Kristin Martin

Dr. Collie
Honors World Literature
15 December 2015
Persepolis Midterm
1) Prompt One
In the novel Persepolis, written by Marjane Satrapi, history is the dominant theme that
made its appearance in each short story of the novel, as well as the novels main story as a
whole. The history that is incorporated with Persepolis is the beginning and current ruins of
the Islamic Revolution, also known as the Iranian Revolution. Not only was the main idea
and novel centered on the 1979 dispute between the society and the Islamic fundamentalists,
but specific events that occurred during this historical periods were referenced in the novel.
One of the most important events that occurred during this historical period that played a
very dominant role in the novel is the veil that was imposed for women to wear. This was one
of the most demonstrated act of the Islamic Revolution and drew much unwanted attention to
the regime. (History of Iran) This event also occurred in the novel and took an emotional turn
on Marji as she learned to live with the changes that the feud brought on. Not only does the
history of the Islamic Revolution and the veil influence the novel, but the regime and the
demonstrations that occurred influenced the way in which things happened in the novel. The
regime began with a leader, Shah, but was then exiled and replaced by Ayatollah Khomieni.
(History of Iran) When Khomieni converted Iran to a constitution with Islamic influence,
demonstrations, or riots, began. (History of Iran) These events, along with the Islamic
Revolution and veil, influenced the book by how their outcomes ended and made well
connections with events that transpired in the novel.
2) Prompt Two
When the Islamic Revolution occurred in the novel, many rights and lifestyles changed.
The most dominant change was the women and their rights they had each day in Iran. After
the regime created a government with Islamic influence, the women were put on restrictions
that included clothing and their personal life. In Persepolis, the readers see that women
become banished for not wearing correct clothing. As suggested, correct clothing in Iran
includes long pants, long shirt, closed toe shoes, and a veil that covers all of your hair.
(Satrapi) The womens right of wearing whichever clothing they wish demolished. Second,
the womens personal life, which included their love partner and the public affections shown
with him, was reduced and restricted. Just as Marji and her boyfriend were caught holding
hands, the public affection shown could get a women into much trouble. (Satrapi) The
Islamic faith brought both of the restrictions on the women and their rights because it is to
please their god, Allah.
3) Prompt Four

While although many armies search for extra bodies to fight in times of struggle and need,
letting children fight in a war, or commanding them to, leave the child, along with his/her
family, in distress. Children in Persepolis were carried away at the age of twelve to fight
during the Islamic war. Marji experienced this with many of her male friends and
encountered the situation at the airport. However, how does, or will, this affect the child? All
children deserve a childhood in which they can enjoy friends and education. But when the
child must go away to fight at the young age of a teenager, the childhood is forgotten and
maturity creeps in far too early. A society that allows the children and encourages them to
fight expresses a society in which follows strict laws and cares more about the military than
the wellbeing and stability of a child and his/her family. After Marjis friend Kal entered the
war, he was left with no extremities on the right side of his body. (Satrapi) This affected him
emotionally and physically, leaving him with pity and hardships such early on in life.
Children should not fight in war because of the risks it has on their mental and physical
health, along with their age and maturity.
4) Prompt Six
When Marji left her family for the first time to travel to Austria, her uncertainty to go
connected with leaving her parents. For Marji, leaving her parents was difficult because she
relied on them and really looked up to their ways, especially her grandmother. Marji also did
not want to be alone, without the guidance of her parents and family. Watching her mother
cry as Marji walked to her plane left her second guessing her trip. The uncertainty of how
things would be at home in Iran and if her family would be okay was a feeling that stayed
with her as she traveled. During her last encounter as she left for Europe, Marji had a
difficulty leaving her family because of the same reasons. Would they be alright? Marji also
felt guilty for leaving without them and not taking on the journey to a better place with her.
Marjis difficulty to leave her parents included the guilt and uncertainty of if her family
would be okay.
5) Prompt Seven
Satrapi, the author of the brilliant book, Persepolis, said the only thing I hope is that people
will read my book and see that this abstract thing, this Axis of Evil, is made up of individuals
with lives and hopes. This quote that she said is referencing how the Islamic Revolution, or
the Axis of Evil, contained so many lives who had so many hopes, yet they were contained.
As I read the novel Persepolis, I discovered all of the people who were affected by this
revolution, the axis of evil. For example, Marjis uncle, Aoosh, was killed trying to fight for
the right he had. Demonstrating killed innocent lives, such as the carnage filled
demonstration on Black Friday. These individuals could have saved the revolution,
discovered something new, or educated others on the affects the war had. Satrapi was
speaking relevantly when she said this quote because it was a statement of fact as I read the
book. My eyes opened to all of the ones lost or traumatized by the events of this revolution.
From Marji and her family, to the maid that served them, the revolution tarnished and stole
the hopes and dreams of the individuals of Iran.

