Rough Draft

Erika Hernandez

Writing Assignment #1

English 1B

Prophet for Change

     What is the definition of a prophet? If you were to look up the word in the dictionary, you may find the definition described as 'a person who speaks of divine matters or spirituality', but you may also see it referenced to that of a person who speaks of great social ideas or causes. In Marjane Satrapi's book, Persepolis, she illustrates the qualities of a prophet; one with divine inspiration as well as a social political messenger. Persepolis, is a story of a young Marjane Satrapi and her struggles to come to grips with an uprising Nation, and her aspiration to help shape her Iran. In the beginning of her tale, Marjane's hopes and beliefs are that of a holy inspiration, her quest to become a divine prophet; but in the emergence of a political battle in Iran, Marjane soon rises as a prophet of social change. Faced with trying to fit-in with her ideals of becoming the last prophet, and with the hustle changes of a political conflict and tyranny in her country, her prophecy evolves to that of a social and political change. Thus morphing both influences into one.

In the beginning of Marjane's journey, we are introduced to a vibrant young lady who is “born with religion”(6). Her hopes of becoming the last prophet were evident to her at the age of six, she even draws inspiration from Zarathustra, the first prophet from her country. His rules were, as stated in Persepolis, “you must base everything on these three rules: Behave well, Speak well, act well” (7). When looking at these rules, you can help but agree. This rules are rules of morals. With that said, Marjane knew she wanted to be a prophet because the 'maid' did not eat with them, also because the Satrapi family owed a Cadillac, and last but not least, for the suffrage of her grandmother's aching knees. When examining these three reasoning’s for Marjane's desire to pursue a spiritual route, I can not help to notice that these are reasons that call for social change (the exception being grandmas knees). Marjane's maid not being able to eat with the rest of the family exemplifies social inequalities. The maid is someone who has grown up with the family and yet is still segregated. Her family drives in the comforts of a Cadillac, while others who are in need may not have a home as nice as the Satrapi's family car. Stories of children in need are brought to light in Ali Ashraf Darvishian's stories; Marjane's favorite author - who “told sad but true stories”(33). And through Darvishian's stories, Marjane 'understood why she felt ashamed to sit in her father's Cadi' (33), she writes, “the reason for my shame and for the revolution is the same: the difference between social classes”(33).

     As Marjane learns more of the ousting of the Shah and the history of her family, she can not help but to get involve with what is going on with her country. While Iran is in the mists of redefining its self, Marjane too is redefining who she is. As Marjane says, “the year of the revolution I had to take action, so I put my prophetic aside for a while”(10). She trades being a prophet of faith for a prophet of activism. With the influence of her parents political views, Marjane takes up reading about activists, Revolutionaries and Philosophers. A philosopher in-particular, Karl Marx, strikes a cord with Marjane. Marx philosophy is amide toward providing more of an equilibrium on a societal level, and to close the gap between the social classes. Thus providing solution to the issues that Marjane was concerned about, that of the maid-being separate for the Satrapi family during meal times. As well, Marxism eliminates the haves and the have-not; therefore allows for a distribution of money throughout the people. And perhaps with the distribution of wealth, more people can afford cars or to have there children go to school. And with socialism, healthcare would be available for all people. And grandmother Satrapi can get help for her aching knees.

    Marjane wanted to be a prophet. At first her inspiration was of a divine intervention, to be like the first prophet of Iran, Zarathustra. But as her journey continues, she grows and learns, and begins to evolve to what I like to call the modern prophet. Her inspiration was not only of God, but of Karl Marx as well. Marjane's crusade was for justice, equality and socialism. She never put 'prophetic aside,' she just turned the page in her quest, and had her metamorphosis into her opinionated, out spoken, political activist, strong women that she is. With her book, Persepolis, Marjane is a prophet-she is delivering her message of social and political change to the masses.