Marjane's Adventures

Journey:
1. Veil Requirement 

  "You showed your opposition to the regime by letting a few strands of hair show"(75)

When facing oppression, the only form of freedom was something insignificant in the grand scheme of life. 

   The first box on page 75 symbolizes the inevitable unhappiness and change all women had to experience.  In the picture, both women are visibly unhappy.  On the left is a woman representing the fundamentalist woman, in full dress, with only her scared eyes and frown visible.  The woman on the right side is representing the modern woman, is equally as unhappy, except not as extremely dressed.  Her hair is covered and she is dressed very modest, with only her hands and face visible.  Basically, the difference between these two women, between being labeled fundamentalist or modernist, is the visibility of the hands.  The extremity of the dress restrictions and requirements vanquished the freedom women had.   

            The captions highlight how important dressing was in terms of labeling.  A few barely exposed body parts meant a difference of treatment and respect basically.  The importance of a woman’s opinion and personal beliefs were lost.  One of the captions in the picture reads “you showed your opposition to the regime by letting a few strands of hair show.”  The fact that women’s methods of resistance were reduced to such a little thing explains the unhappiness of some previously strong women.  Women were forced to change physical appearances out of oppression, and their opinions became useless.  The difference between fundamentalist and modern became nothing but a difference of mild courage and self-respect.

            The caption and picture together show the governing religious leaders negative effect on women.  They were unhappy and covered and not free to be themselves.  For the women that believed in the regime the dressing was fine, but for the scared women who didn’t, they suffered endlessly.  They had to change everything with just little shows of resistance.  This picture highlights the popular attitude of changing or punishing the victim instead of the perpetrator. 

2. Resentment of God

After Marjane's uncle was executed she lost faith in God, who she had a close relationship to, because he did nothing to save him.

3. Lying to authority figures by herself

When the fundamentalist women were taking Marjane to the authorities, she was quick on her feet and made excuses for her dress code on her own, beginning to master the art of deception.
                               
4. Moving Away from home, to Austria

Since Marjane spoke her mind, it was a danger for her to live in oppressed Iran, so moving away from her family and home was the safest option for her.

5. Befriending Momo and gang

Becoming friends with such an eccentric, opinionated and "punk" bunch is what made marjane read up on philosophers, because that was a way to fit in with them and take part in conversation.

6.  Getting kicked out by Nuns 

Yet again Marjane standing up for herself and disrespecting authority causes her to start over yet again.

7.  Living with Julie 

Being with Julie is how Marjane first got exposed to sex and western culture.

8. Experience with drugs

After emotional disappointment, Marjane's loneliness led her to make choices she was ashamed of, but became accustomed to doing, like "tripping" and drug dealing. 

9.  Homelessness and hospital stay

After yet another romantic failure, Marjane found herself on the streets for a month, and eventually the hospital, lonely and depressed as ever after putting all her hope into a boy.   

10.  Return to Iran 

When Marjane came back to Iran, even though she had her family, she didn't find "home" right away, rendering her lonely as ever, causing her to try to commit suicide.

11.   Recreation of self

Deciding to get her life back on track, Marjane completely changed her look and attitude and rejoined society

12. Relationship to Reza

Even though Marjane and Reza had a tumultuous marriage, their relationship inspired Marjane to put emphasis on her education and life, as well as develop her as the woman she is now.