Persepolis Analysis Questions

Chapter 4: “Persepolis”

Directions: After reading and annotating the chapter, please answer each of the following
questions in at least 3-4 sentences.

1. Explain how the panel at the bottom of page 27 is both symbolic and ironic:
On page 27 a king has his hands spread towards the sky promising to bring prosperity to Iran. It
symbolizes his power and his divine right as king as he’s literally in the sky and close to the
heavens. While he gives this powerful impression it still falls short of his promise to the country
as his son will bring on the revolution through their oppressive rule.

2. Analyze the bottom half of page 29 and its unusual illustrative technique. How is it different
from any illustrations we’ve been shown thus far and what is the author’s purpose in presenting
the graphic and correlating ideas in this way?
It isn’t the same as the previous clean cut panels that serve as a continuation of the storyline.
Satrapi decides to use the bottom of this panel to show the photographs that her father took
during the revolution. She makes a collage of panels overlapping each other to create the illusion
of a pile of photographs to display the chaotic and dangerous conflicts that are happening in the
streets.

3. Discuss the reaction of the widow towards the end of the chapter, examining the irony of the
situation and what it displays about the Persian citizens being shown.
At first the widow at the end of the chapter is opposed to the mob of people making her husband
into a martyr. She ends up giving into their demonstration by joining them despite the protest
being under false pretenses and also is convinced that even if her husband didn’t die as a result of
the king he would still be considered a hero in order to fuel the people’s anger. This shows how
during this time in Iran people are very vulnerable to the anger and frustration of the revolution
especially when manipulating the death of others to further empower their side.

4. Analyze the author’s purpose in writing this chapter--what is she primarily displaying to the
reader? Use at least two quotes and/or graphic techniques for support.
She’s primarily showing in this chapter how the revolution and political unrest in Iran affects
people through the dangers they have to face daily. Satrapi also displays how this tumultuous
time makes people very vulnerable to their emotions which are often seen through the change of
eminata in the chapter as people shift from crying, to shouting and then to laughter on page
31-32. Satrapi has a hard time understanding this as a child which she reveals on page 32 when
she is confused on why her family would laugh about murder.
5. Discuss the significance of the chapter title using at least two quotes and/or graphic techniques
for support.
The chapter is titled Persepolis and alludes to the fall of the ancient Persian city. The icons seen
next to the chapter title bring back the history of Iran and show the ancient figures that used to
rule over the country. Then on page 28 Satrapi uses graphic weight to compare the soldiers in
present day Iran to the soldiers that would control Pesepolis. She uses these comparisons to show
how shifts in power have continually happened in their countries history which gives further
understanding to the revolution.