Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return

Displaced for a third time, Marjane seeks refuge in Julie’s family home. Here Marjane finds herself traditional and reserved compared to Julie. She is disgusted by the way Julie treats her mother, Armelle, and develops a fond relationship with Armelle because she understands a bit about Iranian culture. For the first time since her exile began, Marjane feels a true connection to someone.

Armelle is traditional, meek, and submissive and yet educated, articulate, and caring. In contrast to Armelle, Julie is wild and free, and she shares with Marjane that she has been having sex for five years with 18 men in total. When Armelle goes out of town for work, Julie throws a party. She helps Marjane get dressed up, including applying thick eyeliner, a look that Marjane keeps throughout her time in Europe. The party is not what Marjane expects as guests lie around, smoke, and make out. At 4 am, the guests finally leave, and Marjane goes to the bedroom to find Julie having sex with her much older boyfriend. They come out mostly nude and Marjane sees a naked man for the first time. In a fit of laughter, she realizes that she is stoned. Further, she realizes that this observation is her first true step in assimilating to Western culture.