The Life and Work of Marjane Satrapi

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Marjane Satrapi, author of the graphic novel Persepolis, was born in Rasht, Iran in 1969.  She wrote this memoir about her life before, during, and after the 1979 revolution.  Growing up as a rebellious teenage girl during the totalitarian regime that was put in place was dangerous, but with the support from her progressive parents, Satrapi was able to leave for Vienna at the age of 14.  Escaping the patriarchal culture of Iran in which she grew up in, she now lives in France and is able to pursue her career as an author, illustrator, and director.  Constantly faced with labels, as a young adult she didn't feel that she belonged anywhere.  In Iran she was viewed as a westerner, but in western Europe, she was viewed as an outsider as well.

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She is very much an artist, and has the same rebellious attitude she possessed as a young girl.  What some people may find surprising about her is the fact that although she grew up in a society in which women were routinely oppressed, she does not identify as a feminist.  That being said, she believes that all human beings are equal and should be judged on their beliefs and actions instead of their gender, race, or other labels.  Similarly, she is not against any religion; she opposes fundamentalism.  "It is the use of an ideology to kill people that I am against."  With all of the adversity Satrapi has faced, she has been able to see that generalizations are not helpful, and there are forces of good and bad in everyone.