Zozo Character Analysis in Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return

Zozo, Houshang’s wife, is a friend of Marjane’s mother. Zozo is supposed to house and care for Marjane in Vienna, but she takes Marjane to a boarding house after just 11 days together. When she lived in Tehran, Zozo had been her husband’s secretary, but in Vienna, Zozo is a hairdresser. She’s bitter about her family’s trajectory and shouts at Houshang every night.

Zozo Character Timeline in Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return

The timeline below shows where the character Zozo 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

...escape Iran’s religious fundamentalism for an “open and secular Europe”—and that her mother’s best friend, Zozo, would take her in. This, however, isn’t what happened: Zozo recently dropped Marjane off at... (full context)

Marjane arrived in Vienna 11 days ago. Zozo and her daughter Shirin, who was Marjane’s childhood friend, picked Marjane up at the airport.... (full context)

Marjane spent 10 days with Zozo’s family. It was awful, since Zozo and her husband, Houshang, fought daily. When the family... (full context)

Marjane knows she can’t go back to Zozo or Ingrid, and she has no interest in returning to evil Frau Doctor Heller. She... (full context)

When the doctor declares Marjane healthy, Marjane remembers Mom saying that Zozo owes her money. Marjane decides to pursue that money—it’s her only chance. Fortunately, Zozo hands... (full context)