The F-14s

Summary:

 Margi at Ebby's office, sees fighter jets in the sky, assumes they are Iran's
 Ebby doubts it's Iran's F-14s, suggests they might be Iraqi jets
 Radios report potential Iraqi bombing of Tehran
 They rush home to check on Taji, who is calmly taking a bath
 Margi suggests Iran should bomb Baghdad, but Ebby reminds her there are no
fighter pilots due to a coup d'etat
 coup d'etat is a sudden, unlawful seizure of power
 Entezam, Margi's friend's Pardisse’s father, is a former fighter pilot who was
imprisoned
 Iranian anthem on TV; announcement of F-14 bombing raids that night
 140 Iranian bombers attack Baghdad; Ebby and Margi are elated
 Condition for pilots to go on the attack is the national anthem playing
 Over half of the 140 fighter planes don't return
 Entezam, Pardisse's dad, is among the casualties
 Margi writes a well-informed 4-page essay on the war, but the teacher is more
impressed by Pardisse's report, a letter to her deceased father about taking care
of the family
 Pardisse expresses a preference for her father being in jail and alive over being
dead and considered a hero

Meaning of the title

The title "F-14s" specifically refers to the American-made F-14 Tomcat fighter jets, which
played a significant role in the conflict and carry multiple layers of meaning in the context of
the book

Analysis

Marjane's Nationalism and Perception of the Enemy:

 Marjane's growing nationalism and love for her country are evident.
 She sees the enemy, likely referring to Iraq in the context of the Iran-Iraq War, as pure
evil.
Father's Perspective:
 Marjane's father, in contrast, views the enemy as people, not just evil entities.
 He uses ironic laughter as a defense mechanism.
 Marjane struggles to fully comprehend her father's reaction.
Blame for the War:
 Marjane's father pins the blame for the war on the Islamic Republic, suggesting that
the regime's actions led to the conflict.
 He recognizes that the nationalistic pride Marjane feels and he himself once felt is
what the regime wants, as it unites Iranians against a common enemy, protecting the
regime from internal dissent.

Normal Life Continues:

  Despite the war and its effects, normal life continues for Marjane's family.

Father's Perspective on the War:

 Marjane's father believes that Iran itself was a significant factor in causing the war
with Iraq.
 He blames the country's inability to effectively fight back on the new government.

Selective Release of Prisoners:

 Similar to the release of political prisoners when it was convenient, generals and
fighter pilots were also released when needed.
 This selective release suggests that the government uses prisoners and soldiers as
tools for its own purposes.

Marjane's Expectations:
 Marjane is upset that her father isn't the hero she expected him to be.
 She is also disappointed by what she perceives as his lack of nationalistic fervour.

Father's Complex Attitude:

 Despite his critical perspective on the government and the war's causes, Marjane's
father can be both supportive and critical of his country.
 This duality in his attitude suggests that he can love his country while still
acknowledging its flaws and shortcomings.

Marjane's Growth:
 Marjane's ability to understand this seeming contradiction in her father's attitude
reflects her ongoing process of maturation and her evolving understanding of
complex, real-world issues.

Marjane's Romanticizing Tendency:

 Marjane tends to romanticize her strong feelings and experiences, including tragic
events.
 She sees her friend's father's death in combat through a romantic and heroic lens.

Lack of Empathy:
 Marjane doesn't fully understand the emotional impact of her friend's father's death
on her friend.
 She fails to grasp that death is a profound loss, regardless of the circumstances.

Confronting Human Costs:

 With her friend's father's death, Marjane begins to confront the human costs of war.
 This experience challenges her idealized notions of heroism and forces her to
recognize the personal and emotional toll of conflict.

Development of Empathy:
 Marjane's encounter with her friend's loss is a significant moment in her personal
growth, marking the beginning of her ability to empathize with the human suffering
caused by the war.
Characterisation

Marjane: Her growing nationalistic fervor and love for her country, despite her father's
critical perspective, highlight her youthful idealism. However, as she grapples with her
father's criticism of the government's role in the Iran-Iraq War and the selective release of
prisoners and fighter pilots, we see her maturing. Her understanding of the complexities and
contradictions in her father's attitude reveals her ability to grapple with real-world
complexities. Moreover, her romanticization of her friend's father's death underscores her
initial lack of empathy, marking the beginning of her recognition of the human costs of war.
This chapter showcases Marjane's evolution from a wide-eyed idealist to a more nuanced
and empathetic individual.

Marjane’s Father: In the chapter "F-14s" in Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis," Marjane's father
undergoes significant character development. His perspective on the Iran-Iraq War reflects
a nuanced and evolving outlook. At the beginning of the chapter, he criticizes the war and
the new government, holding them responsible for the conflict. This suggests his critical and
rational side. However, as the chapter progresses, he reveals a complex emotional range.
His ironic laughter, a coping mechanism, demonstrates his ability to find humor in dire
situations. His ability to be both supportive and critical of his country reflects a deep
patriotism coupled with a willingness to acknowledge its flaws, showing him as a multi-
dimensional character who embodies the complexities of Iranian society during the war.

Marjane’s Mother: Initially portrayed as somewhat detached from the severity of the war,
her character evolves as she learns about the bombings that have taken place. Her initial
lack of awareness may stem from a coping mechanism to shield herself from the constant
fear and uncertainty. However, as the chapter progresses, her character becomes more
complex. She conveys a quiet resilience, symbolizing the strength of many Iranian women
during the war. Her ability to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos reflects the
determination and adaptability of a mother who is trying to protect her family from the
horrors of war. This character development underscores the multifaceted roles women
played during times of crisis and the depth of their emotional strength.

