ENGL 115W Study Guide - Final Guide: Denim, In Private, Air Guitar
27 Apr 2018
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Symbolism of the Veil in Persepolis
In Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel, Persepolis
, Satrapi illustrates the restrictions posed
on Iranians - especially Iranian women - by the Islamic regime. In particular, she views the veil
as an attempt by not only the regime, but also of men, to increase their power over women. The
veil, which represents the regime’s desire to oppress women, inevitably impacts Satrapi’s actions
and decisions; however, Satrapi’s active use of the veil in her rebellion against the patriarchal
and repressive beliefs of her nation allows her to exhibit a sense of individuality, ultimately
preventing the veil from controlling her.
The veil reflects the male-orientated principles of the regime; Satrapi highlights this view
of the veil throughout Persepolis
through the use of contrasting images, and black and white.
Page 6 displays two sides of Satrapi: an unveiled aspect, representing her family’s progressive
beliefs, and a veiled aspect, representing the values of her religious fundamentalist country. The
images of a ruler and a hammer only appear on the unveiled side of the panel, indicating that a
future with educated women is not one that the Islamic regime accepts. The black background
surrounding those symbols further emphasizes the hindrance of societal advancements in an
oppressive society. In a later scene, Satrapi illustrates a group of women in veils shouting “the
veil” and another group shouting “freedom,” revealing her belief that the obligatory wearing of
veils and the freedom of women cannot exist simultaneously (7). The women wearing the veils
are dressed completely in black and have their eyes closed, showing that they are close-minded
and are blinded to a darkness that is associated with the veil; their black veils also appear to
physically and ultimately, metaphorically weigh the women down by limiting their rights. In
contrast, the unveiled women are wearing white - a colour that is associated with liberty - and
Document Summary
In marjane satrapi"s graphic novel, persepolis , satrapi illustrates the restrictions posed on iranians - especially iranian women - by the islamic regime. In particular, she views the veil as an attempt by not only the regime, but also of men, to increase their power over women. The veil reflects the male-orientated principles of the regime; satrapi highlights this view of the veil throughout persepolis through the use of contrasting images, and black and white. Page 6 displays two sides of satrapi: an unveiled aspect, representing her family"s progressive beliefs, and a veiled aspect, representing the values of her religious fundamentalist country. The images of a ruler and a hammer only appear on the unveiled side of the panel, indicating that a future with educated women is not one that the islamic regime accepts. The black background surrounding those symbols further emphasizes the hindrance of societal advancements in an oppressive society.
