Satrapi visually depicts in a graphic novel how stories of violation become part of a family’s social dynamic. Persepolis shows how stories of violence pass between parents and their children in a way that embeds family groups within a time of personal grief, and traumatic occurrences. The graphic images of dying bodies that Satrapi portrays do not provide comfort or a sense of relief for the reader. However, they are an outlet for the reader to cope with the horrific events of the novel. In the end, the author does an eloquent job of depicting how one family’s loss is transpired into the bond of identification for one girl, Marjane. Through this development of identification the reader is able to view the emotional turmoil that one loss has on an entire family as a result. “In Persepolis, Satrapi focuses on the family memories of the youthful Marjane. Satrapi depicts many family characters telling their story to the child Marjane. For example, her Uncle Anoosh states, “I tell you all this because it’s important that you know, our family memory must not be lost,”(Satrapi 60). The text serves as an intimate commemoration of the dead as seen in a prison cell scene with the child Marjane and her uncle. As a form of mourning, Persepolis remembers, names, and honors Satrapi’s uncle” (Segall, 38-49). It’s evident that in Persepolis, family relationships are prevalent in times of war, change, and holding memories forever.
Kimberly Wedeven Segall. "Melancholy Ties: Intergenerational Loss and Exile in Persepolis." Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East 28.1 (2008): 38-49. Project MUSE. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 6 Apr. 2009
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to have students develop and connect on family members that have impacted them in similar ways as the family members in Marjane Satrapi’s story.
Overall lesson topic/title: Family
Grade Level Content Expectations: This lesson is designed for high school level students.
Goals/Objectives:
Knowledge Goal: The goal of this activity is to focus students’ writing around the dynamic relationships of family members in their lives with those in Marjane Satrapi.
Commitment Goal: Students will write their essays based on authentic real life situations involving experiences with members in their family.
Materials/supplies needed: A computer to write the essay, and a printer.
Procedures & approximate time allocated for each event: This assignment will take approximately take 4 hours total.
Closing summary for the lesson: Students will write a brief 4-5 paged essay depicting a similar family member who has impacted them in similar ways depicted in the novel, Peresoplis, by Marjane Satrapi.
Persepolis Relationship Essay Assignment
There is one component to this assignment:
(1) Analytical Compare and Contrast Essay: This is a compare and contrast essay and should be written in an analytical format.
Assignment: In this essay you will be reflecting on the experience of wearing the veil as a whole. The importance of this essay is to focus on the identity crisis Marjane Satrapi under went in her novel in comparison to the relationship she carries with members in her family. Feel free to pull evidence, and direct quotes from your experience in order to support your claim.
Fine Print: This is an essay, and so, should conform to basic style and format conventions, such as 12 point book fonts, 1’’ margins, double-spacing, no additional spaces between paragraphs and so on. Paragraphs should develop one clear idea. Paragraphs should be linked by thematic transitions and connections. The essay should have a refined and unified central arc. There should be an introduction and a conclusion. If you are at all confused as to the basics of such conventions, consult a style manual.
However, this is also a reflection essay, and as such you should use “I” when appropriate, and are required to draw on your own experience.
*Fine print taken from ENG 210 Dr. Cohen Micro-Essay Rubrics.
Here is a fun ice breaker activity to engage the characters of Satrapi's novel, Persepolis.
V W L H A C F K O Y N A Q F F
Q X G C K A Q G L G M V T P S
J T D A R K D S Q L H E M O L
T Q X H Z A Z R C B I F V T V
I E S B X R G S F R J C B I X
I A H V Y L S D D Y Z V Y H B
K X I P I S L A M H Z T R D D
F K P B O D O G W O V H R X Z
J Z T N C R Z D J S B M S Q Q
D X Y D I N P B R I J S K I S
S E T R A C S E D E N E R M H
A N K G D L D S A H Z M M E O
J Z I M H L U W Z V C A P T F
H W H I M S U G Y W R T I A C
H J U M U F O U G X U E Z F Z
ASHRAF, FATEMI, GOD,
ISLAM, KARL MARX,
PROPHET, RENEDESCARTES, REZAI
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