Persepolis vs The Other side of the Wall
Symbolism
Clothing
Clothing identifies all the characters in both graphic novels
The contrast of the people of both East and West Berlin was quite significant. It was easy to identify a person just simply based on what they wore. When Simon and his parents arrived to West Berlin people in the train and the streets gave them dirty looks.
Every female in Iran had to wear a veil because it was one of the first rules implemented during the revolution. Many women protested against this new law. Marjane’s mother dyed her hair and wore dark glasses to hide her identity for her safety.
Themes
In, Persepolis, all bilingual schools were closed because they were a symbol of “capitalism”. In, The Other Side of The Wall, The Repressive Socialist Unity Party of Germany was in power of East Berlin and Simons grandparents on his father’s side was supportive of the Communist Party of Germany and his mother's side supported the Socialist unity party of Germany.
Both Marjane and Simon wanted to seek freedom from the political issues that occurs. It took a long time in order for Simons family to be given access to move to West Berlin in the first place
Both of these graphic novels have the common themes of oppression, discrimination, politics, freedom, and violence.
Simon was born in 1982 and was around 11 when he moved from East to West Berlin whereas Marjane was 6 when the revolution started in 1979. They were both very young and coming of age which shaped them into who they are when they decided to recall these events.
Marjane’s mother had a photo taken of her when she was protested and posted on the cover of a German magazine. She was terrified due to the corruption of the government and what they did to people if they retaliated against them. She dyed her hair and wore dark glasses to hide her identity for her safety. Simon Schwartz had experience discrimination against him and his family because he was coming from East Berlin and it was easy to distinuish who you were with your clothing and demenor.
Both Marjane and Simon wanted freedom and peace for all of their people because even at a young age they were very aware of the political corruption
Characters
Plot
Persepolis takes place during the Iran during the Revolution in 1979. The other side of the Wall takes place during the fall of the Berlin Wall in the 1980s. Both of these stories occur during the same time period, the only difference is the political events occuring
