Mod. 6 - PERSEPOLIS: THE STORY OF A CHILDHOOD - by Marjane Satrapi

Bibliographic data
Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. New York: Pantheon, 2004.


Critical analysis
This graphic novel is inspiring, unnerving, and saddening. Satrapi depicts the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen. These years saw the overthrow of the Shah's regime and the triumph of the Islamic Revolution.

This graphic novel also details the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The author’s parents are forward-thinking individuals. They have televisions, read and debate politics, read newspapers, listen to American music, and live a pretty good life in Iran. That is until Islamic fundamentalists take over and create rules and regulations that stifle the family. Young Marji’s strong will and independence makes her parents both proud and fearful.

Marjane Satrapi’s life events take place in this short graphic novel. The drawings are simply black and white, but portray the intense events that are happening. This new movement is explained in such a way that readers are able to understand how the Islamic fundamentalists disintegrated the country, community, and its people. It also signifies the difference between home life and public life.




Practical suggestion
A New York Times Notable Book
A Time Magazine “Best Comix of the Year”
A San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times Best-seller

Watch the movie based on Satrapi’s book.

As a class, investigate the recent history, geography, culture, and political climate of Iran.

Key vocabulary words to explain: Muslim, Fundamentalism, Shah, Ayatollah, Shador, Taliban

Make connections with other topics related to this book: Modern World History, Social Problems, and Woman’s Literature.

At the core of the book is Marji’s family. What is this family like? What is important to Marji’s parents? What environment do they create for their daughter despite living under an oppressive regime and through a brutal, prolonged war? From where do they get their strength?

Describe the writer’s voice. Is it appealing? Which aspects of Marji’s character do you identify with or like the most, the least? Did your reaction to the little girl affect your reading experience?

Persepolis became an animated film in 2007.

http://www.randomhouse.com/pantheon/graphicnovels/satrapi.html

External assessments
Publishers Weekly
Skillfully presenting a child's view of war and her own shifting ideals, she also shows quotidian life in Tehran and her family's pride and love for their country despite the tumultuous times. Powerfully understated, this work joins other memoirs-Spiegelman's Maus and Sacco's Safe Area Goradze-that use comics to make the unthinkable familiar.

School Library Journal
The girl's independence, which made her parents both proud and fearful, caused them to send her to Austria. With bold lines and deceptively uncomplicated scenes, Satrapi conveys her story. From it, teens will learn much of the history of this important area and will identify with young Marji and her friends. This is a graphic novel of immense power and importance for Westerners of all ages. It will speak to the same audience as Art Spiegelman's Maus.