Why Satropi omitted important explanation and controlled her tone

Satrapi, graphic novelist of “Persepolis”, said in introduction “entire nation should not be judged by the wrongdoings of a few extremists” If we read the novel further, we come to think that we should try to listen to individual’s life. Even though people live in a dangerous nation and even it is called enemy to some countries, they feel same emotion and have a right to keep their happiness same as other people. Satrapi achieves her intention by using several ways which are not usual when describing cruel violence and sorrowful results in other medium.

If we see 24p, Satrapi’s mother and grandmother visit Grandpa who was once prince in Iran and poisoned in the end. If we were in this picture, we must expect our grandmother to cry and had extreme depression and frustration. However, in this picture, she is not that sad, but O.K saying “stop it, he is tired.” Absolutely he is tired and more than tired. Why did author draw like this, even though this must be unacceptable sad situation? Didn’t she really feel sorrow? Here is my guess. Author controlled not to make it exaggerated. In this way, she could provide what was the result simply and make readers ask what if I were a grandmother? Without splendid adjective, the author wanted to ask readers.

Another interesting scene is found in 18p. The picture here depicts demonstration against government. As any conflict in a country, it is composed of two groups: Army and citizens. But Satrapi just shows that picture and that’s all. No additional comments are suggested. No background explanation. However, if readers whom ever heard or seen that kind of problem, naturally provoked to ask question. Did they shoot their parents and friends? What if one member of army is their son or son’s friends? Possibilities are omitted. In this novel, readers feel important explanations are omitted too many times.

She starkly offer true results and doesn’t make tedious evaluation or explanation. But she brings out the cruel personal events on the table and evaluation is up to us. She spends most times for explaining individual’s happiness and sadness than history. Main characters smile or worry all the time. She shares happiness even with maid in 37p. This early experience is not just telling her sympathetic emotion to social barrier but human’s fundamental emotion is more important no matter what makes the rule. It could be nation, ideology conflict or social standing.

Her tone is controlled and sometimes omitted. It intended for readers to be a young girl who lives in a country which change day in day out hugely with conflicts, massacre and blood. By this Satrapi efficiently sent her message. That is most important thing on earth is not ideology, and its side effect, but human’s right to feel happiness. And also they must not be misjudged.