Context and Intertextuality Persepolis General Information • Graphic Novel in two parts • Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood • Persepolis: The Story of a Return • Non-Fiction • Autobiographical • Originally written in French • Takes place in Iran / Austria during and after the Iranian Revolution • Book is often banned or at least contested in U.S. due to graphic nature Historical Context • Iranian Revolution • AKA Islamic Revolution • Jan. 1978 – Feb. 1979 • Began with protests against Shah (King) Mohammad Reza Pahlavi • Protests included both religious side (Islamists) and leftists (including some socialists) • Many expected leftist, even socialist, rule. Instead, Islamic theocracy was installed • Cultural and legal changes happened incredibly quickly, with little time for any sort of adjustment • Led to extreme Islamic state we know today Author • Marjane Satrapi • Born Nov. 22, 1969 in Imperialist Iran • Born to middle-class Iranian family • Family had leftist values and were politically active • Comic book artist and writer • Directed the movie adaptation of Persepolis • Film was banned in Iran Themes • Religion, Repression, and Modernity • Nationalism, Heroism, and Martyrdom • Violence, Forgiveness, and Justice • Children, War, and Growing Up • The Personal vs. the Political • Gender Intertextuality with 1984 • Both book relate to revolution that is supported by all, but does not turn out as the public expected • Both show extreme power wielded by government • Revision of history • Conflicts involving Individual vs Collective identity • Both give high importance to personal past • Both show disproportionately severe treatment of women Exit Ticket • Which themes from Persepolis can be relevant to your life? Choose one to elaborate on.
