Persepolis is a graphic novel about a young Iranian girl named Marjane. Marjane lives in Iran during the Iranian War in 1970. There are many themes throughout the first part, such as coming of age, identity, rebellion, family, and faith. The Veil is about how Marjane's identity was concealed by her veil from the War. The Bicycle is about Marjane's perspectives on revolution. The Water Cell is about Marjane learning about her Grandfather. Persepolis is about Marjane learning more about the War that is going on. The Letter is about Marjane and her Nanny/Maid becoming "sisters." Mehri fell in love with a neighbor, but could not pursue her love for him because of the social class she was born into. The Party is about the celebration of the end of the Shah's reign. The Heroes is about Marjane's family's friends being liberated from prison and talking about their torture. Moscow is about Marjane idolizing her uncle and thinking of him as a hero. The Sheep is about the former prisoners being executed, along with Marjane's idol, Anoosh. The first part ends with the start of the war, a bomb.
Persepolis is a story told by illustrations. I think the way this book is told has a great impact on the story.
Why do you think Marjane Satrapi chose to tell this story as a graphic novel and how does it impact the story?
I believe she chose to tell this story in the form of a graphic novel to emphasis her childish tone. The story is told from the viewpoint of a young girl; so having this is "comic book form" gives more insight into her young mind. We learn that she is a young, impressionable girl growing up in the time of the revolution. She believes almost everything she hears, whether it be from the tv news or from another child in her class.
ReplyDeleteI've also noticed something in the black and white coloring of the book. For one, it makes it seems concrete and more stark. Secondly, all of the light and happy moments in the book are shown with a white background. Darker and more horrific memories or events are shown with a black background. This subconsciously influences how we are supposed to feel while reading this.
I think she chose to write the story in form of a graphic novel because it better shows what she is trying to say. I agree with Mallory as well, the pictures give it a childish tone. The pictures in the novel, emphasis the meaning behind her words. It gives us a better picture instead of just giving us words. I feel like i understand better with the pictures that are given. It keeps me more interested and helps me know what the meaning of the book is.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the author chose to portray this story with pictures because it gives a tone of innocence and youth. The pictures enable readers to feel more of the emotions of the narrator as apposed to reading her words. The visualization helps us understand the time period that is taking place throughout this book. Theres this huge revolution occuring in the novel and readers are able to see what exactly is going on. I feel as though seeing the pictures help me be part of the Marjane's journey in this book. Her emotions and curiosity is depicted very well throughout the novel and helps me see how young and innocent she is towards what is going on.
ReplyDeleteIn this graphic novel, there are many themes such as forgiveness, the coming of age, and social classes. Marjane begins with loving God and trusting him, but after all she's been through she starts not believing in God; especially when her uncle is imprisoned again. She encounters many difficulties in her life which causes her to doubt the existence of God. Forgiveness is portrayed when Marjane's mom wants her to forgive the boy for looking up to his father for killing the communists. As a little girl, it's hard for Marjane to understand everything that's going on. This novel is written with pictures because as a child, she sees everything through her senses. So far, this novel is actually really eye-catching and interesting to read. It reflects on how an actual child grows and changes throughout life.
ReplyDeleteThe form of this novel emphasizes Marjane's coming of age because we are able to see her thought process as she learns more about death and torture. We are able to understand her experiences more clearly through this form. The pictures are drawn in the style of Persian mosaics but are in black and white which reveals information about the history of the Persian empire while also evoking feelings of depression and horror.
ReplyDeleteI think that having the book as a graphic novel gives the reader a better understanding of how Marjane thinks and how she visualizes different situations. Although the images are a bit childish, it gives a great deal of meaning to the novel. Even though many of these images are unrealistic and over exaggerated, they still give you something to look at to better picture what life was like during this time period. As previously mentioned, the novel is in black and white to emphasize the darkness of the time period in which this book takes place in. I feel that the funny dialogue and images presented in the novel makes the book very interesting and enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteAs basically everyone else has stated, I believe the reason its written in this form is because it gives the reader a better understanding of what's going on, and it makes it easier to follow. I also feel like the pictures help set the scene and allow the reader to feel like they are going through these experiences. This format is not like one that I have ever seen, but it is a nice change from the normal style. Not only do the images help set the scene, but they allow the author to tell the story in the style of a young person, as she was when she went through these experiences.
