Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return

In her memoir, Marjane Satrapi explores what happens when a teenager in their formative years is transplanted to a culture in stark cultural opposition to one’s native environment. She portrays her attempt to find her identity as an Iranian in exile in Austria. However, Persepolis 2 traces Marjane’s inability to be whole in Iran or in Austria. In her native Iran she is rebellious, wild, and bold, which leaves her isolated but with a clear vision of herself as a counterculture rebel. In Austria she finds herself prudish, traditionalist, and conservative compared to her peers, and they label her as such despite her best efforts to appear rebellious. She is never quite at home, considering herself, instead, outside of both cultures, accepted by neither. Satrapi hence suggests that the experience of immigration, particularly in the context of dichotomous ideologies, renders people stuck with major obstacles to forming their identity.

Young Marjane struggles alone to understand Austrian culture and find her place in contrast to it. In Austria, she is shocked at the sexual promiscuity of Julie, her friend and roommate. She tries to assimilate into Austrian society through several misguided attempts to mimic or emulate peers.