“Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood”

Ch. 7 - 13 Guided Reading

Chapter 7-9 (pg. 47-71)

1) What crimes were Siamak and Mohsen convicted of? Would they be
considered crimes in the U.S.? Why or why not? (pg. 47)
Siamek was imprisoned ​writing subversive articles
Mohsen is imprisoned for almost 8 years for rebelling against the Shah.
No i don't think so because we have freedom of speech and normally allow
protesting

2) How was the U.S. involved in the treatment of political prisoners? (pg. 50)
The US was involved by torture the prisoners

3) How do the stories Siamak and Mohsen tell impact Marji? (pg. 53)
She starts creating different types of torture for fun

4) How does the story Anoosh tells about the Azerbaijan revolution fit into Iran’s history of
uprisings? What is it similar to the 1979 revolution? What seems different? (pg. 55)
I honestly dont know.

5) How have Marji’s interests/priorities changed throughout the story so far? What seems most
important to her now?
At first the only thing that matters to her is her religion. Now all she cares about is the
revolution.

6) Do you agree with Anoosh’s statement on page 62 that “In a country where half the
population is illiterate…[t]he only thing that can really unite them is nationalism or a religious
ethic…”? How does this seem to foreshadow what comes next in the revolution
I completely agree, because Nationalism and religion seems to hold us apart. I think it will mean
the revolution will stop because people care more about their country.
7) How has Marji’s faith changed? Why do you think this shift has occurred? (pg. 71)
At first god plays an important role in her life. As the story progresses she finds herself further
and further away from god.

8) Why is the chapter titled “The Sheep?”

The Sheep is related to a friend of Marji's family, and his family "cross the border hidden among
a flock of sheep".

Chapter 10-13 (pg. 72-102)

9) Why do they close the universities? How did ideas of the West influence this decision? (pg.
73)

10) Why is the veil made obligatory when in public? (pg. 74)
To maintain modesty and privacy from unrelated males

11) What iconography is Satrapi using here? What emotions/thoughts does it evoke in the
reader? (pg. 76)
she's using women's rights. It spurs up emotion about human rights
12) How did the war between Iran and Iraq start? (pg. 79)
Iraqi armed forces invaded western Iran along the countries' joint border

13) What does Marji’s father mean when he says “The real Islamic invasion has come from our
own government”? (pg. 81)
hes refering to the new regime.

14) Compare and contrast the comments in the panels on the next page to modern opinions and
rhetoric on refugees. Consider the recent Syrian refugee crisis in Europe. How is this similar?
How is it different? ​I dont think its similar at all and i think the times are different.
15) What do you believe the purpose of the rituals honoring those who died in war was? (pg. 96)
To get people to join the war by portraying it as noble and honorable

16) How did the government recruit new soldiers? (pg. 102)
By using political cartoons and advertising. And by portraying it as honorable

17) Why did Satrapi place these two panels side by side? What effect does this have on the
reader? (pg. 102) i​t provides a sense of order out of chaos