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  Marjane Satrapi

  Marji is the main character.
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  Mrs. Satrapi or Taji

  Taji is Marji's mother.
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  Mr. Satrapi or Ebi

  Ebi is Marji's father.
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  Grandma Satrapi

  Grandma is Marji's grandmother.
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  Uncle Anoosh

  Anoosh is Marji's Uncle.
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  Secondary Characters

  
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-Marji:

Young Marji: In the beginning of the memoir, we meet Marji as a 9-year-old. At this time, she explains to us what her country is going through, as well as her family. As she grows up, we see her struggling with her with beliefs in her nationality. (3-110)

Teen Marji: Marji, in her teenage years portrays an image of rebellion. She decides to create a "punk" look for self-image and dabble in things such as drugs and boys. She lost track of herself, as an Iranian woman for a while, but eventually realizes who she is. She learns a lot about herself, European lifestyle and becomes somewhat independent. (111-245)

Adult Marji: At this time, she is returning to Iran after four years in Austria. She is struggling with her identity in her country after living in the Western World. We see her finally finding herself by the end of the book by leaving Iran for the last time to live in France. (246-341)

- Parents (Ebi and Taji): They are usually seen as a pair, and we rarely see them on their own. They are progressive and modern and attend the demonstrations of the citizens of Tehran. They are the ones who shape Marji's political views and some of her life. (3-341)

- Grandmother: She is Taji's mother and very close with Marji. She reminds Marji throughout the book to always be true to herself. (6-153, 260-341)

- Uncle Anoosh: He is the brother of Ebi, and a big influence on Marji. He lived in Russia and was accused of being a spy. (54-70)

- Markus: This is Marji's first love, whom she meets while in Austria. He gives her first kiss and they become very close for a period of time. After some time he begins to pressure Marji into doing things she is naïve, ignores her and in the end, cheats on her with another girl. (219-232)

- Lucia: Lucia is Marji's first roommate when she arrives in Austria in a boarding house. They have a language barrier at first, but after some time they become friends and Marji even stays with Lucia's family while on a break from school. (161-172)

- Julie: This is one of Marji's friends from Austria. Julie is in Marji's first "real' friend group in Europe. After Marji gets kicked out of the boarding house she resides with Julie and her family. Julie introduces Marji to her first "teen' party. (166-197)

- Doctor Heller: Doctor Heller is the owner of the last residence Marji stays at while in Austria. She is pretty much immediately disliked by Marji and her mother based on the terrible tea she makes during their first meeting. Marji's stay in Doctor's Heller's place, to say the least, is uncomfortable in various ways. She does not treat Marji well and eventually Marji leaves to become homeless for a short period of time. (205-234)

- Reza: Marji's main love interest in the last part of the memoir. He and Marji go to the University together, get married, and eventually get a divorce. (276-331)

Secondary Characters

- God: Marji's perception of God appears as a Karl Marx figure in her mind. When she was younger, he was more of an imaginary friend. As she grew up, she abandoned her faith. (3-70)

- Kia and Kaveh: Marji's childhood friends. (10-63)

Kia: At the end of the book he is a victim of the Revolution, losing his arm and the use of his legs. (258-266)

- Mehri: The maid of the Satrapi family. She came to live with the Satrapis when she was a young girl and took care of Marji when she was a baby. (33-39)

- Siamak Jari and Mohsen Shakiba: These two people were political prisoners of Iran and released after the Shah was overthrown. (47-51)

- Uncle Taher: This is Marji's uncle who had two heart attacks because of all the stress and fear of the war in Iran. He sent his two sons off to safety in Holland, but his wife refuses to move there with them, as the borders are closed. After another attack, Uncle Taher suffers his third and last heart attack which leads to his death. (118-125)

- Shirin: Shirin is Marji's mother's best friend's daughter. She hasn't lived in the rough times that Marji was used to back in Iran, so Marji does not relate to her that well. (156- 157)

- ZoZo: This is Marji's mother's best friend whom she originally stays with when arriving in Austria. She appears to be annoyed most of the time Marji is staying with them and eventually sends her to stay in the boarding house since their apartment is "too small'. (156-158)

- Zozo's Husband: Zozo's husband is in a bad financial situation due to not having a good job like he did in Iran when times were good. ZoZo is constantly bickering with him over money issues. (156- 158)

- Julie's Mom: Julie's mother takes Marji in after she gets kicked out of the boarding house. She is a kind woman, but cannot seem to control her daughter, Julie's, wild teen ways. (180- 181)

- Enrique: This is Marji's first real boyfriend. He turns out to be gay and they break up. Marji was upset because she just wanted to truly be loved at this point in her life. (208- 214)

- Ingrid: Marji meets Ingrid through her first boyfriend, Enrique. She originally thinks Enrique likes her better, instead of him turning out to be gay. Marji and Ingrid did drugs together. (211- 218)

- Markus's Mom: This is the mother of Markus, Marji's first love. She disapproves of their relationship and often treats Marji badly, frequently kicking her out of her house. (220)

 

Groups of People

-Friends in Austria: This is Marji's first group of friends after arriving in Austria. They sometimes peer pressure her and persuade her thoughts. (166- 197)

- Lucia's Family: Lucia, Marji's roommate while in the boarding house, let's Marji stay with them when she has no where to stay over a school break. They welcome her with open arms. (170- 172)

- The Nuns: The nuns run the boarding house that Marji stays at in Austria. They discriminate against Marji and when she decides to eventually do the same back to them, she gets kicked out of the boarding house. (159- 178)

- Marji's Adult Friends: These people are friends of both Reza and Marji. They have parties and do everything that is considered against the law in Iran. (292-341)