Persepolis Flashcards
In the first chapter ‘The Veil’ how is gender inequality presented?
Due to the abolition of bilingual schools, Marjane is forced to switch to a single-language, single-gendered school. Marjane refers to the veil as a method of separating not just from the public and a woman’s body, but also between different groups and cultures. Despite enjoying the newly imposed education, her world became much smaller than she was.
What are some quotes that present Marjane’s disagreement with the new rules of the veil?
“We found ourselves veiled and separated from our friends” (Page 4) - Marjane Satrapi
“I really didn’t know what to think about the veil. Deep down I was very religious but as a family, we were very modern and Avant grade” - The veil
How does Marjane Satrapi present ideas of religious repression?
- How the figure of god is seen less when Marjane becomes older.
- Through Marjane and her friends making fun of the beating ritual, the religious and nationalist devotion on display in the novel is painted as childish; more childish than the children forced to do them.
- Marjane repeats what she learned in school. She is too young to understand that her education is controlled by the government. Her belief that the King of Iran was chosen by God is indicative of her fierce loyalty, even at a very young age.
- When she goes out with her friends, going to smoke cigars and eats hamburgers, this shows the rebellion stage of her life, and it is targeted towards her mother. Her rebellion phase is caused by the aftermath of the war.
How does the aftermath of the war affect Marjane’s sense of self?
She starts to smoke, and rebel against her mother. Although her parents would call themselves modern. She also ate a hamburger which in her religion is not allowed.
How does the chapter ‘The letter’ present ideas of social economic discrimination?
The letter demonstrates social-economic power because the maid is not in a socially higher power. In this chapter, Marjane realizes that she lives a more comfortable life, and she feels shame and sympathy towards them.
How does the chapter ‘The key’ present ideas of social economic discrimination?
social economics was demonstrated in the key, because the goverment ask poor kids to go to war, knowing that they were gullible, and had a lack of education. status was demonstrated due to how it was important because of the use of government control, and how it is unethical for the government to torture and blind young kids.
In the chapter ‘The Water cell’ how is social economic standing in society illustrated?
Marjane’s grandmother explains the sociopolitical situation that led to the revolution. The Shah had spent all of the government’s money on frivolous celebrations of the state. Meanwhile, Iranian citizens were dealt an injustice, as they were living in desperate poverty.
In which chapter/s does ‘Persepolis’ convey power abuse through the use of propaganda and glorification of war?
In ‘The Cigarette’ as the war between Iran and Iraq goes on, the government controls the news so it is difficult to know what is true and what the government says to save face. The quote “To die a martyr is to inject blood into the veins of society” directly illustrates one of the slogans used as propaganda that glorifies those who die in war.
How does religion affect Marjane growing up?
Religion defines Marji’s early years as she views herself as a prophet, sent by God to preach love and justice. As she matures and sees the social injustices of her country, she loses this belief. Religion is also important for the role it plays in the Revolution, as the corrupt Islamic regime rises to power, and further limits citizens’ rights.
Provide an example of how ‘Persepolis’ conveys the theme of inequality between men and women.
The use of the veil and the way it limits women helps to depict this theme. The importance of women’s education is also shown, through Marji’s mother’s character, and how Marji’s school affects her understanding of the world.
In what ways does tension between the past and present lead to conflict?
Firstly, her image of herself as a prophet, after learning about past prophets shows this theme affects her identity. Secondly, the conflicts between the Persians and the Arabs, seen again in the Iran/Iraq War shows this theme affecting the entire country, as well as Marji.
Provide an example of how ideas of social-economic standing are portrayed in ‘Persepolis’
The idea is most explicitly stated in the chapter in which Marji tries to help her maid, Mehri, start a relationship with a man of a higher social class, but she is rejected due to the extreme stratification of Iranian society.
In what ways does the recurring theme of war/revolution affect Marji and her identity?
In some instances, Marji tries to establish her independence by taking part in the revolution, and in others, she shows strong nationalism in response to the war, both of which impact her identity and growth.
How does ‘Persepolis explore the topic of education
Persepolis explores the theme of education not only as something necessary for young women to escape oppression but also as something that is sometimes untrustworthy.
How does the novel illustrate different ways of power abuse?
Persepolis illustrates the abuse of power through whether large or small-scale forms of oppression such as the revolutionary government imposing strict religious laws on the population or Marji herself, as a child, using her position as a “revolutionary” of the family to boss her younger relatives around.
In ‘The Veil’ why did Marjane claim she wanted to be a prophet?
She believes herself to be religious and to be the last prophet for multiple reasons because she felt that the world was not fair to the maid, her father and her grandmother.
In ‘The Veil’ what were the obligations faced by Marjane and her classmates?
The children had to wear veils without knowing what it symbolises and were separated from their other classmates who were male.
In ‘The Key’ what was the contrasting experiences that the boys and the girls faced?
Marjane and her friends at school had to mourn the war dead twice a day; they made the students mourn by beating their breasts. On the other side, the boys were encouraged to go the war and were given keys as a gateway to heaven if they were to go to war and die.
Why was ‘The Dowry’ a turning point in Marjane’s Life?
She had rebelled against her principal using her voice to express her opinions on politics. Once again, when she was put in her new school, she told of her religion teacher. Her mother was worried about what happened to the young girls they arrested. As it is against their law to kill a virgin, the guardian of the revolution marries her and takes her virginity before executing her. Her parents considering the person she is and the education she’s received sends her to Austria in hopes of her having a better life.
