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“‘For a revolution to succeed, the entire population must support it.’
‘You can participate later on.’
‘Sure, sure! When it’s all over. Mom, please.’
‘Oh no! Come on, you’re going to bed now.’”
This quotation occurs in Chapter 2, The Bicycle, after Marji overhears her parents talking about the Rex Cinema fire and the upcoming protests. Marji wants to participate in the protests with her parents, but her father knows it’s too dangerous. Marji is only around eight years old, so there’s nothing unusual about her parents refusing to let her participate in a dangerous protest, but this quotation does raise the issue of moral compromise in the face of danger. If physical safety were not an issue, Marji’s parents would almost certainly let her join them. Marji’s parents believe in the value of the protests, and their purpose aligns with the Satrapis’ sense of justice. They want to instill this sense of justice in their daughter, and having her participate in a civic action like this, absent physical danger, would be a good thing. Of course, the protests are dangerous, so they refuse. Though the stakes are not yet as high as they will later become, this incident hints at one of the book’s recurring themes that sometimes moral compromise is necessary for survival.
“‘Every man for himself!’”
This quotation from Ebi, which occurs in Chapter 10, The Trip, while the family is at a demonstration to protest the veil, marks an important turning point in the book. The previous protests against the Shah were dangerous. The Shah’s thugs beat and even murdered protestors. But the people of Iran were so overwhelmingly unified in their rejection of the Shah that it was only a matter of time before the demonstrations were successful. This time around, it is very different. The people of Iran are now bitterly divided, and the Satrapis are unprepared for the brutality and viciousness of the new regime’s supporters. Marji sees violence like she has never seen before. Ebi’s scream of “Every man for himself!” is juxtaposed with an image of a woman being stabbed in the leg by a Guardian. It is meant to signal to his family not to worry about others but rather to take care of themselves so they can escape the carnage unharmed. But his words can also be taken as a broader lesson: The division in Iranian society is so profound that the values of peaceful debate and harmonious coexistent are not possible here. Survival is more important.
“‘It was the principal of Marji’s school. Apparently she told off the religion teacher. She gets that from her uncle.’
‘Maybe you’d like her to end up like him too? Executed?’”
This quotation occurs in Chapter 19, The Dowry, after Marji’s parents are informed that she has stood up to her religion teacher for spreading regime propaganda. Ebi is proud of Marji for being outspoken, and it reminds him of Uncle Anoush’s sense of justice and his commitment to his ideals. Taji, on the other hand, is scared and upset. Taji understands that Marji’s outspokenness is extremely dangerous in a country under strict authoritarian rule. Absolutely nothing stands between Marji and a prison cell. Taji also understands that Marji’s identity as a woman is especially dangerous. The regime has shown that it spares no cruelty when punishing its detractors, including subjecting teenage girls to a forced marriage followed by rape. Taji’s point could not be clearer. Conviction and ideals are secondary considerations when one’s life is threatened. Taji believes that it is better to compromise one’s ideals than to wind up dead.
