Persepolis Study Questions

Why were the men who come to Marjane's house imprisoned and tortured?

They were imprisoned and tortured because one of them wrote a subversive article and the other was a revolutionary. However, their major crime was being a communist.

Why does American pop culture have such an influence on Marjane and kids her age?

American pop culture had an influence on kids Marjane age because it was rebellious and better than what they had to wear.

Why do you think God stops visiting Marjane at the end of the chapter?

God stops visiting Marjane because she lost sight of what was important to her like becoming a prophet thus weakening her relationship with God.

Why does Anoosh request to see Marjane when he's in prison? How does Marjane react when she gets the news of his death?

He requests to see her because she is the girl he always wished to have. Marjane is devastated when she hears the news about his death and she blames God.

Why was Marjane's grandfather imprisoned? What effect did this have on his family?

Her grandfather was imprisoned because he was a communist. It was hard on his family because his wife was poor.

In the last frame of the chapter, Pardisse says she wishes her father "were alive and in jail rather than dead and a hero." Do you think you would feel the same way in her place?

I would definitely feel the same as I would never like to lose a family member as then you can never see them again while in jail you can still talk to them.

On the last page of the chapter (102), There are only two frames. Compare and contrast their images and their messages. (They look similar but show opposite experiences--what does this say about life and war?)

In the top, it is an image of young boys dying from the war. The bottom is picture of Marjane and her friends having fun at a party. This proves the different lives between kids in Iran at the time and while some are giving up their lives others are partying.

Why is it ironic that his passport finally arrives on the day of his funeral?

It's ironic because he can now finally leave with his passport and is free but he is already dead.

In this chapter, a family escapes Iran hidden among a flock of sheep -- but what does it mean when we say people act like a herd of sheep? When do the people in this chapter do that?

People acting like a herd of sheep just means that they do whatever they are told. People in this chapter do so by fleeing the country with everyone else.

How does people's behavior change in this chapter after the Shah steps down?

People had the biggest celebrations of their lives.

Do you think she succeeds in getting her message across to Marjane?

She does succeed because Marjane doesn't give up on forgiving him.

Describe Marjane's relationship with her parents and grandmother. How do they influence her and her relationship with the changing Iranian society?

She has a good relationship between herself and her parents and grandmother because they are also against the veil and support her protesting.

Why does Marjane idolize her uncle Anoosh so much? Do you think she is right to do so?

She idolizes her uncle because he's been to prison and he has great stories to tell. She isn't right to do so because she thinks that her own father isn't a hero and she shouldn't be disappointed in him for something like that.

Why must Marjane wear the veil? How do she and her classmates react?

She must wear the veil because it is required during the Islamic Revolution. Her classamtes dont understadn why they have to wear it.

Marjane is outspoken at all times--how does this hurt her, and what decision does it lead her parents to make?

She often disrespect adults and doesn't follow the rules. These things can get her into a lot of trouble and her parents don't want this so they send her to Austria.

What understanding does Marjane come to about the war? Why could it have been avoided?

She says that Iran is giving them fake news to make Iran look like its winning. This could have been avoided if Iran had negotiated a peace to start with.

Why does Marjane's mother stop her from terrorizing Ramin?

She stops him because she says it's not Ramin's fault that his father killed a lot of people so they don't have the right to do justice. She tells Marjane that she should forgive him.

What advice does Marjane's grandmother give her the night before she leaves? How do you think Marjane might use this advice once she is in Austria?

She tells Marjane that there will be a lot of jerks in her life and if they hurt her it's because they are stupid but she should never react with vengeance and always needs to stay true to herself. This advice can help her in Austria where she will meet a lot of people who don't accept her culture.

Why do you think Marjane thinks her father is unpatriotic for saying he won't fight in the war (81)? Do you think she is right?

She thinks that he should fight in the country if he is truly devoted to it. I don't think this is true as people can show their patriotism through other means.

What effect do their stories have on Marjane?

She turns them into games with her friends and then the absolute power makes her feel overwhelmed.

Why does Marjane want to be "the last prophet?" What would be the purpose of being "justice, love, and the wrath of God all in one?"

She wants to be the last prophet so she can make her own rules that will be good. The purpose of being justice, love and the wrath of God is to help her grandma, let her maid eat with them, and everyone should own their own car

In this chapter, adults seek to influence the younger population of Iran in different ways. How do Marjane and her schoolmates defy their teachers? And what is the significance of the "golden" key given to boys?

The defy their teachers by making fun of the torture rituals and misbehaving in class. They are all united. The significance of the golden key is that when a soldier dies, he can use it to get into heaven.

On page 10, young Marjane proclaims that "the revolution is like a bicycle. When the wheels don't turn, it falls." What does her drawing in the next frame suggest about this idea? How have her opinions of the Iranian revolution changed from when she was a child?

The drawing suggests that the people of Iran devoted themselves to the revolution. Before she was more religious but now she wants to be part of the revolution.

What changes do the new fundamentalist government make in Iran? How does Marjane's family react? How does Marjane react to the announcement that Iraq has invaded Iran? How is she dressed in the last frame of the chapter (79)?

The make women wear veils and cover themselves completely. Men aren't allowed to shave or wear short sleeved shirts. Marjane is dressed as a soldier because she wants to defend Dr country in the war.

What is so funny about the "martyr" scene outside the hospital? Why doesn't Marjane get it?

The man wasn't actually a martyr. He died of cancer. However, his widow still believes it is the kings fault so she starts to protest with the people. Marjane doesn't understand what is funny about the death of a man.

Why does Mehri's admiring neighbor reject her? Do you think Marjane's father did the right thing by ending the crush?

The neighbor rejected Mehri because she is a maid. He did do the right thing because once the neighbor would've found out she was a maid, he would have never broken the social classes that existed at the time to be with her.

What's the difference between what Marjane learns in school about the Shah's power and what her father tells her?

The schools says the Shah was chosen by God but instead her father says that God has no influence on the shah and the shah came to power by overthrowing the old emperor.

What effect does the war have on daily life in Tehran? How do people, including Marjane's parents, act differently

There is hardly any food in the supermarkets. It's effecting Marjane's parents because they have to take in another family and are becoming overwhelmed.

What is the purpose of a "nuptial chamber," and why are there so many of them in Tehran?

They are to honor the unmarried men who have died. There are vast numbers of them in Tehran because the war is caused lots of deaths.

Why are she and her family willing to take such risks to have tapes, posters, and jean jackets?

They are willing to take those risks so they can be happy and to make Marjane's life a little better amongst all the violence from the war.

How does the bombing on her street affect Marjane? Have you ever come home to a major crisis or disaster like she did? How did it change you?

They bombing on her street is the first instance where Marjane's family's life was put into jeopardy. She now feels the true fear of war as she does not want to lose anyone close to her.

Marjane's family enjoys having parties and drinking--what precautions do they take, and why do they continue despite the danger of being found out? Why do people seek to keep their regular routines even in dangerous times?

They cover up their windows so no one can see what goes on in their house. They want to keep their regular routine of having parties so they would go insane.

Why does Marjane's family decide to stay in Tehran, despite the constant threat of bombing?

They decide to stay because they don't think that Iraq could actually have missiles.

Why is the Iranian government so strict about letting people out of the country, even if they are gravely ill like uncle Taher?

They don't want a lot of people fleeing just because of the war