How Does Persepolis Portray the Psychological and

Emotional Impact of War on Children?

In Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi portrays the psychological and emotional
impact of war on children through a vivid depiction of her own childhood
experiences during the Iranian Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War,
illustrating how exposure to violence, loss, fear, and displacement strips
away innocence, creates lasting anxiety, and reshapes their
understanding of the world, while also highlighting their resilience and
coping mechanisms.

In Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi vividly depicts the psychological and

emotional toll of war on children through her own experiences during the
Iranian Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. The graphic novel portrays how
children are forced to confront violence, fear, and loss, while also
developing coping mechanisms that reflect both resilience and
vulnerability. Satrapi’s portrayal captures the profound effects of war on
young minds, emphasizing its ability to strip away innocence, create
anxiety, and reshape their understanding of the world.

One striking aspect of Persepolis is its depiction of children’s exposure to

violence and death. Marjane’s childhood is filled with stories of political
prisoners being tortured, mass executions, and deaths caused by
bombings. For instance, Marjane learns about her uncle Anoosh’s
execution, a deeply traumatic event that shakes her belief in justice. The
constant presence of death forces her to confront human fragility at an
age when she should be shielded from such realities. This exposure
contributes to a premature understanding of mortality, forcing Marjane to
mature emotionally much earlier than she should have. Violence becomes
a part of daily life, leaving children like Marjane to internalize these
traumatic events without the emotional tools to process them.

The war accelerates the loss of childhood innocence, as children like

Marjane are thrust into an adult world of political upheaval and moral
ambiguity. A poignant example is when Marjane and her friends play
games mimicking war, treating martyrdom and violence as humor. These
games reveal how the horrors of war infiltrate childhood, desensitizing
them to violence. As Marjane becomes aware of societal injustices, she
becomes increasingly disillusioned. Her loss of innocence is emblematic of
a generation of children who grew up too fast under the shadow of war.

Fear is a pervasive element in Persepolis, shaping the emotional

landscape of children living through war. Marjane’s life is marked by
terror, such as the frequent bombings in Tehran. In one scene, a missile
strikes her neighborhood, destroying a friend’s home. The realization that
such devastation could strike at any moment creates a constant
undercurrent of anxiety, leaving lasting emotional scars. Even everyday
events become sources of anxiety, as the threat of death or injury looms.
Satrapi uses stark black-and-white imagery to emphasize the oppressive
nature of this fear, highlighting its impact on young minds.

Another significant psychological impact of war depicted in Persepolis is

the normalization of violence. As the conflict drags on, children adapt to
living in a warzone, integrating its realities into daily life. Marjane and her
classmates celebrate martyrdom, even mocking its glorification by
creating homemade medals. This normalization of violence shows their
resilience, but also how war desensitizes them to suffering. Satrapi
portrays this paradox of emotional survival: children cope with trauma at
the cost of their sensitivity to human tragedy. The coping mechanisms
they develop, such as humor and rebellion, allow them to function
emotionally but deprive them of the emotional responses that might help
them process their suffering.

The war’s impact extends beyond the battlefield, as children often face
displacement and alienation. For Marjane, her parents’ decision to send
her to Austria for safety marks a turning point. While the move spares her
from the immediate dangers of war, it introduces a new set of challenges.
In Austria, Marjane struggles with cultural differences and feelings of
isolation, compounded by her memories of home. She finds herself caught
between two worlds—one that she has left behind and one she cannot
fully embrace. This sense of alienation underscores the long-term
emotional consequences of war, as children navigate unfamiliar
environments while carrying the psychological burdens of their past.

Despite the immense psychological strain, children in Persepolis develop

coping mechanisms to endure their circumstances. Marjane’s imagination,
humor, and rebelliousness serve as outlets for processing her trauma. For
instance, her interest in Western music and fashion becomes a form of
resistance against the oppressive regime, allowing her to assert her
identity. These coping strategies highlight both the resilience and
vulnerability of children, as they find ways to survive emotionally while
grappling with the deeper impacts of war. Their methods of coping may
vary, but the need for emotional survival is universal among children
affected by conflict.

Through its poignant and personal narrative, Persepolis offers a powerful

exploration of the psychological and emotional impact of war on children.
Satrapi’s depiction reveals how war strips away innocence, instills fear,
and leaves lasting scars on young minds. At the same time, it showcases
the resilience of children as they navigate the complexities of growing up
in a world marked by violence and uncertainty. By shedding light on these
experiences, Persepolis underscores the profound human cost of war,
particularly for its youngest and most vulnerable victims. In its stark
portrayal of a child's coming-of-age under the shadow of war, Persepolis
serves as a reminder of the lasting emotional scars that conflict leaves
behind, not just on adults, but on the children forced to grow up in its
wake.
Expanding on the impact of war, Satrapi also illustrates how the constant
state of conflict affects children’s sense of security and stability. The ever-
present threat of violence disrupts their ability to form stable relationships
and trust in the world around them. This instability is further highlighted in
scenes where Marjane’s friends and family members disappear or are
killed, leaving her with a profound sense of loss and abandonment. The
instability and uncertainty of war create an environment where children
are in a perpetual state of alertness and fear, unable to fully relax or feel
safe.