In her memoir Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi reveals her experiences as a young girl growing up under the oppressive regime of the Iranian Revolution. Throughout the novel, she faces moral dilemmas, suffers culture shock, and struggles to adapt to ever-changing societies, forcing her to turn to her family, as many do in times of chaos. Her grandmother's influential voice and guidance play a vital role in shaping Marji into the woman she will become. Growing up in such dire circumstances forces Marji to mature at a pace too rapid for most children and adolescents, but with the thoughtful help of her family, she is able to build a life of peace, counteracting the violence and destruction that she witnessed it daily in Iran. In Satrapi's Persepolis, the grandmother embodies Marji's cultural roots and values ​​through her comforting support, memorable advice, and reminders of ancestral pride, demonstrating the significant role family plays in shaping identity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Grandma represents hope in Marji's life, emphasizing how relatives provide a reliable support system while also shaping character. Growing up, Marji dreams of becoming a prophetess, because "grandmother's knees always hurt" (6) and she didn't want to see her loved ones suffer. Instead of laughing at the seemingly absurd concept, the grandmother responds, “In that case, I will be your first disciple” (7), revealing the security that Marji is fortunate to find in her family. Marji can be stubborn at times, but also incredibly selfless as she strives to help those she cares about most, especially her family. She laments how her maid couldn't eat at the table with her and how others didn't have the privilege of driving a Cadillac like her father, but her motivation to end her grandmother's suffering shows how much she cares about she. family members. Her grandmother is an authority figure with whom Marji feels safe sharing ideas, as a child and throughout her adolescence; However, it is also evident that Marji feels the need to repay her grandmother for everything she has done, and becoming a prophet seems to be her way of doing so. The grandmother remains a constant role model throughout the memoir, while providing an abundance of warmth and security. Before Marji leaves for Austria, her last moment with her grandmother seems to be one she cherishes and remembers, as she explains how: "When she undressed, you could see the flowers falling from her breasts" (150). Marji almost idolizes her grandmother, seeing through her age to the brilliance that lies beneath. As Marji faces puberty later in the novel, she struggles with femininity, so it would make sense that she would appreciate the steps her grandmother takes to feel feminine, from picking "jasmine flowers to put in her bra" (150) to soaking "putting them [her breasts] in a bowl of ice water for ten minutes” (150). Family plays a vital role in guiding children through the confusing and embarrassing adolescence, but because Marji distances herself from her parents at such a young age, she is forced to gather as much advice as possible before leaving. Breasts can be used to symbolize nourishment, growth and transformation, as they are a necessity for breastfeeding children, but after a certain age they are no longer an indispensable resource. Unconventionally, Grandma's breasts amplify the way Marji desperately relies on her grandmother as a child, but slowly becomes less dependent on family as she advances in life. Although thegrandmother contributed greatly to the foundation that allowed Marji to grow and develop away from home and ultimately shape her identity. As Marji's journey to adulthood progresses, she transforms, learns, makes mistakes, and faces consequences for them, but her grandmother's caring words consistently hold her morally responsible for the decisions she makes. Grandma gives Marji powerful advice before leaving for Austria, whispering, “Always maintain your dignity and be true to yourself (150). This idea obviously strikes a chord with Marji as it follows her through her Austrian experiences and brings her back to her Persian roots as she begins to move away from them. The wisdom exercised that night is referenced many times as Marji's story progresses, serving as a moral compass. To find her place in Austrian society, Marji begins to avoid talking about heritage to distance herself from stereotypes; however, when he does so, he feels immense guilt. In Austria she attends a school party where a boy asks her where she is from and she introduces herself as French. Marji then realizes that it is much easier to lie about being Iranian than to bear the burden of telling the truth, although later that night she thinks to herself, "I remembered that phrase my grandmother told me" ( 195). In a new community surrounded by new people, Marji takes her grandmother's words to heart, exposing the universally experienced impact family can have on growing minds. Her grandmother's only advice arouses feelings of guilt in Marji which fortunately prevent her from betraying her past. While ignoring her heritage seems like the simplest solution, it would definitely have caused inevitable feelings of reproach if it weren't for her grandmother's guidance. When Marji returns to Iran, however, she has become herself. her family's acceptance remains a primary concern, throwing her into confusing situations. When Marji frames an innocent man to distract the Revolutionary Guards from her controversial lipstick, she finds the situation comical. However, this humorous attitude is abruptly exposed when he explains it to his grandmother who replies: “It is the blood of your grandfather and your uncle that flows in your veins! Shame on you!" (291). This is a turning point in Marji's life, a situation in which she decides that she will never again want to feel guilty for dishonoring her family. She makes respect for her ancestors a top priority to achieve her grandmother's forgiveness, which is more easily attainable than Marji expected. The meaning of family is depicted through the inevitable reconciliation between Marji and her grandmother, along with Marji's sudden need to improve her character after the argument. As Marji becomes more independent in making decisions, her grandmother appears less and less. The guardian angel of the novel begins to fade as Marji marries and continues her life. During her final departure from Iran (341), the grandmother does not begin to cry until the last panel, when everyone else is smiling. Marji had seen her grandmother as a figure of strength and wisdom during her childhood, and this vigor falters for the first time with the novel's conclusion. The grandmother's tears reveal that Marji no longer needs the stabilizing factor of her family as before, because she is now an independent woman with a future of her own. Marji then reflects on her grandmother and the vital role she played, saying: "I only saw her again once, during the Iranian New Year in March 1995. She died on January 4, 1996... freedom had a price" (341). To be free, Marji had to leave her family, preventing her from saying goodbye to her grandmother, but Marji does not seem to express strong pain, because now.