"Politics and sentiment do not mix"
It's difficult for me to agree with this as the memoir is written with the mix, but I can understand the concept. Politics is, in a way, derived from sentiment: how we need to control ourselves and others for the safety of us and our children. Politics and sentiment always walk alongside each other and are pulled apart and put together in many ways.
I think what Satrapi's father means is that they don't mix in the way oil and water don't. There will never be some kind of utopian regime where every sentiment and opinion is shared so that society will be governed accordingly. There will always be a struggle despite any sentiments. The empowerment of one's beliefs and opinions may fuel one's desire to overcome struggle but they don't really make peace with eachother.
In a way as well saying the two do not mix could imply that in order to be a politician, you should not have any sentiment. You should not my sympathetic to your constituency. As absurd as that sounds, that really is what is happening. Their government does not care that people have lives, children, aspirations, and desire to progress as a society. Their government follows a more inhumane doctrine. This could be a sarcastic remark towards their oppressive government.
I think that it might be a bitter truth that one has to come to terms with, especially in that situation. Even though Satrapi's mother and grandmother fought actively for what they believe in, their voices were cast out and ignored.
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I loved how you compared what Marji's father said and related that to the example of mixing oil and water...or the lack of mixing oil and water. Great point! I agree with that, but I also think that her father was trying to protect her, seeing that she was so strong headed maybe he wanted to be certain that she heard this to make an attempt at having his daughter alive and well after she so bravely spoke her mind time and time again. I really enjoyed reading your blog and your oil/water mix up...good stuff
ReplyDeleteI think you are on to something with the comment about how no utopian regime can exist where every is pleased. But there does have to be some kind of balance, like you alluded to, the government in persopolis gives absolutely no regard to the people's personal freedoms. I think it speaks stronger to the sentiment of the Iranian regime that women can't experience personal freedoms as minascule as wearing their hair out or holding hands on the street. A bitter truth indeed...
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