The Complete Persepolis, an autobiographical novel by Marjane Satrapi, tells the story of Marjane's childhood in Iran. In this story, Marjane (Marji) is raised by communist parents. Evidence of this Marxist upbringing is shown several times in the book, especially when Marji exclaims that “it was funny to see how much Marx and God looked alike” (Satrapi 13). Audiences can analyze Persepolis through a Marxist lens to see how particular ideas, particularly the ideology of consumerism, oppress Marjane, her family, and Iranian civilians in general. The fundamental principle underlying Marxism is that the acquisition of wealth and possessions is what motivates all political and social activity. The public can see how the Iranian regime uses this ideology to subjugate the Iranian proletariat and how the lower classes turn to religion for relief. By specifically analyzing Marjane's family, the reader can realize that the Satrapi family is guided and oppressed by this system of obtaining and maintaining economic power. This analysis of the Satraps also sheds light on the rest of Iran and how this consumerist lifestyle and reliance on religion harms the country's citizens. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The idea behind Marxism is that consumerism makes people feel as if their self-worth matches what they purchase (Furnham). This philosophy serves two purposes: it creates an artificial sense of empowerment for citizens and at the same time helps to quell feelings of rebellion. To see how Marjane and her family are affected by consumerism, it is necessary to take into account the family's status in Iran's social hierarchy. Although Satrapi never openly states her family's economic situation, the audience can easily conclude that her family is financially comfortable. Even in light of a raging war and a tyrannical government, Marjane's parents still have the money to buy her expensive items from America and even send her to Austria so she can receive the benefits of a Western education. However, not everyone in Iran appreciates this comfortable state. The reader is often exposed to the struggles of the lower classes, as when destitute children in Iran are persuaded by the regime to join the war, while upper-class children who are the same age can participate in the parties and do not have to worry about such issues (Satrapi 99-102). Even at a young age, Marjane realizes that she belongs to a class that is much better off than those around her. She feels guilty about even basic things around her, such as the fact that “our waitress didn't eat with us” and “my father had a Cadillac” (Satrapi 6). As for these manipulated children, the regime uses consumerism to exploit them, promising material goods in paradise in exchange for their lives sacrificed in war. Because of this consumerist attitude, these kids are ready to sacrifice their lives for the oppressive government, ruining their future and destroying their families. Analyzing the relationship between different social classes in Iran and Marxism is crucial to understanding how consumerism influences Marjane and her family. Her family's upper-class status means that Marjane and her parents are more likely to adhere to the ideals of Karl Marx because, as Marjane's uncle solemnly acknowledges, “In a country where half the population is illiterate it is not possible to unite people around Marx. The only thing that can truly unite them is…a religious ethic” (Satrapi 62). That is, the citizens most affectedfrom oppression (the lower class) do not have the education and skills necessary to fully appreciate and understand Marxist theory, which focuses on the problems of oppressive ideologies and class struggles. Instead, as Anoosh notes, they often turn to religion for comfort, with pleasant thoughts of the afterlife offering relief from current problems. This theme of dependence on religion can be traced back thousands of years to ancient Athens. Socrates faced much criticism for his belief that people should question everything and should not rely on religion to explain everything. He believed that people should be curious about the natural world around them and use this curiosity to further advances in science, philosophy, and more, instead of attributing everything to the will of the gods. Likewise, Uncle Anoosh plays a role similar to that of Socrates, lamenting the inability of the Iranian lower classes to fully understand the problems that cause their oppression and how to alleviate it. Instead, people tend to turn to religion for guidance and support during times of difficulty, which is not bad in itself, but does little to resolve the systematic oppression they face. Naomi Mandel, a marketing professor at ASU, supports this discussion on the relationship between consumerism, religion and class. Studying the effect of religion on consumerism, Mandel found that “religion helps people face fears such as death or other life challenges – rather than resorting to compensatory consumption or spending to deal with them” (Vorshipping at the Altar of Consumerism) . In other words, Iranian upper-class liberals, such as the Satraps, who adhere to Marxist ideology may be less oppressed by religious doctrine, but the family is more susceptible to suffering from oppression by the principles of consumerism. Naturally, this ironic relationship leads to the hypocrisy that Marjane begins to recognize within her own family. The best example of this occurs when Marjane recalls the time their maid fell in love with the neighbor's son. The two exchanged love letters until Marjane's father ruined the relationship by informing the boy of her social status. Marjane's father explains to her that “in this country you have to stay within your social class” (Satrapi 37). Although Marjane's father believes in Marxism, he apparently does not adhere to the ideals rigorously enough to attempt to change the oppressed status of the lower classes around him. Even though his parents support liberal values, they still face discrimination based on their social status and live extravagant lives while the proletariat suffers. Here, the book's graphics are particularly helpful in conveying this message by accentuating the emotional pain suffered by the maid and the obvious indifference of her father and neighbor (once they discover that his mistress was of a lower class). it also harms upper class families like the Satraps, in the sense that their desire for and acquisition of possessions helps to quell their need for rebellion. By purchasing Western goods such as T-shirts, posters, music and more, many Iranians may fall prey to complacency, as they use these items as a way to escape their current condition. In the same way that lower class citizens use religion as a means of freedom from their oppression, the upper class may begin to satiate their need for rebellion and liberation through small rebellious acts like throwing a party, which do nothing to improve the current situation. political climate and risk their lives. Keep in mind:/.