Bria Jourdain                                                                                                   12/17/14

Final Draft                                                                                                      812

Many books have controversial topics like rebellion, harsh images, and violence that allow us to see lesson within. While these themes in the books are very harsh it allows students to learn more about the world. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, have many references towards war and violence. Through out the book, you see Satrapi’s journey during the Iranian revolution and students learn how to use their opinions, allow lessons to change their overall thinking, and can relate to their own lives, and therefore Persepolis shouldn’t be banned in our schools.

Persepolis encourages people to voice their point of views. In the article “Banned Books Awareness: “Persepolis” states, “If we don’t create opinions, we won’t have individualism,” said McDermott.”(2) Although, some parents and adults may see the book has, “…Powerful images of torture in the book,”(1) and this could allow students have premature or various thoughts on topics that they don’t have enough background on. However, most students didn’t think the images were problematic to begin with. Again in “Banned Books Awareness: “Persepolis” an eighteen year old who help with a protest stated, “If [students] can’t voice themselves, then we won’t have a country that’s individualistic.”(2) In addition, this is distinctly taught in the book. Earlier in the book, Satrapi learned that opinions should be heard. She explains to her parents that she wants to go to a protest, although, her parents think it will be an unsafe environment. She stated, “For a revolution to succeed, the entire population must support it.” (10) Opinions are taught to be use to acknowledged the world around us; therefore Persepolis has every right to enforce powerful images.

Persepolis advocates a new way of learning. Students were able to learn about a time where authority was being questioned and what consequences followed. In many cases bombing was almost a daily part of life. One day Satrapi decided to buy clothes, quickly after this event, her neighborhood was bombed. She rushed home to find it was safe, however, her neighbor’s home wasn’t. She stated, “No scream in the world could have relieved my suffering and anger.”(142) Greif-stricken by this event, she is worried what will come next. This includes an intimate view, which allows students to learn to value life like Satrapi did. On the other hand, in the article “Banning Persepolis” teachers and parents argue that these images can, “Insult the intelligence of its students.”(2) Yet, students of Chicago schools are able to go to a Holocaust museum, which has alarming, and starling images, that students are still able to learn lessons.

There are countless scenes in the text that many can relate to. In the book Satrapi has to leave her home because her parents want her to have exceeding opportunities. Before she left she spoke to the people that meant the most to her. She stated, “I never realized how much they loved me. And I understood how important they were too me.”(149) Satrapi realized the sacrifices she made, which many students faced or will face in the coming years. Students should be able to read the text because like Satrapi, students are able to see the good and some of the bad in life. Although, people believe that teachers need special ‘training’ to teach students these about themes, because some students might be sensitive to topics that are introduced in the book. Yet, many parents who have read the book haven’t had any complaints based on the subjects presented. Thousands of teachers and students have the book and it has been approved in many schools.

Persepolis is an intelligent book that allows students to form opinions and learn about new topics. It has a great impact on students, which presented a new view on topics such as violence. Up to now, many people agreed that this memoir should be banned because of its powerful messages. Furthermore, students shouldn’t be exposed to these topics. Some adults believe that students won’t be able to process strong material and they won’t be mature enough. Yet, many have stated without the unyielding images there wouldn’t be individualism, opinions, or new ways of learning. Persepolis shouldn’t be banned in our schools because it helped discover a new world in reading.

        Works cited

"Banned Books Awareness: Persepolis." Banned Books Awareness. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

"Banning Persepolis?" Socialistworker.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.

Marjane Satrapi “Persepolis: A Story of a Childhood” Marjane Satrapi Jun. 1. 2004

Access Nov. 27. 2014