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Hi!
What is your name? Sparsh Didwania
Since you have started reading Satrapis graphic memoir (pun wholly intended: graphic =
pictorial and graphic = vivid and explicit) and would be filled with myriad thoughts and
upon close reading of the text
this document is a way of summarizing all of that in a succinct, organized way for
further reference!
Lets revise some literary terms
mood the effect of literature on the reader: it is usually controlled by imagery
allusion in literature, an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, or thing or to a part of
another text. Most allusions are based on the assumption that there is a body of knowledge that is
shared by the author and the reader and that therefore the reader will understand the author's
referent
theme an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature
memoir a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge, emphasizing an
intimate or personal viewpoint
and some terms and concepts related to Graphic Novels!
panel a distinct segment of the comic, containing a combination of image and text in endless
variety.
frame the lines and borders that contain the panels.
gutter the space between framed panels
emanate text or icons that represent whats going on in the characters head
figures faces can be portrayed in different ways. Some figures depict an actual person, others
can represent an idea, or group of people.
captions these are boxes containing a variety of text elements. They can add narration (voice
over), or describe the physical setting or the scene.
speech balloons these enclose dialogue that comes from a specific speakers mouth. These can
show external dialogue, or internal thoughts (usually represented by circles that lead to the
balloon).
Some other terms that can help with analysis are:

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historical context reflects the time in which something takes place or was created and how
that influences how you interpret it.
secular of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious,
spiritual, or sacred
The West Countries in the western hemisphere including the United States, and Western
Europe
Theocracy a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god
Characters, Events and Allusions in the Text
In order to fully understand the events and references in Persepolis, you need to know about
these important people, places, and ideas. You will research to find valid information about each
of the terms listed below (1-5). For each, write down just a few sentences and the name of your
source. Also, read through the rest of the terms so that you are prepared for reading.
1. Persepolis

2. Capitalism

3. Socialism (or Marxism)

4. Dialectical Materialism

5. Totalitarianism

The Shah - (formerly, in Iran) king; sovereign. There were two, the original Shahs son was
overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Islamic Revolution Iran 1979 a state of revolt when the Iranian Shah was overthrown and an
Islamic theocracy was put in place.
Zarathustra - 6th century b.c., Persian religious teacher.

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Fidel Castro - A Cuban political leader of the twentieth century. He led the revolution that in
1959 overthrew the dictator of Cuba, who had the support of the United States. Castro then
presided over his country's transformation into a communist state.
Che Guevara - Theoretician and tactician of guerrilla warfare and prominent figure in Fidel
Castro's revolution in Cuba (195659).
Trotsky, Leon, 1879-1940, Russian Communist revolutionary, one of the principal leaders in the
establishment of the USSR
Hossein Fatemi, PhD - was a famous politician of Iran, born in 1919 in Nain and was executed
on 10 November 1954. He proposed the thesis of nationalization of Iranian oil and gas assets to
Premiere Mossadegh

Write down any ideas or words that come to mind when you think about Iran.

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From: http://www.globalresearch.ca/coverStoryPictures2/25718.jpg

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Persepolis Chapter Questions

Introduction
1. According to the introduction, what stereotypical image is Satrapi trying to dispel?
Answer: The image of Iran as a fundamentalist society, connected with fanaticism and terrorism.
2. The author indicates two motives for writing Persepolis. What are they?
Answer: 1. To convey a truer, more authentic image of Iran, as opposed to a nation of extremists.
2. To ensure that the sacrifices and suffering of the Iranians arent forgotten.

Get the drift? Now, answer the questions on each chapter based on your
understanding of the text. Remember to point out some notable panels in each
chapter and their relevance to the idea(s) in the chapter.
The Veil ________________________________________________________________
3. How was education affected by the new regime? Why?

4. What did the veil symbolize?

5. What did bilingual schools represent to the new regime?

6. How do women respond to the veil?

7. Why was a picture of Marjanes mother published in the newspaper? How did her mother
respond? Why?

8. Describe the symbolism and conflict represented in the picture on the top left of page 6.

9. Why does Marji want to be a prophet? (3 reasons)

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10. Who is Zarathustra, and what are his three rules for living?

11. How do others respond to Marjis religious calling?

The Bicycle_______________________________________________________________
13. Who are Che Guevara, Fidel, and Trotsky? (Look them up!) Why are they important?

14. How does Marjis relationship with God begin to change?

15. What happens at the Rex Cinema? What does the Shah say? What do Marjanes parents
know?

The Water Cell____________________________________________________________

17. According to Marji, how was a king chosen? What was her rationale?

18. Why did Marjis parents react to her statement about the Shah (hint: her family history)?

19. What was Marjis grandfathers job under Reza? How did his beliefs change, and how did
his life change?

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20. Why does God return after a long absence?

Persepolis_________________________________________________________________
22. How did the new Shahs rule compare to his fathers?

23. Describe the symbolism of the image at the top of page 28.

24. What did Marjis father do every day that makes her mother so nervous? Why is this
activity strictly forbidden?

The Letter________________________________________________________________
27. What causes Marji to feel so ashamed? Why?

28. How does Marji view Mehri? How does Mehri view Marji?

29. What did Marji do for six months to help Mehri? Why?

30. What is the outcome when the news of Mehris clandestine affair reaches Marjis father?
Why did it end up that way?

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31. What is Marjis reaction to the break-up?

32. What happened on Black Friday? Why? What painful lesson did Marji learn?

The Party_________________________________________________________________
33. How does the Shah attempt to appease the people? Why did he fail?

34. How had the U.S. changed its public policy toward Iran?

35. According to Marjis dad, why will the Middle East never have peace? What do you
think?

36. What contributes to Marjis anger and confusion when she returns to school?

37. What two lessons does Marji learn from her mother?

The Heroes- The Heroism of The Rebels

39. Where had Siamak and Mohsen been for the last several years? Why?
Siamak wrote subversive article in the Keyhan and Mohsen crime was that he was a
revolutionary.

40. Who led the training in torture practices?

The tortures received special training by the CIA who knew each part of the body and knew
where to hit. They wipped with thick electric cables.

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41. According to Marji, what makes a hero?

Going to prison
Surviving the torture
Living to tell the story

Moscow
42. Who is Anoosh? How does Marji feel about him? Why?

43. Who is Fereydoon? What was his goal?

44. Where did Anoosh go after Fereydoons arrest? How would you characterize him?

45. When he had to leave, where did he go?

46. What does Anoosh study in the USSR?

47. What gift does Anoosh give to Marji? What might it symbolize?

The Sheep________________________________________________________________
49. What is the significance of the title? How does it help to characterize the people of Iran?

50. According to Anoosh, why is it nearly impossible to persuade the population to follow
Marxism?

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51. What was the reported outcome of the elections? How does Marjis father explain these
results?

52. Why do Marjis parents subject themselves to a political upheaval and refuse to leave
Iran? What is their opinion of those who left?

53. What makes Marji suspect that something has happened to Anoosh?

54. What is Anooshs final wish? Why?

55. Who comes to visit Marji after Anooshs death? What is Marjis reaction?

Did you like studying the graphic novel in this manner? Feel free to reflect on your activity
and to share your ideas with mefor our discussion of the chapters ahead!