The Crisis of Bicultural Identity in the Graphic Narratives Sacco’s Palestine and Satrapi’s The Complete Persepolis

Abstract

Background and Problem of Study: This paper explores the crisis of bicultural identity and its impacts through two graphic novels: Palestine (2001) by Joe Sacco and The Complete Persepolis (2007) by Marjane Satrapi. It examines postcolonial and cultural dynamics, focusing on characters’ struggles within bicultural contexts and how these narratives portray the complexities of dual cultural identities.

Objective: The study aims to analyze how these graphic novels represent bicultural conflicts related to human rights, freedom, and assimilation, emphasizing their role in expressing postcolonial narratives.

Methodology: Employing a qualitative case study approach within postcolonial and cultural studies, this research examines Sacco's Palestine and Satrapi’s Persepolis, focusing on visual and textual elements – such as Sacco’s monochrome palette and Satrapi’s simple line art – to analyze how these works depict bicultural identity and socio-political issues.

Findings: The study reveals that Sacco’s Palestine powerfully illustrates cultural fragmentation resulting from Palestinian displacement, while Persepolis captures Marjane’s internal and external struggles between Iranian and European cultures. Both works portray how individuals respond to cultural pressures through solidarity and self-definition, illustrating identity formation within cultural conflict.

Implications: This research suggests that graphic novels serve as effective tools for depicting bicultural identity and postcolonial challenges, offering insights valuable to postcolonial studies, education, and policy. Works like Palestine and The Complete Persepolis promote empathy and cultural understanding by engaging with emotional and cultural struggles, and supporting educational and social frameworks for bicultural individuals.

Conclusion: Through vivid portrayals of bicultural identity, Palestine and The Complete Persepolis contribute to understanding how individuals navigate political and cultural conflicts, fostering resilience and solidarity amid pressures, thus enriching cultural studies.