Persepolis

By: Ashley Cabrera, Anabel Ojeda, Brittany Pabon,

Johnathan Cohen,Trinity Santana
Aim: How can we analyze the chapter “The Jewels” in
Persepolis?

Do Now:
- Copy the word of the day/analyze the context clue and trigger
words used
- Look over the chapter “The Jewels”

Word of the Day:

Materialistic - (Adjective) Excessively concerned with material
possessions; money-oriented.
Example from Persepolis (PG. 90):
“My father wasn’t so fond of Mali’s husband. He thought he was too
materialistic. They did have a really nice house.”
 The chapter begins with two people fighting
Summary over rice at the supermarket. Marjane’s
mother attempts to break up the fight, but
does not succeed. The supermarket is
empty so Marjane and her mother leave.
Marjane and her family go to the gas station
to fill up a jerry can with gasoline but the
worker doesn’t fill it for them due to a gas
shortage. The worker says that Iraq bombed
a refinery in Abadan. Marjane’s family tries
to reach out to Mali, a friend who’s family
lives in Abadan, but cannot make contact.
Mali and her family show up unexpectedly
and come to live with Marjane and her
family. Mali and her family were humiliated
and ashamed by two women at the
supermarket.
Historical Context Background information
connecting to the chapter:

❖ Iranian Fundamentalist- A
person who believes in their
religion but very strictly and has
a very literal interpretation of it.
❖ In 1979 Iraq bombs the Iranians
oil refinery. It affects every social
class.
❖ Every town in Iran was targeted
by the bombs. Especially the
people farway from the
bombing.
Central Idea The central idea of “The Jewels”
is that difficult situations can
bring people together, but they
can also tear people apart.
One’s misfortune can make
them inconsiderate to the
misfortune of others.
 How does this connect to the central idea?

Evidence - Difficult situations can sometimes bring

people together: Marji’s mother and Mali
who haven’t seen each other in a while are
reunited at an unfortunate time.

- On the other hand, times of misfortune

could lead to separation. On page 93 it
shows how people of their own kind turn
on each other at desperate times. This also
shows the separation due to disagreement
between different conversations in this
chapter.
Literary Element Characterization: On page 92, we start to
see the way that one’s misfortune can make
them inconsiderate to the misfortune of
others. We analyze the way Marji acts at the
supermarket versus Mali’s children. Marji is
very mature and knows that they can only
buy and work with what is available however
Mali’s kids are greedy and just want to buy
everything when they can’t afford to.

Conflict (society): On page 93, Mali and

Marji’s mother realize that the refugees who
have descended from Tehran have caused
them to not have access to the foods they’ve
had before. We see that this event affected
all social classes because even Marji who is
high in social class has experienced poverty.
Questions Level 2: Analyze the difference
between Marji and Mali’s kids
when they go to the supermarket

Level 3: Why does Marji feel so

ashamed for herself at the end of
the chapter?

*Hint: page 93*