On page 89, the panel with all the cars fleeing, it looks like a giant fire. If you don't look at the car's windows, it looks like the cars are driving in to the fire. This panel makes me believe that the people are driving themselves to their own doom!
I completely agree Manny. Most artists wouldn't draw a road like this, but as the context says: "Most of the people living in those areas had to flee northward, far from the Iraqi missles."
ReplyDeleteThe fire could also be a reference to religion. Persians were originally polytheists (worshiped numerous Gods) and Gods were associated with elements of nature such as fire. Zoroaster, prophet and teacher of Zoroastrianism, believed fire was a symbol of truth.
So, maybe they are also fleeing from the truth?
("Persian Religion", http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ancientpersia/religion.html)
I think that Satrapi is purposely not telling us where the cars are headed because everybody in the book has a different opinion on whether they are with the Shah or against him. This panel gives the reader a chance to examine and think through the fact that not everybody can run away from their doom and that they would just have to give in, while others can escape. This could connect to social classes. For example; lower classes did not have a choice in their own opinions, therefore they had to follow. Another ex; Majane left Iran, but her parents couldn't.
ReplyDelete-Denitza