It is no secret to me that Persepolis by Marjane Santrapi is story about Marjane coming of age. But I also think that before the book she already came of age in excepting who she was and what kind of a situation she was in. So therefore Marjane really had a much different coming of age experience that we have come to except in all coming of age books. Her experience was one that was full of traveling and independence that really left the reader in awe of her story.
Marjane changed the moment she kissed her mom goodbye and got on a plane to go to Europe to start her new life. When she arrives in Austria she meets up with an old family friend but is forced to move to Vienna Italy to a catholic boarding school. Due to the situation Marjane's family friends family was in. So that move made her have to put up with people that weren't her family. Which is a key if you want to grow up. Than she meets new people and has a great 3 years of experience in the Catholic school until she gets kicked out, because she stood up for herself to who she was.
Then Marjane moves to a living home in Paris to finish high school she then exposed herself to alcohol and drugs but was mature enough to get away from it and fight off pear pressure. That right there was a key factor to how Marjane changes. After living in Europe for six years and going through boyfriends and friends so quickly, that she decided to go back home. When Marjane went back home to Iran she returned as a full adult women. One that could make all the smart decisions on her own and could live a self sustainable life.
Marjane got a degree in graphic art and has now lived a very successful life as a writer. The reason was that her coming of age experience was truly one of a kind and brought her success as a writer and as a person. Her changes were so important to her life and what she was able to accomplish. It was an experience that was truly worth living for.
