What is the setting of Persepolis by Marjane?
Setting of Persepolis. During the first volume of Persepolis, we see Marjane in Tehran and her experiences there. During the 1980s when this book is set, Iran was having the largest revolution in the country's history.
What is the theme of Persepolis?
Marjane Satrapi's 'Persepolis' is an autobiographical graphic novel about coming of age during a violent, tumultuous time in Iran. Review a summary of the novel's plot, then analyze its main themes. Updated: 10/10/2021 How would you tell your life story? Which events would be more important than others?
What is the key date in Persepolis?
As stated above, the key date in Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi is 1979, the date of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The novel itself navigates the transformation of Persia into the Islamic Republic of Iran. The title itself is particularly significant.
Is Persepolis an autobiography?
Persepolis is both an autobiography as well as a bildungsroman or coming-of-age tale. Satrapi begins her story with an Introduction including brief historical context about Iran and the events leading up to the revolution.
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What country does Persepolis take place?
IranPersepolis, whose magnificent ruins rest at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) in south-western Iran, is among the world's greatest archaeological sites.
Does Persepolis take place in Iran or Iraq?
Persepolis is the story of Iran during the Islamic revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. The graphic novel was written by Marjane Satrapi, covering her younger years in Iran.
What is the plot of Persepolis book?
Persepolis is set in Iran and follows a period of social and political tensions starting with the 1979 Iranian Revolution, to life under the new Islamic Republic, to the Iran-Iraq War. The 1979 Revolution aimed to overthrow the Shah, who aligned with America and attempted to modernise the country.
What is the main point of Persepolis?
Throughout Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, Persepolis, education is an important theme. The main messages are that education is essential for a person to have true freedom, but also that institutionalized education cannot always be trusted.
What time period is Persepolis set in?
The text is set between the years 1976 and 1994, detailing eighteen years of the author's life, and encompassing Iranian history from the past two millennia. It is set in the years surrounding 1979 Iranian Revolution, which Marjane Satrapi herself states "was normal, and it had to happen.
Is Persepolis based on a true story?
Unlike so many other comics-turned-movies, this one is not only true to the spirit of the original work, but the author is actually one of the filmmakers, because (also unlike so many other comics) this one is based on a true story: her story.
How old is Marji at the end of Persepolis?
The book ends with a 14-year-old Marji, palms pressed against the airport's dividing glass, her chador-framed face a mask of horror, looking back at her fainting mother and grieving father. “It would have been better to just go,” her older self concludes.
Why is it called Persepolis?
Definition. Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire from the reign of Darius I (the Great, r. 522-486 BCE) until its destruction in 330 BCE. Its name comes from the Greek Perses-polis (Persian City), but the Persians knew it as Parsa (City of the Persians).
Is Persepolis Banned in Iran?
In 2014 Persepolis was the second most challenged book on the American Library Association's list of frequently challenged books. The book and film is banned in Iran, and the film was temporarily banned in Lebanon, but the ban was rescinded due to public outrage.
Why did Marjane say she was French?
Her friends smoke a lot of hash, but Marjane only pretends to. She feels like she's betraying her parents, who sent her away to give her the freedom to be herself. When she tells someone she's French, she feels extra guilty for betraying her Iranian heritage.
Is freedom a theme in Persepolis?
In Persepolis, Satrapi highlights various topics such as clothing, politics, and music to explore the theme of freedom.
How does Persepolis end?
At the end of Persepolis, Marjane divorces her husband and returns to Europe. But she's not fleeing her life in a Lifetime Original Movie way (no crying in the shower here)—she's leaving to regain her freedoms. Moving back to Iran from Vienna has its positives and negatives.
Why did Iraq invade Iran in Persepolis?
In September 1980, the Sunni Muslim-dominated regime of Saddam Hussein in neighboring Iraq, invaded Iran in an attempt to take advantage of revolutionary chaos and destroy the revolution in its infancy.
Is Persepolis Banned in Iran?
In 2014 Persepolis was the second most challenged book on the American Library Association's list of frequently challenged books. The book and film is banned in Iran, and the film was temporarily banned in Lebanon, but the ban was rescinded due to public outrage.
How old is Persepolis in Iran?
Archaeological evidence shows that the earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC. André Godard, the French archaeologist who excavated Persepolis in the early 1930s, believed that it was Cyrus the Great who chose the site of Persepolis, but that it was Darius I who built the terrace and the palaces.
Where does Marji live in Persepolis?
Marji reaches out to her parents who arrange for her to move back and thus after living in Vienna for 4 years, she returns to Tehran. At the airport, she recognizes how different Iran is from Austria.
