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Marji Should Be Pardoned In Antigone And Persepolis

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If someone is caught breaking the law, that individual is subject to a punishment suitable to the crime. In Antigone and Persepolis, both Antigone and Marji break the law, but only one has the right to be pardoned from their actions. Even though both of these characters disobey their superiors, they are rebelling to resolve conflicts in each of their respective societies. Individually, they take on the society in which they live, whether it be Antigone versus Thebes and the king Creon or Marji versus the country of Iran and the rulers of the Islamic Revolution. Despite Antigone’s disobedience to Creon and his laws, she should be pardoned from her actions whereas Marji should face a punishment for her rebel against the rulers of the Islamic …show more content…

Due to the fact that she is burying the body of Polyneices, it shows she values the ideas of respect for family and after life. Antigone feels it is morally unethical to leave a body for “bird feed” and feels the need to give her brother a proper burial. This is exemplified when she states to Ismene, “And now you can prove what you are: A true sister or a traitor to your family” (Sophocles 190). This proves Antigone’s right to be pardoned because she is showing her loyalty to her family and respect for the life after death. Also, Antigone deserves the right to be pardoned for burying Polyneices because it shows that she possesses a selfless personality. Even though she realizes that her actions will result in serious consequences, Antigone still decides to bury Polyneices. This proves her right to be pardoned because she displays a much larger concern for the people in her life then herself, which evidences selflessness. Finally, Antigone is worthy of the right to be pardoned because she does not represent the figure of a stereotypical woman. Typical stereotypes characterize woman as scared and weak. However, Antigone defies these characteristics, showing bravery and strength while going on her quest to bury Polyneices. Antigone deserves the right to be pardoned due to her respect for family and afterlife, her selfless …show more content…

First, she craves items that could jeopardize her family's safety. For example, after her parents trip to Turkey, they buy her “luxurious” gifts such as a Kim Wilde poster and Nike sneakers. Even though these items may seem like typical gifts, they are seen as a symbol of decadence. This is deserving of punishment because these items are viewed as a downfall to society, which in turn could get her along with her family could get in serious trouble. Next, Marji proclaims that she is an adult, but still acts and makes decisions like a child. This is evident when she attempts to smoke a cigarette for the first time. She thinks that smoking is a sign of adulthood, and this is evident when she states, “With this first cigarette, I kissed childhood goodbye. Now I was a grown up”(Satrapi 117). This should result in Marji having to face a punishment because she thinks that smoking is a sign of adulthood. Not only does this show a childish action for smoking in general, but also thinking that having one cigarette makes her an adult proves she is not deserving of a pardon. Finally, Marji should not be pardoned due to her immaturity. This is seen when Marji leads a group to attack Ramin with nails in between their fingers with the desire to torture him. This evidences immaturity because Marji wants to torture Ramin due to his father's actions of killing

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