Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis (p. 157). New York, NY: Pantheon Books.

 

Characters: Marjane, Ebi, Taji, Grandma, Uncle Anoosh, Kia, Mali, Uncle Taher, Lucia, Doctor Heller, Julie, Reza

Themes:  Religion, War, Family            

Summary: Persepolis is a graphic novel depicting Marijane in lran. In the beginning, she explains the rebellion, the school she attends, and her dream of becoming a prophet. Her parents are protesters and her uncle helped Azerbaijan declare independence. Iran has been more and more violent. Her neighborhood gets bombed. Her house is unharmed but her neighbor’s house is in pieces. The only thing remains is Neda’s bracelet attached to her unattached arm. Marjane’s parents send her to Vienna because they are concerned for her safety. In Vienna, she lives with the nuns and soon gets kicked out because she calls the prostitutes. She moves in with Julie, then with a group of homosexuals and then with Doctor Hellers. At school, she meets new people and become the school’s drug dealer. Her life is getting bad – lives in the street and then she wakes up in the hospital. Marji returns home and enters school. She becomes very outspoken and voices her concerns about the double standards of dress. Marji soon marries Reza and then divorces him. She realizes she needs to move to Europe again.

As a lesson, a teacher can show the movie version of the book. Once it is done, you can compare and contrast the two versions.