When was Persepolis published?
Originally published in four volumes between 2000 and 2003, Persepolis brings us into Marjane's world, from her tumultuous childhood growing up in Iran to her struggles to find herself in Europe to her difficult return home. Think about your life story.
What happened to Persepolis?
During this time, the Shah of Persia was overthrown and eventually replaced by an Islamist government. Many Iranians who had supported the Shah were exiled or left the country. Satrapi recounts her experience of the revolution, which includes bombings, stories of torture, and the violent deaths of family and friends.
What does Marji find out about her Uncle?
When her beloved Uncle Anoosh returns, Marji finds out that he had fought as a revolutionary and spent time in prison.
How old is Marjane in the book?
At the opening of the book, Marjane, or Marji, is ten years old. It's the year after the Iranian Revolution, and although her family has always been secular, Marji must wear a veil and attend a religious, girls-only school. She's imaginative, but doesn't really understand what's happening.
What happened to Reza and Marji?
During this period, Marji and Reza have several run-ins with the moral police, who have the authority to whip or fine them for being seen together out of wedlock. They marry, but their relationship is not a happy one and they decide to divorce. Marji's grandmother helps her through it, confiding that she had once been divorced herself.
What is Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel about?
Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel 'Persepolis' gives a visual account of a young woman coming of age in Iran. In this lesson, we'll go over the plot, characters, and major themes. Create an account.
What war was Satrapi in?
The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) also figures heavily into the plot as the years of fighting took a heavy toll on the country and its citizens, who endured bombings, shortages, and the deaths of thousands of soldiers. Satrapi's entire childhood is marked by these shattering political events. Coming of Age.
What is the story behind Persepolis?
Persepolis opens right after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which results in the downfall of the American-backed dictator known as the Shah of Iran and leads to the rise of the religious hardliners who establish the oppressive Islamic Republic. Marjane Satrapi describes how she used to attend a French co-educational and non-religious school, but how this is outlawed because the Islamic Republic distrusts and rallies against all Western influences. Further, the regime forces all women and girls to wear veils. Marjane’s parents, however, are modern and secular in outlook; though they supported the Revolution again the Shah, who was a despotic ruler, they are alarmed and dismayed at the fundamentalist turn of the new Islamic Republic. Forced to grow up quickly, Marjane begins to learn about the history of Iran and the many invaders and rulers it has had over its centuries’ long history. Her own grandfather was a Persian Prince who was often imprisoned and tortured under the rules of the Shah. She also begins to understand that different social classes exist, and that this is one root of much tension and suffering in the country.
Why did the Satrapis stay in Iran?
Download. Many of Marjane’s family and friends leave the country, but the Satrapis decide to stay in Iran for economic reasons. Soon after, Marjane’s mother gets harassed by men for not wearing her veil, and Marjane and her family go out on their last demonstration against the veil, which turns extremely violent.
Why is Marjane Satrapi outlawed?
Marjane Satrapi describes how she used to attend a French co-educational and non-religious school, but how this is outlawed because the Islamic Republic distrusts and rallies against all Western influences. Further, the regime forces all women and girls to wear veils.
Why does Marjane see this as a despicable lie?
Marjane and her family see this as a despicable lie, particularly because it is only told to poor people. During the War, the country’s policing of its people becomes more stringent, and the Satrapis' forbidden wine supply—as people still hold parties as an attempt at normalcy—nearly gets found out.
Is Marjane's father secular?
Marjane’s parents, however, are modern and secular in outlook; though they supported the Revolution again the Shah, who was a despotic ruler, they are alarmed and dismayed at the fundamentalist turn of the new Islamic Republic.
Does Marjane see Anoosh before his execution?
Anoosh gets arrested, and Marjane is allowed to see him just once before his execution. This is the point at which Marjane rejects God. Get the entire Persepolis LitChart as a printable PDF. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof.". -Graham S.
What is the story of Persepolis?
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi is a graphic memoir about Satrapi’s experiences growing up in Tehran, Iran before and after the revolution in 1979. Originally published in France to critical acclaim in four volumes between 2000-2003, it was translated into English in two volumes in 2003 and 2004. Named a New York Times Notable Book as well as a Time Magazine “Best Comix of the Year,” the book was a San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times bestseller. Characterized by Satrapi’s distinct black and white visual style and whimsical, rounded drawings depicting the violent events before and after the revolution, Persepolis and Persepolis 2 were also made into a critically acclaimed, animated movie in 2007. The book’s title refers to the ancient Persian city of Persepolis.
What is Persepolis the story of a childhood about?
