Persepolis Arugumentive Essay

Aliyeah Navarro

11/9/13

Block2

           Persepolis is about the author, Marjane Satrapi. The genre of the book is non-fiction, because Marjane talks about her life in Iran. Johan Bennett is trying to ban Persepolis from all the school libraries in the Santa Maria Joint Union School District. Johan Bennett believes this book is, "A poor choice of novel for students," and is also, "Inappropriate."
           Throughout the book Persepolis, Marjane talks about what life was like for her growing up in Iran. She talks about the wars and the revolutions that she experienced in Iran. She discusses the pain and suffering her people went through and the pain and suffering she went through as well. Johan Bennett thinks the graphic novel, Persepolis, is only about Marjane being rebellious, getting kicked out of school, and being a drug dealer. Johan Bennett also thinks its closer to a comic book than it is to a novel. Johan Bennett talks about how she thinks the attempt of suicide was too much for a high school book.
           I honestly disagree with Johan Bennett's opinion on the book, Persepolis. Throughout the book Marjane is always learning valuable lessons that later on help her in life. It's like when Marjane wanted to hurt that boy Ramin because his dad killed a million people. Her mother told her that it wasn't Ramin's fault his dad did that, and she just had to learn to forgive. Marjane also defends herself a lot of times in the book. For instance, the time when the nun said that all Iranians didn't have manners and Marjane stood up for her people. Another time would be when she stood up to those people on the café who were talking about her. She is showing people to be proud of whom you are, and to always defend yourself in life.
             This book also shows how to be strong and to learn from your mistakes. When Marjane was going through depression and trying to committee suicide she realized something when she didn't die. From that experience she realized she wasn't meant to die and that it was time to start a new life. She stated in the book,  "I inferred from this that I was not made to die. From now on I'm taking myself in hand." From this book I realize to not take your life for granted. Marjane grew up with hardly any rights and also grew up experiencing a lot of death.  Sure she was in a higher social class than others, but she still experienced all the war, revolts, and punishments like everyone else
            Persepolis is about the author, Marjane Satrapi's life in Iran. She talks about the hard times and the happy times of her life in Iran. This book is about life lessons, standing up for yourself, learning from your mistakes, and not taking life for granted. I believe Persepolis should be read by everyone, from teenagers to adults. There is more to this book than just the eye sees. Everyone should read and understand why this book is amazing.