6) Bibliography
History of Iran: Revolution of1979. History of Iran: Revoltuion of 1979. N.p., n.d.
Web. 14 Dec. 2015
Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. N.p., n.d. Print. 15 Dec. 2015

Kristin Martin
Dr. Collie
Honors World Literature
15 December 2015
Persepolis Research
1. Islamic / Iranian Revolution
a. Who? The Islamic Revolution was between Islamic
fundamentalists who wanted to change the modern world.
b. What? The Islamic Revolution was a revolution that occurred
when Islamic fundamentalists spoke up for a more theocratic move
to Allah.
c. When? Late 1979
d. Where? Iran
e. Why? The Islamic fundamentalists wanted to rid of the modern
world and incorporate Allah and the Islamic law/faith into the
society.
Source: Srife, Lea. Historical context Marjane Satrapi . N.p., 5 June 2011. Web. 8
Decmber. 2015.
2. Considerable Questions about the Revolution
a. The novel takes place in Iran during the Iranian (Islamic)
revolution.
b. The time period is late 1979 during Iranian (Islamic) Revolution.
c. The economic situation is poor because while the war is occurring,
rebuilding and providing is a hard task. Example- stores were not
stocked.
d. Politically, the region is under military stress and their leader lives
a more theocratic/ dictating style. This leaves the region politically
unstable because of the demonstrations and riots against the
government.
e. The levy people of this revolution are the regime (government),
which include Shah, and the groups are the Iranian society vs.
Islamic fundamentalists
f. The society and culture of the revolution can be described as an
erratic change. Each day during this revolution, the rules were set
more high. Punishment was large in the culture, as well as faith
and modesty, primarily to women.
Source: Iranian Revoltuion of 1978-79 Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 8 December. 2015
3. Before, During, and After the Revolution

a. Before- The region was furious with Shahs rule. Demonstrations

went against him and his style of ruling, therefore, he was exiled. A
man named Ayatollah Khomeini ruled and established a theocratic
republican rule.
b. During- The Iranian Revolution was began by campaigns that
suggested the Islamic faith as a way of life, rather than modern
world. This angered civilians and led to demonstrations and
protests. All was focused on the Shia sect if the Islamic rule.
c. After- Left much carnage by demonstrations. How did this affect
the families and society? The lost family members and the
wreckage of property.
Source: The Iranian Revolution The Iranian Revolution . N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.
4. History of Iran and the Revolution
a. Mohammad Reza Shah used a police system called the savak.
b. Shah vs. Ayotollah Khomeini
c. Khomeini established a constitution reflecting an Islamic
government.
d. Womens dress code was the largest demonstration act.
e. Iraq attacked Iran, which weakened Iran even more.
Source: History of Iran: Revolution of 1979. History of Iran: Revolution of 1979. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 14 December. 2015

Marjane Satrapis Persepolis

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Prompt One- Historical critics examine the social and intellectual; setting in
which the author wrote. They consider the politics and social movements
prevalent during the time period of the texts creation. They do so in order to
determine how literature under examination is both the product and the shaper of
society. Using your research, explain how history influenced the novel.
Prompt Two- What did the Islamic Revolution mean for womens rights? Use
specific details from the text to support your thoughts and answer the prompt.
Prompt Four- Should children fight a war? What does this say about a society if
they allow children to fight? Use specific detail from the text to support your
thoughts and answer the prompt.
Prompt Six- Describe what was so difficult for Marji about leaving her family?
Use specific detail from the text to support your thoughts and answer the prompt.
Prompt Seven- In an interview, Satrapi said, The only thing I hope is that people
will read my book and see that this abstract thing, this Axis of Evil, is made up of
individuals with lives and hopes.. What does she mean? Did you accomplish this
goal? Explain your thoughts and provide evidence form the novel.