Uncle Anonah In Persepolis

Grandparents often tell their grandchildren stories about what happened during their childhood. These stories could make the children make a connection about an event that happened already throughout their life or it could be completely irrelevant to them. Often the children who make connections about the stories that they were told find meaning in it that can potentially change their lives. Similarly, in Persepolis, written by Marjane Satrapi, Marji finds meaning in the stories that were told to her throughout the entire graphic novel. Uncle Annosh’s story, as well as her grandfather’s story, told by her grandma were stories that Marji found meaning in that changed the way she viewed life and her beliefs. Uncle Annosh is considered to be
a significant character to Marji. When Marji first encountered him, they immediately formed a bond between one another. He told his story from the very beginning, starting with Uncle Fereydoon and his father sent him away all by himself. This was because his beliefs were not respected by them. Annosh then became Fereydoon’s secretary when he helped proclaim Azerbaijan’s independence and became the Minister of Justice. One day, Uncle Fereydoon got arrested, causing Uncle Annosh to run back to his parents. He got married and had to kids with his wife, that he claimed made his life worse, causing them to divorce each other. Eventually, he got tortured and put in prison for nine years for being caught as a Russian spy. However, the turning point for Marji wasn’t his story; it was the fact that she found out that he was dead by her father. Finding out that the Uncle whom she bonded with was dead made Marji feel very lost to the point where she had nothing more to hold onto. Specifically, Marji’s faith had changed forever, since his passing, where she yells to God to get out of her life and to never encounter or talk to her again. Uncle Annosh will always be considered a hero, as well as a turning point for Marji. In addition, the story of Marji’s grandfather adds meaning to her life.
It started when the Reza Shah overthrew his father, electing her grandfather to become Prime Minister. He needed someone who was very intelligent and well educated. Having the title of Prime Minister made him want to become a communist, since he didn’t know a lot of the issues of the major social classes. He believed that everyone should be treated with equality to a certain extent and wanted each social class to have an eventful future; one that is not considered bleak. Later, Marji’s grandfather was put in imprisonment merely because of his political beliefs. The fact that his was communist landed him up in prison. Some days, he would be in a cell of water for hours. Because Marji’s grandfather was put in a water cell, she wanted to use her imagination to further create meaning. So, she put herself in a bathtub full of water, resembling the water cell that he was put into. She stayed in the water until her hands became shriveled up. Marji did not like the feeling of it. Eventually, her grandfather died of disease, but he will always be a symbol in her heart forever and ever. Marji stepping into her grandfather’s shoes allowed her to view the revolution from a different perspective for the rest of the novel; the revolution is one that requires hardship, as well as one that is challenging to live
through. Throughout the entire graphic novel, Marji was presented with stories that involved some of her family members. Two of the most meaningful stories to her was the story of Uncle Anoosh and the one of her grandfather. From hearing the story of Uncle Annosh, her religious beliefs changed drastically. She no longer wanted God to step into her life. While, the story of Marji’s grandfather made her realize all of the hardships that going through the revolution entitled and what it felt to live in a cell of water for several hours, when in prison. Stories told by people’s older loved ones may or not change how they view certain scenarios that have or will encounter throughout their lifetime.