=Persepolis Analysis Questions

Chapters 16 & 17: “The Passport” & “Kim Wilde”

Directions: After reading and annotating the chapters, please answer each of the following
questions in at least 3-4 thoughtful sentences.

Chapter 16: “The Passport”

1. Identify Satrapi’s perspective on the effects of war (yes, this could be considered a global
issue…) and discuss at least two quotes or authorial choices that she uses to convey this to her
reader.
Satrapi’s perspective upon the effects of war is highly negative as she displays the continuation
of power abuse being inflicted to pressure individuals into sharing beliefs, as well as the overall
toll being taken on the individuals as they are forced to live in fear due to these enforcers.
Individuals, such as Niloufar, are not even able to seek asylum in their own households as
enforcers “are looking all over for her because she is a communist” so Khosro “[let’s] her stay in
[his] basement” since that is “the only place she’s safe” (Satrapi 123). Places of security and
safety are no longer applicable to this circumstance because of the mere beliefs of some
individuals. She has to stay so far below the radar in order to keep her life because she is not free
being the person that she is, and even the individuals that attempt to help save a life such as hers
must live in constant fear just for showing mercy and compassion for another human being's life.
Furthermore, Niloufar ended up being spotted through a window of the house and was swiftly
“arrested -- and executed,” upon returning home “Khosro [finds] his house ransacked” and
decides to flee the country and “[seek] asylum with his brother in Sweden” (Satrapi 125). For the
sake of his own like Khosro must flee the entire country merely to not meet such a fate as his
guests although he was participating in a just act. The abuse of power is highly emphasized
through this specific chapter as all feelings of safety are no longer available to them as a result of
an unjust government.

2. Discuss the irony of the final panel and Satrapi’s correlating theme within the chapter. Use two
direct quotes in support of your response, other than the one provided in the final panel.
Satrapi’s utilization of irony is done to expose medical system flaws as medical assistance is not
evenly provided or handled the same way depending specifically on the individual who hopes to
receive it. The first instance in which this is seen is the mere fact that a window washer, a
completely unqualified individual, has been appointed as the “director of the hospital” and the
only assistance he is able to provide is the soothing thought that “if God wills it, [Marji’s uncle]
will get better” (Satrapi 121). Individuals such as the common citizen in this case are frequently
overlooked and pushed to the side as their individual battles are not as important as those who
have contributed more to society in the eye’s of those in power. The notion of irony is also
blatantly exhibited through the fact that his legal passport arrived the day of his death, even with
their attempt to pay “to [have the passport made] in five days” (Satrapi 124). This instance of
irony is used to show the urgency in which the government has to assist their citizens, further
enforcing the need to overthrow such a corrupt and unjust system.
Chapter 17: “Kim Wilde”

3. Investigate the significance of at least three allusions within the chapter and discuss their
relevance to the chapter’s main idea. This may take some research on your part...

A. Kim Wilde: She was an English pop singer who went on to win the “Best British female
Singer” award in the year 1983. She was also a television presenter. She wore a very
unique hairstyle and was especially well known in Britain specifically but also in Europe
overall. Her figure exhibits Marji’s idolization of the western culture, specifically
musically in this case, as well as how she is constantly fantasizing over acts of fame and
heroism drawing her to such an individual.

B. Iron Maiden: The Iron Maiden is a famous English heavy metal band that were distinctly
well known for their rebellious and intense nature. With this style of music being banned
from Iran Marji is able to portray how she thinks highly of western ideals and their way
of life. It also bring into view the fact that although Marji claims to be a very nationalistic
patriot of her country she is openly willing to rebel as well, although this could also just
be an attribution of her childish nature still.

C. “We’re the kids in America”: This was a song written by Kim Wilde connecting to the
fact that all Marji wishes is to be safe from the terrors of her own country and utilizes this
song as a way to find calm and peace in such chaos. She desires to be free from the
oppression of her country, also feeding off of the fact that she has watched so many of her
loved ones flee to safety and she still has yet to do so. This is a direct reference to the
irony of this situation as kids in America are free to be themselves yet, specifically young
women in Iran, must do exactly what they are told to do by their law and its enforcers.

4. Explore at least two examples of the regime’s abuse of power within the chapter and the
effects they have on the Iranian citizens:

A. The Guardians of the Revolution were a big testament to the regime's abuse of power as
these individuals were implemented strictly to enforce ideals of the regime. If one was
not adhering to the strict customs of the Islamic culture they would be punished and any
signs of rebellion would be put out harshly and swiftly creating less individuality in all
scenarios. With the achievement of converting every individual into a citizen who fit the
idea of a perfect citizen, everyone became just like the next person and acted just as the
next person just to avoid punishment and cruelty.

B. A distinct example of the regime's abuse of power would be the fact that Marji’s parents
were not even able to bring Marji back souvenirs without having to hide them in order to
get back into their own country. With the harsh regulation set by the Islamic Republic
nothing was able to be brought into the country as they believed that any outside ideas
should not be taken into account.Freedom is stripped from these individuals as they
cannot freely express themsselves and are still, in a way, held captive without even being
in Islam because they must find ways to share experiences with those unable to flee such
terrible cirrcumstances.