SImilarities 

Within the texts and short film, there were a few similarities seen. In The Year of the Everlasting Storm and Persepolis we see a theme of sending a young woman away from her family to what the families believe to be a safer option. Marjane is sent to Austria while Solmaz is in school in Europe. Solmaz's grandmother fears that she is at a higher risk for COVID but her daughter-in-law assures her that COVID is everywhere. Being so far away from family, especially in these two families which seem to prioritize their relationships, is a sacrifice itself.

The other similarity is seen in Persepolis and The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree, both Taji and Roza go through a short period of not speaking, where they have lost their autonomy. Roza after her son is executed, and Taji after she is harassed by men in the street. This loss of one's voice can be seen as a freedom being taken from them, a freedom which in the United States we hold as almost sacred. Both mothers go through a traumatic experience which leaves them unable to communicate with those around them and stay in a solitary state.