characteristics in which she regards as worthy of adopting. Modeling [action]: from observing
others [followed by] one [forming] an idea of how new behaviors are performed which serves as
a guide for action (Social Learning Theory, 1). Marjane begins remodeling her mothers actions
in the chapter entitled Bicycle, where she asserts the year of the revolution I had to take
action (Complete Persepolis, 10).
This assertion is a conscious decision motivated by Marjanes desire to be as rebellious as
her mother. Marjanes actions reveals action against the Iranian revolution which symbolizes the
desire to implement rebellious action similarly to her mother concerning the veil protest.
Whether or not Marjane speaks aloud for herself about taking action in the revolution, she is
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essentially echoing her mothers ideals in physical action. Marjanes yearn for a face-to-face
contact to be in a demonstration is illustrated in the images shown on page ten. These images are
significantly related to what these three children believe a demonstration is and how it is
embodied. The images are exemplary to Marjane imitating the model her mother had portrayed
of rebellion by protesting. As a result, those actions guide and shape the actions of Marjane and
her friends shown in this scene. Marjane is proposing her intentions to be in an actual
demonstration much like the one she adored that her mother was a part of concerning the veil.
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After several attempts to convince her parents that she is prepared to be in an actual
demonstration, Marjane fails in every attempt to convince her parents otherwise. Despite
Marjanes frustration of not receiving parental approval, she refuses to back down from her
eagerness to be in a demonstration. In the chapter entitled The Letter, Marjane goes against her
parents wishes and goes to a demonstration to protest against the king with Mehri, the house
maid. By rebelling against her parents, the authority in her life, Marjane is reenacting her
mothers behavior considering Mrs. Satrapi rebelled against Iranian authority. Conclusively, Mrs.
Satrapis authority is on one many factors that influence Observational learning which the article,
What is Observational Learning?, lists as a mode of influence. As Marjane and Mehri relive
their most exciting moments from demonstration as they return home, they soon reminded of
their mistake of ever going to the demonstration to begin with. Worried and angry because of
their gladness as they approach the house, Marjane and Mehri are slapped by Mrs. Satrapi
(Complete Persepolis, 39). Despite their punishment, Marjane is seeming fulfilled that she
accomplished being just like her mother in being able to protest against the king who she ,like
her mother, believes is corrupting Iranian people and Iran as a whole.
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These few yet
valuable moments
regarded in Marjanes
life have been
analyzed to highlight
their influence
towards Marjanes
character which can
be attributed to the
relationship she had
with her mother, Mrs.
Satrapi. This is
supported by Albert Banduras theory of Social Learning which focuses on observation which
motivates children, especially, to imitate their parents due to their constant presence and
authority. Mrs. Satrapi is characterized to be strong willed, passionate, strikingly bold, among
several other complimentary attributions of which we similarly find as a parallel model of
Marjane as well. Consequently, the events described in this analysis open the readers eyes to the
nature of Marjanes character of rebellion which she develops from her mother, Mrs. Satrapi who
embodies rebellion in the novel.
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Complete Persepolis

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