ReplyDeleteBy using the format of a graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi shows physical images of the events while also displaying how she interpretted them as a child. As you mentioned about all the symbols, like the veil and the bicycle, it's easier to see the tone than actually reading it. Comparing Persepolis to Mango Street, it was a little hard to see where Esperanza was going with her story. The short chapters turned the story left and right. With Persepolis, The individual frames act like fragments Esperanza used but with visuals, it's easier to see. The bicycle chapter depicts her thought on how the revolution was. By drawing all the people on the bicycle, it potrays the kiddish point of view of the revolution; a bunch of people all riding the same bicycle.
ReplyDeleteMarjane tries to make sense of the revolution from the beginning. Being a ten-year-old girl, understanding the world around you does not come easily. She doesn't start becoming interested in the truth until after she couldn't make sense of things anymore, "Cadaver, cancer, death, murderer, laughter?" (page 32). Marjane begins her first true loss of innocence with one realization, "I realized then that I didn't know anything. I read all the books that I could" (page 32). Marjane exposes herself to the hardships of her history, country, and its people. "My favorite author was Ali Ashraf Darvishian... He told sad but true stories" (page 33). Marjane begins to understand the laws of social classes in her country and becomes emotionally affected by it, "But is it her fault that she was born where she was born???" (page 37). At one point or another, Marjane begins to let her emotions get the best of her.
ReplyDeleteMarjane tries to make sense of the revolution from the beginning. Being a ten-year-old girl, understanding the world around you does not come easily. She doesn't start becoming interested in the truth until after she couldn't make sense of things anymore, "Cadaver, cancer, death, murderer, laughter?" (page 32). Marjane begins her first true loss of innocence with one realization, "I realized then that I didn't know anything. I read all the books that I could" (page 32). Marjane exposes herself to the hardships of her history, country, and its people. "My favorite author was Ali Ashraf Darvishian... He told sad but true stories" (page 33). Marjane begins to understand the laws of social classes in her country and becomes emotionally affected by it, "But is it her fault that she was born where she was born???" (page 37). At one point or another, Marjane begins to let her emotions get the best of her.
ReplyDeleteFor one the graphic novel forces the reader to understand the text through the visual realm. It makes it easier to relate to the author and the point she is attempting to get across. Furthermore, the pictures are simple and large representing a child's understanding of the world. Also within the pictures there is only black and white. Also representing a child's understanding of the world, they don't completely understand everything including the fact of the grey area in life. Also the black and white is used to strip the color away from everything. This is important because a child is supposed to see the beauty and color in the world. The black and white is also used as a way of protesting the lack of freedom within the country at the time.
ReplyDeleteI believe this book is not written as a typical novel would be written mainly because it was written from memory. When writing from memory it can sometimes be hard to memorize every single detail and using pictures can help. However, the novel is also told from a child's point of view. Using the pictures is a lot better because it helps the reader understand what exactly Marjane is thinking. When reading a graphic novel it is also more enjoyable to read, and it is easier for the reader to follow her memories as a child.
ReplyDeleteWith the story being written as a graphic novel, we gain a better understanding of what she is going through. The pictures portray the story in a way that is comical and easier to understand than in an ordinary novel. The color of the pictures are all black and white to set the tone; black meaning dark and sadness, while white represents a happier tone.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what anyone says, having visual images as part of the novel makes it so much better. Theres many things in the Iranian culture mentioned in the novel that we wouldn't understand unless we see an example right infront of us. Plus, images can give urtain details of emotion that words just cannot do.
ReplyDelete