Persepolis

by

Marjane Satrapi

Niloufar Character Analysis

A young communist, Khosro hides this woman until she is caught and executed. Marjane’s parents use her as an example to explain to Marjane of the dangers that young women face when arrested. Niloufar was forcibly married off to a prison guard and raped before execution because it is illegal to kill a virgin woman by the strict religious guidelines of Iranian law. To add brutal insult to terrible injury, Niloufar’s family was then sent a dowry for the wedding after the execution.
Get the entire Persepolis LitChart as a printable PDF.
Persepolis PDF

Niloufar Character Timeline in Persepolis

The timeline below shows where the character Niloufar appears in Persepolis. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
The Passport
Nationalism, Heroism, and Martyrdom Theme Icon
Violence, Forgiveness, and Justice Theme Icon
...seeking to leave the country. He also hides in his basement a young lady named Niloufar, a communist who the police have been trying to find. Khosro agrees to make Taher... (full context)
The Dowry
Religion, Repression, and Modernity Theme Icon
Violence, Forgiveness, and Justice Theme Icon
Children, War, and Growing Up Theme Icon
Gender Theme Icon
...making sure the girl is no longer a virgin. This horrifying situation is exactly what Niloufar underwent before her execution. After she was executed, her family received a measly dowry from... (full context)