Naive Beginnings

(1-39)
I like how Marjane was a big dreamer as a child. When she was six, she was sure she was a prophet, and she had written her own book of rules (Satrapi 6). I admire the way little Marjane desired to be a prophet, wanting "to be justice, love and the wrath of God all in one" (Satrapi 9). She obviously cared about others, forbidding seniors to suffer and allowing social classes to join together. She lightly addresses that she conversed often with God (Satrapi 8). This part caught my eye because I personally believe that all children, no matter what religion, at some point in their childhood naively strike up conversations with God, whether it is to ask for a favor or just to have a casual conversation. I remember when I was a kid, I would sometimes imagine that God was taking time out of his busy schedule to ask me how my day was, even though I've been agnostic all my life.

I noticed that Marjane was an extremely inquisitive child. She was always excited by the idea of partaking in demonstrations (Satrapi 17). She even believed that she bore resemblance to Che Guevara, Latin American revolutionary (Satrapi 16). I found it astonishing when Marjane stayed in a bathtub full of water for a long time to understand her grandfather's hardships as a prisoner (Satrapi 25). She stood by her own beliefs, even at such a young age. She defied rules, writing letters for her maid and going to a real demonstration on the disastrous day that came to be known as Black Friday (Satrapi 35-39). Marjane really understands what is going on around her in such a horrible time, and instead of hiding from it, like other children, she stands up for what she believes is right. All in all, from what is apparent on the pages of this book, Marjane was a pretty amazing child.