After Nathelie’s presentation, we spent the remainder of the class discussing some of the literary elements taking place in “Percepolis.” As a class we analyzed the importance of role reversals and the significance of the veil in the novel.
In a country where even history changes depending on who comes into power, the manipulation of history and role reversals is prevalent. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with the “truth.” When the teacher contradicts what was previously taught, Marji questions her and is reprimanded. Marji herself encounters personal role reversals in her character. In the middle of a shopping trip in which Marji exudes a great sense of confidence, a bomb explodes toward the end of her street. Frightened for her loved ones, she rapidly sheds the persona of a confident adult and seeks comfort from her mother.
The veil is often used as a metaphor to convey that she must often hide her true identity to stay safe from figures of authority. When she is stopped by one of the scary “preservers of religion” ladies after purchasing the tapes, one of the first things the lady remarks is that Marji is wearing her veil incorrectly. She goes on to impugn Marji’s Nikes, denim jacket, and Michael Jackson pin. Marji, who is usually quick on her feet when she finds herself in trouble, spins a tall tale about a dead mother and an abusive stepmother, successfully wheedling her way out of a dangerous situation – the veil representing the lie behind which Marji must hide. Another example of the veil representing a lie is when her mother confronts her about skipping school (pg 113) and Marji, the veil covering her face, lies to her mother about having gone to class.