Human beings tend to have volatile conduct when withstanding their living conditions. According to psychology there is a phenomenon that occurs when external factors influence the circumstances; this is called group influence, and it is explained when the majority of people in a group have direct consequences on the behaviors of other participants within the group. After reading Satrapi’s graphic novel one can develop a clear sociological and anthropological analysis regarding how this psychological phenomenon develops in oppressed groups such as the ones Marjane belongs to: Iranians and women. Throughout the book, influence groups can be targeted and analyzed in order to build up a conclusion on how they influence or maybe affect Marjane’s living conditions. After reading this literary artwork, it is possible to establish close relationships between, what I consider, the three crucial impetus for Sartrapi’s development both in her childhood and adulthood. The latter makes reference to: Western culture, familiar and historical background, and faith. 

 

Making reference to ideas from Carl Jung, human beings are full of dualisms, and this is what makes us so interesting as several spectrums of the self can be studied. This dualism is seen in how Marjane enjoys western culture while, for example, she wanted to become a prophet just like the ones found in her religion. It is not possible to process that a girl who listens to Pink Floyd has not been influenced by this type of music which, as it has been studied in other essays, has as a main goal to share revolutionary thoughts in a society that has as a target the massification of individuals. In influence, there is duality: a girl who wears Nikes and pants when others use veils. A girl who sings and enjoys rock music while the others sing nationalist anthems. More than the west itself, Marjane was highly influenced by its art: music is art, fashion is art; and repression can be fought with such subtle acts. Furthermore, when living in Vienna, the west became part of her own way of debating against Iranian dogmas, as this moral freedom just enhanced her beliefs of her own liberty. Marjane saw in this dualist easter/western culture the construction of what Murray Stein names (using Jung's ideas) as her own Map of the Soul. This influence can be seen in her own words “To iranians to be considered a western, and to westerns to be considered an iranian”. With just this phrase one can comprehend the influence western culture has had on her, even though she tries to deny it. 

 

Expanding this thesis, according to Sartre, one makes oneself with what the world has given to you; using this philosophical theory in which one is not born with essence but one builts it up, Marjane’s familiar and cultural backgrounds can be understood as fundamental influences. Her revolutionary thoughts arrived not only because she saw her parents supporting the demonstrations, but also because she understood that within her blood runs the blood of rebels; this referring to her grandfather and uncle Anoosh. The Satrapies were portrayed as progressive; they let their daughter read about the conflict and taught her how to be critical from a young age; they let her study, and even stood by her when Marjane started a fight against the system. In contrast to other families, throughout the book, no ideological pressure is placed on Marjane, but there is, in fact, a “harsh” repertory of phrases like the following: “Keep your dignity and be true to yourself” which are crucial for understanding that Marjane was able to built her Self*, not based only on what the dogmas and the doctrines that surrounded her said, but mainly on what she was able to acquire from those she considered relevant in her moral code. Within this understanding, it is important to highlight her own perception of God and faith. Marjane understood religion as a mechanism that allowed her thoughts and desires run free; it was her own internalization mechanism; that’s why she seeked for God during her childhood when she needed guidance. If she had understood religion in a fundamentalist manner, all of the bases of her personality mentioned in the latter ideas would  crumble down. 

 

When reading the novel, one can wrongly infer that the main influence for Marajane comes from the conflict, the martyrs, the politicians, and the orthodox doctrines perpetuated by the fundamentalist; nonetheless, if one is able to fully comprehend the character, it is feasible to understand how indoctrination ultimately achieves the counterpart of their goals in intellectually liberated individuals such as Marjane and her family. 

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​*(alluding once more to Jung) which is the part of the soul in which the Shadow, the Animus and the Persona come together; all of these being the different spectrums one is built of. In summary and very simplified: Persona are the masks we built up, The Shadow is understood as the darker side of our personality, The Animus/Anima as our counterpart, and The Ego is the conscious mind.