A graphic novel uses illustrations to tell a plot, just like a typical comic book. Although some graphic novels are intended purely for entertaining audiences, others illustrate historic events or discuss serious issues, such as Persepolis, written by Marjane Satrapi. The 4-book series depicts her…
Essays on Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
by Marjane Satrapi
Essay Examples
Essay Topics
Brief overview
Introduction Persepolis is a memoir written by Marjane Satrapi and is told through the perspective of Marji, the persona of Satrapi as a young girl. With increasing age, comes more with an increased amount of understanding of the actions of others. Marji was taught aspects…
Do you want to hear about Persepolis? Let’s start with the fact that the religious wars that have been going on in the Middle East have brought problems. There has been ongoing controversy regarding how the many Middle Eastern countries are governed and how government…
Why don’t some people like to read? That is because they don’t like looking at a wall of texts on each page. Having a book with hundred pages of text and words can cause some readers to not like reading. That is why many readers…
In today’s day-and-age, the world has developed into a society of economic strife, governmental issues, and conflicting communities. More often than not, these changes can impact many children across the globe. As children grow up, they begin to lose their innocence as they are exposed…
Persepolis the Movie vs. Persepolis the Book I, like many people my age these days, did not read enough when I was little. As a result, though my reading comprehension is good, my reading speed is below college-level standards. That’s why I enjoy comic books…
Gender Identity in The Complete Persepolis In Marjane Satrapi’s The Complete Persepolis, she expresses her own segregated young life in Iran and Austria. Her family opposed the government’s fundamentalism, and Marji was raised to be opinionated and questionable. Her experiences show readers how restricted and…
Persepolis is the Greek name (from perses polis for ‘Persian City’) for the ancient city of Parsa, located seventy miles northeast of Shiraz in present-day Iran. Persepolis is a graphic novel about a childhood of Marjane Satarapi. The story of Marjane’s childhood is based on…
Best topics on Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Date
Persepolis: 2000
Persepolis 2: 2004
Author
Marjane Satrapi
Type
Bande dessinée (French comic)
Genre
Memoir
Major Character
Marji
Based on
The author’s childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution
Symbols / Motives
War, revolution, feminism, religious extremism
Influence
The memoir has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. It has been translated to several languages, including English, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Chinese, and more.
Plot
In Persepolis 1, the author sees the Islamic Revolution in Iran through the eyes of her ten-year-old self. Marji, who comes from a family of the upper-middle class, has access to books that expose her to Western concepts and political thoughts. When the Iranian government reforms, Marji’s family is put in danger. Over two years of war, Marji has all kinds of experiences that pronounce her rebellious nature.
In Persepolis 2, Marji starts a new chapter of her life in a boarding house in Vienna.
Why Is This Topic Important?
The comic intertwines two crucial topics for today’s global society: freedom and feminism.
Main Ideas
We see how Marji grows from a rebellious young girl into a smart, self-conscious woman.
Key Quotes
“To each his own way of calming down.”
“You’ll meet a lot of jerks in life. If they hurt you, remember it’s because they’re stupid. Don’t react to their cruelty. There’s nothing worse than bitterness and revenge. Keep your dignity and be true to yourself.”
“I wanted to be justice, love and the wrath of god all in one.”
Interesting Facts
Critics and readers praised Persepolis as soon as the first volume was published. However, the comic is also surrounded with controversy, as well as censorships in the USA. The reasons for censorship include scenes of torture and inappropriate language.
Arguments For
It’s one of the most candid and creative memoirs ever written. Its format (a comic) makes it easy to read, but the topics it tackles are heartbreaking.
Arguments Against
Persepolis, although recommended to teenagers, may be “too much” for some. The graphic novel is raw and impressionable, and it has been censored in U.S. school districts due to images and language that are inappropriate for general use.
