Essay 2

In this essay, you will make a connection between spaces important to the main
characters in Persepolis and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time
Indian and a space that is important to you.
Your essay should use information about at least one each of Marjanes,
Juniors, and your spaces to create an argument about how human
nature is influenced by the physical or emotional space we occupy.
Topics (pick one, or speak to me about creating another topic):
CHILDHOOD: Marjane and Junior both leave and then return to a space
representative of their childhoods. Identify such a space for both Marjane and
Junior and then compare your own childhood space with theirs. When you
returned to your childhood space, do you react in a similar manner to either of
the characters? Why do you think that is so? How did your childhood space
affect you?
TRANSITION: Identify a crucial space of transformation for both Marjane and
Junior. What about that space facilitated these characters transformations?
What space most influenced a change in you? How can a space act as a catalyst
for personal change? Note: change can be both positive or negative, or have
elements of both. Your argument should focus on how space affects us, not
make a value judgment about that effect.
SANCTUARY: Identify a physical or emotional space that acted as a sanctuary
for each character. What space is your sanctuary? Why are such spaces
important?
Format: MLA, Times New Roman, 12 pt font
Page Length: 4-6 pages.
Sources: Primary texts (Satrapi and Alexi) and at least one additional scholarly
source.