In the graphic memoir Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi reveals her experiences as a young girl growing up under the oppressive regime of the Iranian Revolution. Throughout the novel, she faces moral dilemmas, experiences culture shock, and struggles to adapt to ever-changing societies, forcing her to turn to her family, as many do in times of chaos. The grandmother's influential voice and advice play a pivotal role in shaping Marji to become the woman she becomes. Growing up in such dire circumstances pushes Marji to mature at a pace too rapid for most children and adolescents, but with the thoughtful help of her family, she is able to build a life of peace, contrasting with the violence and the destruction she witnessed while traveling. daily in Iran. In Satrapi's, Persepolis, the grandmother embodies Marji's cultural roots and values ​​through her comforting support, memorable advice, and reminders regarding ancestral pride, demonstrating the important role family plays in shaping identity . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe grandmother represents hope in Marji's life, emphasizing how loved ones provide a reliable support system, while shaping character. Growing up, Marji dreamed of becoming a prophet, because “her grandmother's knees always hurt” (6) and she did not want to see her loved ones suffer. Instead of laughing at this seemingly absurd concept, the grandmother responds, “In that case, I will be your first disciple” (7), thus revealing the security that Marji is lucky to find in her family. Marji can be stubborn at times, but also incredibly selfless as she strives to help those she cares about most, especially her family. She complains that her maid was unable to eat at the table with her and that others did not have the privilege of driving a Cadillac like her father, but her motivation to end her suffering Grandma proves how much she cares. parents. The grandmother is an authority figure with whom Marji feels safe to share ideas, as a child and throughout her adolescence; However, it is also obvious that Marji feels the need to thank her grandmother for everything she has done, and becoming a prophet seems to be her way of doing that. The grandmother remains a constant role model throughout the memoir, while at the same time providing an abundance of warmth and security. Before Marji leaves for Austria, her last moment with her grandmother seems to be one she cherishes and remembers, as she explains: "When she was undressing, you could see the flowers falling from her breasts » (150). Marji almost idolizes her grandmother, seeing through her age the brilliance that lies beneath. As Marji deals with puberty later in the novel, she struggles with femininity, so it would make sense that she would appreciate the steps her grandmother took to feel feminine, from picking "jasmine flowers to put in her bra” (150) to soaking. put them [her breasts] in a bowl of ice water for ten minutes” (150). Family plays a fundamental role in guiding their children through their confusing and difficult teenage years, but with Marji moving away from her parents so young, she is forced to absorb all the advice she can before she leaves. Breasts can be used to symbolize nurturing, growth and transformation, as they are a necessity for nursing babies, but after a certain age they no longer constitutean imperative resource. In an unconventional way, Grandma's Breasts amplifies the way Marji is desperately dependent on her grandmother as a child, but gradually becomes less dependent on her family as she progresses in life. Although the grandmother contributed greatly to the foundation that allowed Marji to grow and develop away from home and ultimately shape her identity. As Marji's journey into adulthood progresses, she transforms, learns, makes mistakes, and faces consequences for them, but her grandmother's thoughtful words still hold her morally responsible for the decisions she makes . The grandmother gives Marji powerful advice before she leaves for Austria, whispering to her: “Always maintain your dignity and be true to yourself (150). This notion obviously strikes a chord with Marji as it follows her throughout her Austrian experiences and brings her back to her Persian roots when she begins to drift away from them. The wisdom exercised that night is mentioned repeatedly as Marji's story progresses, acting as a moral compass. In order to find her place in Austrian society, Marji begins to avoid talking about heritage in order to distance herself from stereotypes; however, when she does this, she feels immense guilt. In Austria, she attends a school party during which a boy asks her where she is from and she introduces herself as French. Marji then realizes that it is much easier to lie about being Iranian than to bear the burden of telling the truth, although later that night she says to herself, "I remembered that phrase that my grandmother told me” (195). In a new community surrounded by new people, Marji keeps her grandmother's words close to heart, revealing the universally experienced impact family can have on growing minds. The grandmother's only advice arouses feelings of guilt in Marji which fortunately prevent her from betraying her origins. Although ignoring one's heritage seems like the simplest solution, it would have inevitably caused feelings of self-reproach without the grandmother's guidance. By the time Marji returns to Iran, she has become her own person, although her family's acceptance remains a major concern, plunging her into confusing situations. When Marji accuses an innocent man of distracting the Revolutionary Guards from her controversial lipstick, she finds the situation comical. But this humorous attitude is suddenly stripped away when she explains it to her grandmother who replies: “It’s the blood of your grandfather and your uncle that runs in your veins!” Shame on you!" (291). This is a turning point in Marji's life, a situation in which she decides to never again feel the guilt of dishonoring her family. She makes respect for her ancestors a top priority in order to 'gaining forgiveness from her grandmother, which is more easily attainable than Marji hoped. The importance of family is represented through the inevitable reconciliation between Marji and her grandmother, as well as the sudden need. of Marji to improve her character after the argument As Marji becomes more independent in her decision-making, her grandmother appears less and less. The guardian angel of the novel begins to fade as Marji becomes older. marries and continues her life When she leaves Iran for good (341), the grandmother only begins to cry in the last panel, while everyone had seen her grandmother as a figure. of strength and wisdom throughout his childhood and this vigor falters for the first time at the end of the novel. Grandma's tears.