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi is a graphic memoir about Satrapi’s experiences growing up in Tehran, Iran before and after the revolution in 1979. Originally published in France to critical acclaim in four volumes between 2000-2003, it was translated into English in two volumes in 2003 and 2004.
What is Satrapi's maid's name?
Despite the differences in social class, Satrapi befriends her maid, Mehri, and helps her write love letters to the boy next door in exchange for a day at the protests. But later that evening, they learn that these protests ended in a massacre.
Why did Satrapi's school close?
Her coed bilingual school closed and reopened because it was initially seen as a symbol of capitalism.
When was Persepolis 2 made?
Characterized by Satrapi’s distinct black and white visual style and whimsical, rounded drawings depicting the violent events before and after the revolution, Persepolis and Persepolis 2 were also made into a critically acclaimed, animated movie in 2007.
Who is Satrapi's uncle?
Satrapi meets her parents’ friends who had been imprisoned and tortured, as well as her Uncle Anoosh, all of who share stories of resistance. Uncle Anoosh tells her about the time he spent in Moscow, where he earned his PhD. Then he suddenly vanishes. Satrapi learns he has been imprisoned for espionage.
Who did Satrapi become fascinated by?
She becomes fascinated by socialist revolutionary icons like Che Guevara and Karl Marx and wishes to join her parents, who go to daily demonstrations. When Satrapi overhears that 400 civilians are killed in a movie theater, she pleads with her parents to let her join the protests, but they tell her it is too dangerous.
Where was Persepolis located?
Persepolis was situated in the mountains of Persia, which made it difficult to travel to. This strategic location kept the capital safe for nearly 200 years, until Alexander the Great, the infamous Greek ruler, overtook Persepolis in 330 BCE.
What is the theme of Persepolis?
This theme of reflecting on the greatness of the past of the nation and trying to preserve that even in the face of pressures to assimilate is central to the book.
What degree did Marjane Satrapi get?
They have a master's degree in religious studies from Western Kentucky University and a bachelor's degree in English literature and religious studies from Western Kentucky University. In this lesson, we'll discuss why Marjane Satrapi titled her graphic novel ''Persepolis.''. Even though she does not directly explain the significance ...
How did Satrapi become a part of the Islamic culture?
In the first part of the novel, Satrapi depicts how the Revolution forced Iranians to assimilate, or become a part of, the Islamic culture by wearing veils, receiving a religious education, and becoming more conservative in regard to gender roles.
What does the title Persepolis represent?
The title Persepolis represents the loss of a golden era for the characters and for the country. Lesson Summary.
Why is Persepolis important?
Satrapi's choice to title her book Persepolis is not just because it is set in Iran, which used to be called Persia, but because it helps her tell a story about culture and assimilation. Throughout the book, Marji, the protagonist, and Satrapi's portrayal of her young self, struggles with balancing the culture ...
Where did Marji move to during the Islamic Revolution?
During the Islamic Revolution—and even after—when Marji moves to Austria and becomes rebellious, we see her and her family struggle with maintaining their culture in the face of assimilation. This is not dissimilar to how Persians dealt with assimilation in the fourth century BCE when Alexander the Great conquered them.
Why do the Satrapi family refuse to leave Tehran?
The Jewish family next door to the Satrapi’s who gets killed by ballistic missiles. They refuse to leave Tehran because their family has lived in the city for 3000 years.
How did Marjane's uncle die?
Marjane’s Uncle, he dies from his fourth heart attack after being frightened by an exploded grenade. Before he dies, knowing of his ill-health, Marjane’s family tries to get him a fake passport through Khosro … read analysis of Taher
What does Marjane find comfort in?
God. As a child, Marjane finds much comfort in God, who becomes a friend as well as a source of support. However, as the world around Marjane becomes uglier and uglier, and as she comes… read analysis of God.
What advice does Marjane give to Marjane?
At the end of the novel she gives Marjane important advice about how to live and survive in a world with people who wish to cause other people suffering.
Why did Marjane's uncle flee to the USSR?
Marjane’s Uncle who fled to the USSR after Fereydoon is caught and executed for opposing the Shah. He returns to Iran to see his family but, though disguised, gets imprisoned. He becomes a role model… read analysis of Anoosh
Who is Marjane Satrapi?
Marjane Satrapi. Marjane is a strong-willed, sometimes confused protagonist who we follow from childhood to burgeoning adulthood over the course of Persepolis. The confusion stems from her valiant attempts at trying to understand the embattled and… read analysis of Marjane Satrapi.
Was Marjane a Persian prince?
He was a Persian Prince, and though at first Marjane gets excited by this fact, the truth of the matter is that he was often imprisoned and tortured for his communist beliefs.
