Persepolis Analysis Questions

Chapters 2 & 3: “The Bicycle” & “The Water Cell”

Directions: After reading and annotating each chapter, complete the two analysis questions
below. Your main objective is to display a broad, yet deep understanding of the chapter as a
whole, while accurately analyzing the specific authorial choices Satrapi makes to convey these
ideas to her audience. Each response should be at least 3-4 sentences.

Chapter 2: “The Bicycle”

Theme or Global Issue:

In her graphic novel, Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi conveys that the absence of balance and equity
leads to the destruction of a country.

Insert picture of passage(s):

Explain how the passage(s) support the theme or global issue:

Through the first panel, Marjane illustrates that because the faces/figures are all looking in
various ways, they are incapable of thoroughly riding the bike. The bike is a symbol of how one
must all work together in order for it to ride smoothly. Similarly, at the end of the chapter,
Marjane is pictured wanting to help demonstrate on the street, but her parents won’t allow
because it is dangerous. Although Marjane is young, she demonstrates that everyone must
perform collectively to result in their desired outcome.

Authorial Choice #1 & Explanation:

Marjay chooses to utilize the various soldiers beating the citizens as the midground and graphic
weight in order to demonstrate the dominance one has, which ultimately concludes the inequality
between them. The inequality correlates to her idea that all must be balanced in order for
everything to function, but since they are illustrated as more powerful, they aren’t going to find
the appropriate solutions.
Authorial Choice #2 & Explanation:
Through the two panels of Karl Marx and Rene Descartes, Marjay portrays the difference
between various ideologies and how they continuously cause conflict. Marjay utilizes action to
action, as well as an emanata, which connects to the idea that regardless of numerous opinions,
thoughts, and ideas, everyone must attempt to find a way to join together when there are
dilemmas in order to proceed to their solution.

Authorial Choice #3 & Explanation:

Marjay utilizes the symbolism and foreground of The Rex Cinema to represent the countless
individuals that must conceal their true thoughts in order to comply with the rest of the world.
Marjay describes that the doors had been locked from outside, which symbolizes how one locks
their own thoughts and opinions inside their mind. Through this panel, Marjay reveals that many
dictators, commanders, etc have dominance because they were forced to obscure their genuine
thoughts, creating an imbalance.
____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 3: “The Water Cell”

Theme or Global Issue: In Marjane’s chapter, The Water Cell, she demonstrates how the
government, along with parents, continuously dominate and influence children from an early age
into believing that they are the appropriate and factual individuals to follow.

Insert picture of passage(s):

Explain how the passage(s) support the theme or global issue:

Through the passage, Marjane illustrates how her father questions what the school has taught her
and instead, he begins to educate her on their own beliefs. This depiction represents how children
are often forced into believing what their superior tells them instead of having. This also
connects to the idea of the lack of individuality between numerous people. Children are
implemented with the beliefs that they must follow what their elders reveal to them.

Authorial Choice #1 & Explanation: Through the first panel, the two men begin by being in the
midground, but in the second panel, they are seen in the foreground. Marjane implements these
techniques in order to correlate it to her idea about influence and how simple it is. Similar to how
easily children are influenced by their elders, the icon on the left is depicted as vulnerable. The
icon on the right is seen as the dominant one, teaching the man that he has nothing to worry
about because he will take care of the rest. This correlates to how Marjane was influenced by her
father, by revealing that what her teacher and bible was incorrect, and expressing that what he
spoke was the truth.

Authorial Choice #2 & Explanation: Marjane’s utilization of graphic weight and symbolism of
Shah portray the control a person has over another. Since Marjane’s grandfather was named the
Prime Minister and met “intellectuals” he felt as if he needed to pursue their ideologies. Through
the panels that have graphic weight, Marjane’s grandfather is seen as attentive with everything
they say. After, he is seen as changing into a communist, which connects to the other directors
and how they were able to influence them.
Authorial Choice #3 & Explanation: After hearing her grandfather’s story, Marjane views herself
as drenched and wrinkly, just like her grandfather. Marjane utilizes graphic weight in order to
illustrate how Marjane came to the realization how quickly she was influenced by the story. This
also correlates to the symbol of marjane realizing the true state of the world. Marjane is the
foreground, along with illustrating that she is in a dark shadow, connecting to how she feels.