Marjane's parents decide to send her abroad after she witnesses her friend Niloufar's tragic story. Niloufar tries to get a passport for her sick uncle but is arrested and disappears. This shows Marjane the difficulties women face in Iran's new theocratic state. The chapters on Western music and Jewish traditions highlight Marjane's curiosity and independence, qualities that concern her parents about her future in Iran. They hope sending her abroad will give her more freedom and opportunities.

1. Persepolis
Lesson 4: Women in Iran
L.O. Understanding why
Marjane’s parents
decide to send her
abroad

2. Starter: Marjane’ personality
• In pairs: write a descriptions of
Marjane’s personality as we see it at
the end of ‘The story of a Childhood’.
Include ideas on how she relates to
other people (family, teachers, friends,
authority figures). Offer examples to
back up your findings.
• Your final description should answer
the question: What does Marjane find
important in life?

3. • What happened & happens to Niloufar (Marji meets her briefly
when they try to get her sick uncle Taher a passport)?
• Why is her story important to Marjane’s development?
• What does the story of ‘the passport’ tell us about Iranian
society in the new theocratic state?
• How is Niloufar’s story connected to the decision to send
Marjane abroad?
• How do the ‘Kim Wilde’ & ‘The Shabbat’ chapters fit into all of
this?
The story of
Niloufar

4. Plenary: leaving
Use these images to explain
the emotions of some of the
characters when Marjane
leaves & comment on how
she has portrayed these
emotions (p. 151-153).