Frau Doctor Heller Character Analysis in Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return

Frau Doctor Heller is Marjane’s fourth and final landlord in Vienna. Both Marjane and Marjane’s mother laugh about Frau Doctor Heller behind her back, as Frau Doctor Heller looks vaguely like a horse and makes bad tea that tastes like horse urine. Marjane finds that living with her is wonderful for a while, as her villa is beautiful. However, Frau Doctor Heller ultimately turns out to be racist and mean. She doesn’t think it’s a problem that her dog poops on Marjane’s bed and eventually accuses Marjane of theft and prostitution. Fed up, Marjane walks out and lives on the streets. When Marjane eventually returns for her belongings in preparation for her return to Iran, Frau Doctor Heller won’t return many of Marjane’s things—she insists on keeping them as payment for Marjane’s supposed theft of a brooch.

Frau Doctor Heller Character Timeline in Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return

The timeline below shows where the character Frau Doctor Heller appears in Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Identity, Culture, and Self-Expression Theme Icon

...are temporary, Mom finds Marjane a new apartment. When they go see it, the landlord, Frau Doctor Heller , greets them and offers them tea. They agree to the terms of the lease.... (full context)

Frau Doctor Heller lives in an old villa built by her father. The only downside to these living... (full context)

...with Enrique, but she hangs out often with his anarchist friends. She feels caught between Frau Doctor Heller ’s house, school, and her anarchist friends. (full context)

...things are no better. Marjane doesn’t have marijuana anymore since she’s not seeing Ingrid much. Frau Doctor Heller kicks Markus out, insisting her home isn’t a brothel. She accuses Marjane of prostitution. Enraged,... (full context)

...who’s cared about her in the last four years. As Marjane cries in her room, Frau Doctor Heller steps in and accuses her of stealing a brooch. Marjane cries more, wondering where her... (full context)

...go back to Zozo or Ingrid, and she has no interest in returning to evil Frau Doctor Heller . She sleeps on the streets for more than two months and slowly develops a... (full context)

...asks her parents not to ask about her absence. They promise. Then, Marjane stops at Frau Doctor Heller ’s for her belongings. Frau Doctor Heller insists on keeping some things as payment for... (full context)

...to, she can’t find one. In the kitchen, Mom offers Marjane breakfast. They giggle about Frau Doctor Heller ’s disgusting tea and Mom says she’d like a cigarette. Marjane is shocked, but she... (full context)