Persepolis

Sartrapi, M. (2004). Persepolis. NY: Pantheon.

Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel that depicts the life of author Marjane Satrapi’s childhood years in Iran during the Islamic revolution. Satrapi’s memoir is depicted in detailed comic illustrations. The daily life that Marjane experiences allows the reader to truly feel involved in the story. Marjane struggles with the meaning of wearing the veil that is obliged for all girls after the revolution. Marjane feels she can change the injustices she sees happening if she becomes a prophet. She learns about her family’s involvements in revolutions and their suffering. As Marjane grows older she discovers the reality of war when her neighbor’s daughter is killed. Responding to the injustice, Marjane becomes a fearless rebel, which her mother warns could cause her to be executed giving her the most demeaning execution given to rebels. In order to save Marjane, her family plans an escape sending her to Austria to attend French school. This book is rich in Iranian culture and customs. Educators can definitely find a vast amount of topics for students to conduct further research. Simply being able to get insight to another culture and compare it to ones own is a wonderful reason to read this book in a classroom setting. This book is recommended for the upper grades 11 and up. Students who can operate in the post-conventional level of social development will gain the most from reading this book. Marjane’s accounts of her childhood in Iran will inspire readers to want to learn more about world issues concerning war, laws and injustice.