Persepolis

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the play over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Throughout the novel, Marjane’s personal faith collides with the revolution in Iran.

• How is Marjane’s personal faith different from the ideals espoused by the Revolution? (topic sentence)
• Find three examples in which her personal faith and the Revolution do not align.
• To conclude, discuss how her relationship with God changes or stays the same by the end of the novel.

2. Throughout the novel, Marjane is concerned with her father’s patriotism for Iran as well as his heroism as compared with her peers’ fathers.

• What type of actions does Marjane consider to be heroic? (topic sentence)
• Identify three examples in which Marjane is concerned with her father’s heroism.
• Conclude by discussing whether Marjane believes her father is a hero at the end of the novel and why or why not.

3. Marjane expresses her opposition to the Iranian government by participating in rebellious acts within the novel. 

• Why does Marjane participate in such rebellious acts? (topic sentence)
• Find three examples of rebellious acts that Marjane does in the novel.
• In conclusion, discuss how these actions affect her relationship with her family and friends.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider the author’s choice to convey her story with a graphic novel. How does the format of a graphic novel change the delivery of the material? How would the tone be different if it were a traditional novel? Do you think the novel would have been as popular or had the same social effect if it were not written in a graphic format? Why or why not?

2. In addition to conveying the political upheaval in Iran, this story also shares Marjane’s maturation from child to young adult. Discuss the ways in which the author illustrates her coming-of-age within the story. How does the political upheaval in Iran affect her maturation?