IB English HL Essay Detailed Outline:

Current RQ:"To what extent does western influence/propaganda transform Maryjane Satrapi's
viewpoint on religion throughout the book Persepolis?"

Thesis: Through Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi navigates the complexities of religion amidst
Western influence and propaganda, portraying transformations in her perspective through
personal experiences, societal changes, and global dynamics.

Introduction:
Introduce Persepolis and its significance in depicting Marjane Satrapi's life during and after the
Iranian Revolution.
Present the research question: "To what extent does Western influence/propaganda transform
Marjane Satrapi's viewpoint on religion throughout the book Persepolis?"

Body:

1. Personal Experiences:
Textual Evidence:

● Marjane's time in Vienna and her encountering different religious and cultural
norms pushed her separation from traditionalism and modernism:: "I wanted to
forget everything, to make my past disappear, but my unconscious caught up
with me."
● Illustrations and anecdotes depicting her struggles with identity and faith in a
Westernized environment: Satrapi's use of black and white illustrations to depict
the contrast between her Iranian roots and Western influences.

Point Form Notes (Microscope Skills):

● Satrapi's utilization of metaphors, such as her hair(veil, uncut, cut) and drugs, to
symbolize the clash between tradition and modernity.
● Satrapi's diction highlights the broadness of her experiences and emotions. With
many scenes having contrasting motifs.

Point Form Notes (Bird's Eye View Skills):

● Analyze Marjane's internal conflicts as she struggles with her Iranian heritage
against the backdrop of Westernization.
● Explore the role of personal anecdotes in shaping Marjane's evolving perspective
on religion, showing her struggles with identity and belonging.
 2. Societal Changes:

●
●

Textual Evidence:

● Depiction of societal norms and expectations across the revolution are influenced
by Western media and cultural imports. In the chapter of “The Sheep '' Satrapi is
exposed to the strong anti-religious leader sentiment held by Uncle Annosh and
begins to comprehend the silencing attempts by the Iranian government. Helping
to shape her individual perspective and beliefs.
 ● Marjane's observations of changing attitudes towards religion and its portrayal in
the media: Satrapi's use of newspaper clippings and television broadcasts to
underscore the shifting socio-political landscape
●

Point Form Notes (Microscope Skills):

● Satrapi's use of satire and irony to critique the hypocrisy of the regime and the
influence of Western ideals on Iranian society.
● Analysis of recurring motifs, such as the veil and the key, to symbolize the
suppression of individual freedoms and the quest for autonomy.

Point Form Notes (Bird's Eye View Skills):

● Evaluate the broader societal implications of Western influence on religious

discourse and cultural values in Iran, emphasizing the interconnectedness of
global forces and local realities.
● Examine Marjane's commentary on the discrepancies between tradition and
modernity, shaped by Western narratives, and its impact on societal norms and
gender dynamics.
3. Global Dynamics:
Textual Evidence:

● Marjane begins to question the continuous deaths of the Iranian Martyrs and
questions her mother if she really cares about the amount of deaths when she
responds: " Of course they mean something to me! But we are still living!" The
contrasting ideals, where Satrapi focuses more on the individual and her mother
focuses more on the global picture showing how the global dynamics are shifting
their ideals
● Marjane's reflections on the politicization of religion and its manipulation by
external powers: Satrapi's use of allegory and symbolism to depict the
geopolitical tensions underlying religious conflicts.

Point Form Notes (Microscope Skills):

● Satrapi's exploration of historical events, such as the Iran-Iraq War, through the
lens of personal narrative, highlighting the human cost of political strife and
ideological conflict.
● Analysis of visual motifs, such as the recurring image of the eye, to symbolize
surveillance and the pervasive influence of external forces on individual lives.

Point Form Notes (Bird's Eye View Skills):

● Evaluate the role of geopolitics in shaping Marjane's perception of religion and its
intersection with Western hegemony, emphasizing the interconnectedness of
local and global narratives.
● Examine the complexities of identity and belonging in a world influenced by
competing cultural narratives, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the
face of adversity.

Conclusion:
Summarize the key findings regarding the extent of Western influence and propaganda on
Marjane Satrapi's viewpoint on religion in Persepolis.
Reflect on the broader implications of the research question in understanding the complexities
of cultural exchange, identity formation, and religious discourse in a globalized world.