Persepolis

Persepolis Reading Journal

Directions:

1. Choose THREE questions from EACH SECTION to answer on a separate Google doc in complete sentences. Questions will count as reading quizzes for each section.

2. Write out the number for each question you select.

3. For each answer, include evidence from the book to support your answer. Be sure to include the page number.

PART ONE: “The Veil”, “The Bicycle”, “The Water Cell”, “Persepolis”

1) Describe Marji’s relationship with God.

2) At the end of chapter two Marji says that God doesn’t come, why do you think that is? What does this reveal about her relationship with him?

3) In “The Water Cell” what does Marji learn about her Grandfather? How does this impact how she views herself?

4) Based on what you have read, how does the torture of her father impact Marji’s mother’s attitude toward the government?

5) In “Persepolis” Marji’s father takes photographs even though it is forbidden, what does this reveal about his character? Why do you think photographing what is taking place is forbidden?

6) As a young girl Marji is watching her parents protest the government, and learns about how the government has treated her grandfather. How is this affecting her identity and how she views the world?

7) The government has forced all women and girls to wear the veil, burned down a theater and lied about it and forbids the photography of what is taking place. How do you think this is impacting Marji’s identity and how she views the world?

Question #

Your response:

PART TWO: “The Letter”, “The Party”, “Moscow pgs 33-62 (“The Heroes” is OPTIONAL, you are not required to read it.)

8) Describe the relationship between Marji and Mehri, the family maid. Give an example from the chapter to support your answer.

9) Why do you think Marji is so uncomfortable with the class system in Iran?

10) What does the neighbor boy’s reaction to learning Mehri’s social class reveal about social classes in Iran?

11) In “The Party” things start to change in Marji’s school and with their neighbors. Describe these changes. What do they reveal about the new government?

12) In “Moscow” Marji learns about her Uncle Anoosh. Why is he wanted by the government? Why is Marji so proud of having him in the family?

Question #

Your response:

PART THREE: “The Sheep” pg 62-71

13) As things are getting progressively worse in Iran, how does Uncle Anoosh respond?

14) How does Marji react to Uncle Anoosh’s death?

15) How does Marji’s reaction to the death of Uncle Anoosh impact her sense of identity?

Question #

Your response:

PART FOUR: “The Jewels”, “The Key”, “The Wine”

16) Explain the final image on page 93, why does Marji feel ashamed for herself? Cite a specific example from the chapter to support your position.

17) Explain the contrast between the two images on page 102. What separates the kids in the top image from those in the bottom image? What does this reveal about life in Iran?

18) In question #17 you described the contrast between the kids in the top picture and those in the bottom. What similar contrasts do you see in the United States? What are some things that separate us?

19) How do the actions of her aunt on pg 107 affect Marji’s perception of motherhood?

Question #

Your response:

PART FIVE: “The Cigarette”, “The Passport” and “Kim Wilde”

20) How do the incidents on pgs 116-117 contribute to Marji’s identity?

21) What are some ways you have demonstrated your own independence in your life?

22) On page 117 Marji declares that she is a “grown up”. Do you agree? Why or why not?

23) Listen to the song “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde. What is it about this song that Marji relates to? Be specific and explain using examples from the novel to support your answer.

Here is a link to the lyrics “Kids in America” Lyrics

24) What is a song you relate to? What about the song do you connect with?

Question #

Your response:

PART SIX: “The Shabbat” and “The Dowry”

25) The final frame on page 142 is blacked out. What is the significance of this? Is this an effective way of communicating Marji’s emotions with the reader? Why or why not?

26) What prompts Mr. and Mrs. Satrapi to send Marji out of the country?

27) Marji’s father tells her, “Don’t ever forget who you are.” What does he mean? What about her identity does he want her to remember?

28) The final frame of the novel ends with Marji watching her parents, grieving, walking away from the airport. Why do you think Satrapi decided to end the novel this way? Is it an effective end to the book? Why or why not?

Question #

Your response: