Persepolis Analysis Questions

Chapter 8: “Moscow” & Chapter 9: “The Sheep”

Directions: After reading and annotating both chapters, address ONE analysis question for
EACH chapter in a clear and concise paragraph, using at least two quotes and/or authorial
choices for support. Simply delete the prompt that you choose not to address.

Chapter 8: “Moscow”

If you have not done so already, read the short introduction at the beginning of the book and
annotate Satrapi’s primary reasons for writing the graphic novel. Then, after having read this
chapter, evaluate her level of success in completing at least one of those goals.

Strapi has definitely met her goals that she stated in the introduction which was to portray the
true culture of Iran and to not let those that died be forgotten. She wanted to write Persepolis as a
tribute to all the sacrifices that people made in order to attain freedom and so far she has
committed to her memories of those who died during the revolution. In this chapter a major
focus was on her uncle Anoosh who had previously fled Iran but returned when the Shah fled.
She recounts all his memories of the harsh separation from his family through the use of graphic
weight on page 55 and 56 when fleeing to the USSR to show how completely alone he was in
this dangerous time. While she was still quite young when she met her uncle she displayed her
memories of him and used eminata on page 54 to show how prideful she was that a family
member had sacrificed so much for the cause. Satrapi uses this style to glorify him and depict
him as a hero by giving him a glow of light comparable to a halo or an angel. Her ability to
ensure that his experience wasn’t forgotten shows how she was so far successful in keeping her
promises from the beginning of the novel.

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Chapter 9: “The Sheep”

Examine the title of the chapter and the underlying significance of a “flock of sheep.” Discuss
multiple examples within the chapter where individuals fulfill this symbolic meaning and then
elucidate Satrapi’s main point.

After the revolution Iran was still under an unstable and vulnerable government and as a result of
this unsureness many people started to flee. Satrapi depicts many people leaving including a
“good part of her family” who had also decided to “[leave] the country” like many others (64).
As more people left more and more followed giving significance to the chapter title “the sheep”.
Satrapi is trying to convey how in times of fear and uncertainty people tend to follow what others
do because it makes them feel the most safe. The chapter title also connects to how the dangers
at the time were also causing people to flee as seen with Laly’s family who were forced to “cross
the border hidden among a flock of sheep” (66). This gave a literal meaning to the chapter to
show how some were following others in their escape because their lives were in danger.