Pardisse: This chapter provides a glimpse into Pardisse's personal life and the emotional
impact of the war on her family. Pardisse's father, a fighter pilot, tragically dies in combat.
This event sheds light on the human costs of the war, and for Pardisse, it's a devastating loss.
Through Pardisse's grief and the portrayal of her family's pain, the character becomes a
symbol of the countless Iranian families affected by the conflict, highlighting the harsh
reality faced by ordinary people amidst the political turmoil and international tensions. This
development deepens the emotional and human aspects of the story, juxtaposed against
the broader political backdrop.

Themes

1. War and its Realities: The central theme is the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). The
chapter delves into the harsh realities of war, from the fear and uncertainty
 experienced by civilians to the devastating impact on families like Marjane's and
Pardisse's. It shows how war disrupts everyday life and forces people to confront
mortality.
2. Nationalism and Patriotism: The chapter also delves into the theme of nationalism
and patriotism. Marjane's growing nationalistic fervour and her father's complex
view of the government's role in the war highlight the idea of love for one's country,
even in the face of criticism or disillusionment with the government.
3. Complex Emotions: The emotions and psychological impact of war are prominently
depicted. Marjane's reaction to her father's supposed lack of nationalistic fervour
and her romanticizing of her friend's father's death in combat reveal the complexity
of emotions experienced by individuals during wartime.
4. Government Manipulation: The chapter underscores how the government
manipulates public sentiment by encouraging nationalistic fervour and using
selective release of prisoners, generals, and fighter pilots as tools for its own
purposes. It highlights the regime's strategies to maintain control through
propaganda and emotional manipulation.
5. Human Cost: The theme of human cost is evident in the death of Pardisse's father. It
serves as a poignant reminder that war has very real and tragic consequences on
individual lives, as well as on the collective consciousness of a nation.
6. Maturation and Understanding: Marjane's growth and her evolving understanding
of her father's perspective and the complexities of the war serve as a subtheme. She
begins to recognize that her father can simultaneously love his country and criticize
it, marking a step in her maturity.

Stylistic Devices

1. Narrative Style: Satrapi uses a first-person narrative style throughout the graphic
novel. This style gives readers an intimate insight into Marjane's thoughts, emotions,
and perspective on the events, making her experiences relatable and empathetic.
2. Panels and Gutter: The chapter uses a standard grid layout for its panels and gutters.
This format provides a clear and organized flow of the story, allowing readers to
follow Marjane's experiences and her family's reactions during the war.
3. Dialogue and Thought Balloons: Dialogue balloons and thought balloons are used to
convey conversations and internal monologues. They provide insight into the
characters' emotions and reactions, adding depth to the narrative.
4. Sound Effects: Sound effects are used sparingly but effectively to convey the auditory
aspects of war, such as the noise of bombings or fighter jets. These effects immerse
the reader in the sensory experiences of the characters.
5. Motion Lines: Motion lines are used during action sequences to create a sense of
movement and dynamism. For instance, when the F-14s fly overhead, motion lines
are employed to depict their speed and presence in the sky.

Figurative Language: Throughout the chapter, there are instances of figurative language,
such as similes and metaphors, which enrich the narrative. For example, when Marjane
describes the F-14s as "like a storm cloud," she employs a simile to create a vivid mental
image.
Diction: The choice of words and vocabulary used by Satrapi helps to convey the intensity of
emotions and the grim reality of the war. Words like "devastation," "fear," "uncertainty," and
"tragedy" contribute to the somber tone.

Allusions

1. F-14 Fighter Jets: The primary allusion in this chapter is to the American-made F-14
fighter jets. These aircraft were widely known and were used by the Iranian Air Force
during the Iran-Iraq War. The allusion to F-14s serves as a symbol of Western
influence and military technology in the region.
2. The Iran-Iraq War: While not a direct allusion, the entire chapter revolves around the
Iran-Iraq War, a significant historical event. The war itself can be considered an
allusion to the broader geopolitical and regional conflicts of the time.
3. American Involvement: The use of American-made F-14s against Iran alludes to the
complex involvement of the United States in the region. It highlights the geopolitical
alliances and contradictions of American foreign policy in the Middle East.
4. "The Devil's Leg": When Marjane describes the F-14s as "the devil's leg," it's a
metaphorical and symbolic allusion to the evil and destructive power associated with
these fighter jets. This reference reinforces the sense of fear and dread experienced
by the characters.
5. "Like a Storm Cloud": The comparison of the F-14s to a storm cloud alludes to the
impending danger and the darkness they bring. It creates a vivid mental image and
contributes to the ominous atmosphere.

Short Quiz on this Chapter

1. What do the F-14 fighter jets represent in the chapter "F-14s"?

a) Iranian national pride
b) Western influence
c) Iraqi military technology
d) Symbol of peace

2. How does Marjane react to her friend's father's death in combat?

a) She is empathetic and understanding.
b) She romanticizes it in heroic terms.
c) She is indifferent.
d) She is critical of her friend.

3. Why does Marjane's father blame the Iranian government for the war with Iraq?
a) He believes they didn't do enough to protect Iran.
b) He thinks the government's nationalism is misguided.
c) He blames them for starting the war.
d) He praises the government's role in the conflict.

4. What literary device is used when the F-14s are described as "the devil's leg"?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
 c) Irony
d) Personification

Answers:
1. b) Western influence
2. b) She romanticizes it in heroic terms.
3. c) He blames them for starting the war.
4. b) Metaphor