French Exam Success: Marjane's Austrian Story

Marjane's parents send her to Austria to attend one of the best French schools in Europe. They believe that education is the only way for Marjane to escape her situation in Iran and have a bright future. However, Marjane experiences a culture shock in Austria, feeling lonely and struggling to adjust to the new language, food, and people. As the important French baccalaureate exam approaches, she realises that she is not prepared for it.

Marjane's parents send her to Austria for a good French education

Marjane's parents send her to Austria to receive a good French education. They see education as the only way for Marjane to escape her situation and have a bright future. Her father cannot leave Iran because no man over the age of 13 can leave the country, and her mother wants to stay with her father. They waited too long to escape Iran and find a new home. Marjane's mother tells her, "You're fourteen and I know how I brought you up. Above all, I trust your education." They remind her that, when she had been younger, they had sent her to summer camp in France. That had been "real independence," Marji remembers. Her parents tell her that they feel it is "better for you to be far away and happy than close by and miserable."

Marjane's introduction to Austria is a culture shock. The language, food, and people are unfamiliar, and she feels lonely when everyone at the boarding house is laughing at a movie she can't understand. However, Marjane was also lonely living with Zozo's family. Her experience there was perhaps even more of a culture shock than moving to a new country.

Marjane has always managed to coast academically in Vienna, but as the important French baccalaureate exam approaches, she realises that she's not prepared for it. It is not clear how she passes the exam, but she does manage to remain in Austria and continue her education.

The novel ends with Marjane's family saying their goodbyes and telling her to remain true to herself while she is in Europe. As Marjane boards the plane for Austria, she looks back to see her mother passed out and her father catching her. By looking back, Marjane shows that she's experiencing doubts about leaving her parents, family, and home.

Marjane's parents assure her that one of the best French schools in Europe is in Austria

Marjane's parents see education as the only way for her to escape her situation and have a bright future. Her father can't leave Iran because no man over the age of 13 can, and her mother wants to stay with him. They waited too long to escape Iran and find a new home, so they send Marjane to Europe instead.

Marjane experiences a culture shock when she arrives in Austria. The language, food, and people are unfamiliar, and she feels lonely when everyone at the boarding house is laughing at a movie she can't understand. However, she was also lonely living with Zozo's family in Iran, and her experience there was perhaps even more of a culture shock than moving to a new country.

Marjane deals with the difficulties of her new life by getting drugs from Café Camera and selling them to the rest of the school. Academically, she manages to coast, but as the important French baccalaureate exam approaches, she realises that she's not prepared for it.

Marjane's mother tells her that she trusts her education

Marjane's introduction to Austria is a culture shock. The language, food, and people are unfamiliar, and she feels lonely when everyone at the boarding house is laughing at a movie she can't understand. However, she was also lonely living with Zozo's family. Her experience there was perhaps even more of a culture shock than moving to a new country.

Marjane has always managed to coast academically in Vienna, but as the important French baccalaureate exam approaches, she realises that she's not prepared for it.

Marjane deals drugs at school

Marjane's parents sent her to Austria because they wanted her to get a good French education. They see education as the only way for Marjane to escape her situation and have a bright future. Her father can't leave Iran because no man over the age of 13 can leave the country, and her mother wants to stay with her father. They waited too long to escape Iran and find a new home. Marjane's introduction to Austria is a culture shock. The language, food, and people are unfamiliar, and she feels lonely. However, she had also felt lonely living with Zozo's family. Her experience there was perhaps even more of a culture shock than moving to a new country.

Marjane's parents tell her that they are sending her to Austria because it has become too dangerous for her in Iran. They assure her that one of the best French schools in Europe is in Austria. Her mother tells her, “You’re fourteen and I know how I brought you up. Above all, I trust your education.” They remind her that, when she had been younger, they had sent her to summer camp in France. That had been “real independence,” Marji remembers. Her parents tell her that they feel it is “better for you to be far away and happy than close by and miserable.”

Marjane feels unprepared for the French baccalaureate exam

Marjane's parents sent her to Austria because they wanted her to get a good French education. They see education as the only way for Marjane to escape her situation and have a bright future. Her father can't leave Iran because no man over the age of 13 can leave the country, and her mother wants to stay with her husband. They waited too long to escape Iran and find a new home, so they send Marjane to Europe to be safe.

Marjane's mother tells her, “You’re fourteen and I know how I brought you up. Above all, I trust your education.” They remind her that, when she had been younger, they had sent her to summer camp in France. That had been “real independence,” Marji remembers. Her parents tell her that they feel it is “better for you to be far away and happy than close by and miserable.”

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