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.
Marji has a very negative view on the war and the effects it has on her family and surrounding
community. She also doesn’t feel the need to respect the rules now enforced by the new regime
and when her mother warns her that she “could get arrested” for wearing nail polish and Marji
ignores this by stating she will “put [her] hands in her pockets” (119). This shows how she
doesn’t respect the piousness of the religious leaders in her country but she also doesn’t truly
understand the severity of these effects until later on. When she sees that the effects of the war
directly cause the loss of her uncle’s life she sees how deppressing their situation is and
understands that he not only died from a treatable health condition but he also “never got to see
his son” again despite it being his dying wish (125).

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.
In the final panel Satrapi shows how the effects of the war are causing unnecessary loss of
human life by valuing the war over the people. Her uncle had suffered three heart attacks from
stress of the war and had “only one wish” which was to “see [his] son again, one last time”
(124). Because of the war travel had been restricted in Iran and while very sick people could
eventually get a permit to travel, the process was very slow. Satrapi’s family tried to find a
counterfeit passport but unfortunately the man that agreed to do it “found his house ransacked”
and fled which is why he “never got to make the passport” (125). The day that her uncle's day
was when the government issued a passport finally arrived showing how his life had not been a
priority to the regime and despite their efforts it had been too late.

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. One allusion made was the reference to the band Iron Maiden which was a heavy metal
band popular in the 70’s. In this chapter Marji shows how despite the turmoil within her
own country kids are still living out their daily lives like normal. The band is strictly
 forbidden at this point in the war since it goes against the countries religious values but
kids like Marji continue to listen to them because they celebrate their music.

B. Michael Jackson is another allusion prevalent throughout the chapter showing the
popularity of western culture in Iran despite the Iranaian revolution and rejection of
western capitalism. It also demonstrates that even though the country is highly religious
and is also portrayed in a pious light people are still to music that is prohibited by the
restrictions. Satrapi is able to show how people in Iran are just like everybody else in the
world and are not the same as what the media perceives.

C. The song “Kids in America” which is written by Kim Wilde is shown in the chapter as a
song that Marji listens to repeatedly. While Marji lives in Iran and lives in a society that
opposes western views she still celebrates and participates in trends in western culture.
She even has a poster of Kim Wilde and poses like her showing how she wants to be like
her despite living in such a pious society.

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 regime has heavy restrictions on what people can actually bring into the country.
When Satrapi’s parents enter customs on their way back from Turkey they are questioned
on whether they have illegal items like playing cards or music. Her parents had brought
her back posters which were illegal under this regime and it caused her father to be
anxious when reentering the country making the process even more stressful since they
could be seriously punished if they were found out.

B. Marji is targeted at the end of the chapter by the Guardians of the Revolution who were
used to ensure women were properly dressed in public. Marji even states that they would
have the authority to take her away without any consent from her parents or even before
informing them. This encounter scars Marji and unfortunately shows her that she can’t
truly be herself in such a strict society.