This document provides discussion questions and prompts for analyzing chapters from the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. It summarizes that Satrapi hoped to show that Iran and its people are complex and should not be defined by extremism, as she experienced Iran. It prompts analyzing how Satrapi portrays Iranians navigating rules on sex, marriage, and technology to enjoy life. It discusses how Satrapi offers messages of resistance and depicts Marjane's wedding to show domestic life in Iran contrary to outside views.

1. Persepolis, Lesson 12: Life
under Islamic rule
L.O.
Understanding
how the author
achieves her
goal.

2. Starter
• What did Marjane Satrapi hope to show us
with her novel?
• ‘… this old and great civilization has
been discussed mostly in connection with
fundamentalism, fanaticism, and terrorism.
As an Iranian who has lived more than half
of my life in Iran, I know this image is far
from the truth. This is why writing
Persepolis is important to me. I believe
that an entire nation should not be judged
by the wrongdoings of a few extremists.’
• Let’s find out how she managed to show us
this in ‘The Socks’, ‘The Wedding’ & ‘The
Satellite’

3. Voicing your opinion on sex
• Very often Satrapi uses voice over to give her full opinion on an issue. In
the following splash (p.305), Satrapi gives us a clear idea on how she
regards Iran’s stance on sex. Discuss this splash in your groups and talk
about: a) how specific these issues are to Iran (if they are…?) b) how she
manages to make it specific yet universal at the same time c) how this
incident would be regarded in your own culture.
• Be ready to share your ideas!

4. Rules revisited once again
• In the chapters ‘The Socks’, ‘The Wedding’ & ‘The Satellite’ we are once
again confronted with the rules and laws in the Islamic Republic of Iran and
with the ways Marjane and the people around her use to circumvent these
rules. By showing us this, she offers a picture of people like you and me,
who are not machines, have feelings, want to enjoy life and, like everyone
else, make the best of their lives whichever way they can.
• List all the rules we come across in these chapters and write down how the
Iranians get around them.

5. The effect of all these rules
• Satrapi offers her readers several strong messages on page 304 & page
325. These panels are among the clearest ones to prove why the
Iranian government was not happy with the publication of Persepolis
and banned the book (Check:
http://socialistworker.org/2013/03/26/banning-Persepolis for more on the novel’s
controversial reception). The (words in the) titles - socks and satellites -
are clear symbols of resistance.
• Write down the messages Satrapi offers in these panels in your own
words.

6. Marjane’s relationship
• Marjane and Reza decide to get
married… Why? What does she show
us about Iran with this wedding?
• Marjane’s father supports her decision
to get married, even though her
mother has doubts. Write down what
reasons either parent has for their
response.
• Do you understand this decision?
• Does the wedding help the author
reach her purpose?

7. Plenary
• Do you feel Satrapi manages to show us that the Iranian
people are just like you and me?
• Answer PEA, find good examples and try to get your evidence
from both her words and her images.