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| Make those women nuns, put me in the middle, and it's 8th grade all over again. SLAAAAYYEERRRRR!! |
Persepolis
This book is a social studies teacher's dream. Satrapi includes all of the political, religious, and social intrigue of the 1979 Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War as she grows up around it. Not only do we get the complicated factors at play, but round characters whose beliefs and values are challenged by the tumult of the times. The story-telling flows so well as she transitions between night-time raids and sneaking cigarettes from her parents, meshes the deaths of loved ones with pulling pranks at school. The illustrations are grounded, but sell the emotion and intensity when needed. With just a few lines Satrapi conveys feelings that touch us deeply.A character study of young Marjane could take an entire semester. Where to start? Probably her rejection of religion and exploration of politics, which change with the winds of the revolution, from anti-government communism to seeming to support the republic, to resistance to the changes instituted after the Islamic rebels come to power, coupled with nationalistic fervor when comes the war with Iraq. Gosh, the second time in 1400 years the Arabs invaded! I don't want to know what wrath would rain down if I hid her iPod. (Side note: Satrapi gets 9,000 bonus points from me for liking Iron Maiden. Let's put on their first two albums, pound some brews, and up the irons.) Students could grapple with the idea of western culture portrayed as heathenism, the institution of traditional Islamic sumptuary laws and Marjane's reactions. They could examine her simultaneous life as a fun-loving girl and confused young activist. With Maiden as my witness, Marjane is one of the most compelling people in YA history, and can make teaching Middle East history and culture easy and fun. We may be outsiders, but Marjane Satrapi has given us a valuable vision of the cultural struggle in Iran that continue today. Guess what? It's funny, too.
Persepolis II: Electric Boogaloo
Student: I didn't like Persepolis. It was like a history book. I want to read about people my age who I can relate to. I don't know anything about war.
Me: So, you'd rather read about the internal struggles of someone who is trying to find independence, acceptance, and friends in a place where she feels desperately alone?
Student: Yeah!
Me: Here, read Persepolis 2.
Student: I hate you.
Me: :)
In this volume, instead of introducing outsiders to the inner workings of Iran during its most turbulent years, Marjane becomes the outsider and sets about to find her own identity during her schooling years in Austria, and in her return to post-war Iran. She writes this so well that even big, dumb, filthy boys (me) can identify with her awkward growth spurt, concerns about her looks, and futile quest to find romance, or at least someone to care about her, with bonus smooches. Marjane also chronicles the change she sees in Tehran upon her return, including, but not limited to, her relationships with family and friends. Throw in some blunt honesty about smoking, drug use, and salty language, and Marjane's account comes off as wholly authentic. This book works across the curriculum, and makes a great read all on its own; probably more general appeal than part one, and a great conversation-starter for examining the dynamic of relationships, many of which define who we are as people. A fine read.
Me: So, you'd rather read about the internal struggles of someone who is trying to find independence, acceptance, and friends in a place where she feels desperately alone?
Student: Yeah!
Me: Here, read Persepolis 2.
Student: I hate you.
Me: :)
In this volume, instead of introducing outsiders to the inner workings of Iran during its most turbulent years, Marjane becomes the outsider and sets about to find her own identity during her schooling years in Austria, and in her return to post-war Iran. She writes this so well that even big, dumb, filthy boys (me) can identify with her awkward growth spurt, concerns about her looks, and futile quest to find romance, or at least someone to care about her, with bonus smooches. Marjane also chronicles the change she sees in Tehran upon her return, including, but not limited to, her relationships with family and friends. Throw in some blunt honesty about smoking, drug use, and salty language, and Marjane's account comes off as wholly authentic. This book works across the curriculum, and makes a great read all on its own; probably more general appeal than part one, and a great conversation-starter for examining the dynamic of relationships, many of which define who we are as people. A fine read.
Boring Stuff
Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi
2004 Pantheon Books
Persepolis II
Marjane Satrapi
2005 Pantheon Books
Want more insight? Read an interview with Marjane about the Persepolis I & II.
Watch the dang film.
Thanks for introducing us to Persepolis and Persepolis II. They have received lots of positive reviews but it is good to hear about them from a teacher's point of view. Have you had any kids respond to them yet?
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