Background and Graphic

Novels

Iran background

Character of Marji

Marji’s Family

War and Conflict

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• What does the first number indicate when referring to a place in a graphic novel?

Ie. 22/6

• Page number

• Marjane Satrapi was born in what country?

IRAN

• What is the “gutter” in graphic novels?

• The space between the panels

• Define bildungsroman

• A “coming of age” novel where the protagonist grows.

• Define Epiphany

• A sudden realization about something profound.

• What is the leader of Iran called when the novel begins?

• Shah

• Why did the people of Iran want to overthrow their leader at the beginning of the Islamic Revolution?

• The shah’s regime was repressive and they were oil-backed and sympathized with the west (United States)

• What are some the changes that take place once the Shah is overthrown?

• Schools are no longer co-ed, the girls must wear veils

• What country invaded Iran after the revolution and why?

• Iraq because they wanted Iran’s oil and Iran was weak from the revolution

• Who won the war between Iran and the conflicting country?

• Iran

• What does Marji want to be when she grows up at the beginning of the novel?

• A prophet

• What does Marji learn about her grandfather?

• That he was a prince

• What political affilation does much of Marji’s family associate with?

• communism

• Why do Marji’s family decide to send her abroad?

• Her rebellious nature may get her into trouble in the religious Iran

• Why is Marji so fascinated with her Uncle Anoosh?

• Because he was in prison for 9 years. She sees him as a hero.

• Why were Siamek and Moshen (friends of the family) imprisoned during the Shah’s reign?

• Because one was a revolutionary and the other a journalist who opposed the Shah

• How does Marji’s relationship with God change after her Uncle dies?

• She does not want to know God anymore

• How does Marji feel about her father once the war begins with Iraq?

• She thinks he is weak and unpatriotic

• Why does Marji’s mother dye her hair and wear dark glasses for a period of time (beginning of novel)?

• Because a picture was taken of her at a demonstration

• What do Marji’s parents do when they are called to school following her misbehavior in school?

• Criticize the strict school and insult the teacher.

• Why is it ironic that the old man on the stretcher in the beginning of the novel was being hailed as a martyr?

• Because he died of cancer, not at a demonstration.

• Why does Marji stick nails between her fingers and march to attack Ramin?

• Because Ramin’s father used to work for the Shah.

• During the war, how do Marji and the other students misbehave at school?

• Make fun of martyrs and toilet paper the school.

• Why do the schools give young boys a plastic gold key?

• The key is to get them into heaven if they are killed in battle

• What happens to Marji’s Uncle Taher at the end of the chapter “The Passport”?

• He dies before receiving his passport