The title of the second half of Persepolis is The Story of a Return. This means both a mental and physical journey for Marji as she still tries to understand and comprehend who she is and what she believes in. The return that I want to discuss in this blog entry is the chapter titled “The Return” where after four years of living abroad, Marji returns to her home country of Iran (pg. 92). I think we see Marji grow even more in this particular chapter because she is now looking at her origins through more realistic lenses. Before, in earlier sections, she has a whimsical and innocent view of the politics and current affairs of Iran. Starting the chapter off she says she immediatelythat she senses the “repressive air of her country”.   Marji is no longer the outspoken little girl that dreams she is a prophet. When she finally arrives home she is more reserved and quieter in her approach towards her parents as well as speaking about current topics in Iran. Even the picture panels have changed. The artwork seems to be more dark and somber (more use of black to cover the whole panel). Instead of bold heroes working to bring peace and justice to their country, the buildings/city is desolate, skulls add a feeling of dread and the constant look of shock/horror on Marji’s face prove her country is no longer the same. With all of these changes and additions to the setting, Satrapi makes it evident that Marji is growing up and viewing the world in a different light. On pages 95 and 96 Marji’s character looks very small and appears at the bottom of the panel. This shows that the problems of her country are looming over her and intimidating her. These could also be viewed as the problems of Iran are bigger than Marji can really comprehend. Even the large panel at the bottom of pg. 95 shows how the old country and old ways of thought (in the form of the traditionally dressed woman) hover over her. Through the chapter, Marji and her parents have discussions about the war and oppressive times that they have been suffering in this country while Marji jas been away in Vienna. Even she acknowledges that the country’s problems are bigger than her’s when she says “Next to my father’s distressing report, my Viennese misadventures seemed like little anecdotes of no importance.” She has grown much throughout the book but does a large part of it in her return home to her roots.