Untouchable

I have a firm belief that material possessions have not only detracted from our relationships with each other as individuals, but the whole world as one. But instead of going off in a broader direction like the world, I'd like to focus on material possession and its role in Persepolis. One of the key elements in the plot is the war between Iran and Iraq, which, itself is a war over material possession. But in the midst of that war, Marji is challenged to overcome the destruction of her country and the people around her. Many Iranian soldiers die as they invade Iraq with F-14's. Marji's neighbors, the Baba-Levys also die as a result of the war and many of Marji's family friends are ordered to be executed by the Shah. As Araceli and others pointed out, people's personalities are shaped by their experiences growing up, and Marji got one hell of an experience. I think Marjane Satrapi is an admirable human being for her extraordinary understanding of what it means to lose things. She lost a lot of her childhood friends who moved to America, she lost her uncle, and she even lost her family when she was sent to live in Austria. I believe her life is like a kaleidoscope; its pattern constantly changes, but it's image in whole is truly one to behold. Buildings can be blown away at a moment's notice and people can come and go, but her story is untouchable. Not even a film about it can screw it up.