Spoiled Rotten?

Response to Bryan's "What qualities and styles stood out to you and why?" Satrapi used the contrast of light/dark to illustrate emotions and what is shunned or praised. When the characters are feeling sad, anger, loneliness or shame, they were often depicted in shadows to show their internal emotions. Marji's uncle, Anoosh is depicted with the sun's rays of light in the background giving off an atmosphere of importance and heroism, which Marji did hold him as one.

I have always been told to appreciate all the things I am able to have in life: family, friends, education, a home, peace and even vegetables... XP My dad always stresses the importance of keeping materials (money, electronics, huge empty mansions etc.) away from the mind as much as possible because in the end all they do not matter or have no true value. "Having the biggest mansion or the smallest apartment does not matter if flames can easily take it away. Why should the poor man complain about empty pockets and the rich man brag and hunger for more wealth if it can all be easily taken away. The rich man is left with empty pockets and the poor man is left where he was to begin with. No point in complaining or overfeeding one's materialistic desires if what you overflow in material is never lasting", my dad states this many times that I can recite it from memory with no hesitation. But as much as I get bored of hearing this sermon, I can't deny the truth it holds. After reading Marjane Satrapi's memoir of her childhood during the revolution and war in Iran, my dad's words came back to me. I was reminded how lucky I am to be growing up away from the violence, destruction and fear of war. One's experiences in life shapes the person whom we grow up to become. What experience do you think has made you the person you are today? Has this memoir made you realize or remind you about appreciation in any way?