Marjane Satrapi's Embroideries

An Illustrated Story of Women Behind Closed Doors

Sep 5, 2009

Marjane Satrapi's recollection of truthful, surreal and unreal conversations among women under the veil

Based on the author’s own life, the story begins after a delicious dinner, that makes one sleepy. The men in the story, which include a Mr. Satrapi, Marjane Satrapi’s grandfather, among the other guests’ husbands, head to the bedrooms for an unwinding digestive nap. The women however, stay behind for an Opium induced tea. Marjane Satrapi’s grandmother, an opium addict, states that the teas effect makes for good conversation.

So begins the enlightenment of the crowd, with a story about her deceased friend. In her day, where arranged marriages were tradition, her friend was indeed in love with a man other than her arranged husband. With 19 days before her arranged marriage, she had made the mistake of sleeping with the man she was in love with. Her husband would find out of her infidelity and surely divorce and condemn her. In her crazed state, she asked Marjane Satrapi’s grandmother for advice, an idea or solution that would allow her to still marry and keep her honor.

After hours of staying awake contemplating her friend’s mistake, she came up with the perfect solution. She advised her that on the day of her wedding, she was to take a razor blade and squeeze her thighs, scream in agonizing pain and slice herself enough to draw blood and fake her virginity.

Her friend, desperate to not be caught, took her advice. On the night of her honeymoon, she squeezed her thighs, screamed and accidentally cut her husband instead. She managed to keep her dignity and her husband never uttered a word of the sacred night.

The women take turns telling each other embarrassing stories of each other’s personal lives. The stories fluctuate from a runaway bride forced to marry at 13 years old, to the debate whether foreskin is at all photogenic. Considering and understanding the concept of enjoying being a mistress because of the reaping benefits that include good breath, clean shirts and a mouth full of conversation

A fast read that breathes life and gives a small insight into the complexity that is a woman; as caring as a best friend’s advice; and as personal as a trip to the gynecologist's office.

Marjane Satrapi’s Books

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The copyright of the article Marjane Satrapi's Embroideries in Biographies/Memoirs is owned by Ingrid Calderon. Permission to republish Marjane Satrapi's Embroideries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.