Introduction to the graphic novel (needs accompanying booklet I do not have the rights to)

2. Introduction

3.  In your file, organise:
 The answers to discussion questions that came up
in class.
 Any info you found about the novel / the author /
the context & the Persepolis booklet.
 Notes taken while reading, on: plot / character
development / your personal response / context
relevant information.
 Notes your took in class, during lectures, tasks
and discussions.

4.  Read the quote on the cover of the
booklet:
 Do you agree?
 How do you think this quote might be relevant
to her graphic novel (a memoir) about her life?
 What do you think she wants to show you with
her novel?
 Read the short biography on pp. 22 & the
summarised interview on p. 28 of the
reader and find out if you were right /
whether the quote is linked to her purpose
as a novelist.

5.  1979 Iranian Revolution – Out goes the Shah,
in comes the Ayatollah
 Repressive Iranian Measures - The Islamic
Republic is founded
 1980-1988 – The Iran/Iraq War
- Iraq greatly supported by powerful nations
(The West is heavily involved!)
 Read (and keep in mind while studying the
novel) the timeline on pp.17-18 of the booklet

7.  A Memoir?
 Written account of events based on personal
knowledge and / or written account of someone’s
life and experiences, usually focussed on a specific
aspect of that person’s life.
 Like an autobiography but it includes ‘the story of
Iran’ and is not just focussed on Marjane. An
autobiography is usually broader and more general
 Graphic novel?? Read pp. 3-9 to get a clearer idea
about the what and the how.
 Then read pp. 10-16 to familiarise yourself with the
correct terminology.

9.  Take graphic novels just as seriously as common novels 
don’t mistake the format for the content
 Sequence of images is needed to tell the story
 Various icons are used in graphic novels (as opposed to just
letters and numbers in common novels)
 Comic rely on closure (you bridge the gap) – you will need to
work harder for this text!
 These terms: voice over / splash, panel, border, gutter,
emanata, speech bubble, graphic weight, angle 
foreground, midground, background, panel transitions (time)
 Satrapi mainly uses moment to moment & action to action
transitions

10.  I. The characters: who, what, why & how
represented in the graphic novel?
 II. The plot: what happens and how is this
significant?
 III. The themes & message: what is she telling us,
how, why and where exactly?
 IV. The use of language in the text (think outside
the box with a graphic novel, use the booklet!)
Type of language used to get message across /
Language used to characterise / Language used to
create the setting & Effect of language used?