DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE FILM PERSEPOLIS IN RELATION TO IDENTITY:
SOME SUGGESTIONS
1. What does it mean when one claims that one is Iranian (or Chinese)?
2. What are the ethical implications to be an Iranian?
3. What do you think is the meaning of being Iranian to Marjane Satrapi?
4. What do you think is the relationship between Marjane Satrapi’s ethical character (or moral
conduct) and the fact that she comes from Iran?
5. Marjane Satrapi’s grandmother told her: ‘Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.’
(Persepolis, Vol. 1, p.150; Vol. 2, p. 41.) And her mother told her: ‘Don’t forget who you are and
where you come from.’ (Persepolis, Vol. 1, p. 153.)
that one needs to be true to oneself?
What, in your opinion, does it mean to say
In what sense is it important not to forget where one comes
from?
6. What difference does it make to the ethical character (or moral identity) of Majane Satrapi when
she refused to acknowledge her Iranian origin?
Or is it the case that it makes little or no
difference?
7. If you have watched the whole film, would you say that Marjane Satrapi has finally found ‘herself’
or her true identity?
Do you think that an identity matters to human beings? Why or why not?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE FILM PERSEPOLIS IN RELATION TO IDENTITY:
SOME SUGGESTIONS
1. What does it mean when one claims that one is Iranian (or Chinese)?
2. What are the ethical implications to be an Iranian?
3. What do you think is the meaning of being Iranian to Marjane Satrapi?
4. What do you think is the relationship between Marjane Satrapi’s ethical character (or moral
conduct) and the fact that she comes from Iran?
5. Marjane Satrapi’s grandmother told her: ‘Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.’
(Persepolis, Vol. 1, p.150; Vol. 2, p. 41.) And her mother told her: ‘Don’t forget who you are and
where you come from.’ (Persepolis, Vol. 1, p. 153.)
that one needs to be true to oneself?
What, in your opinion, does it mean to say
In what sense is it important not to forget where one comes
from?
6. What difference does it make to the ethical character (or moral identity) of Majane Satrapi when
she refused to acknowledge her Iranian origin?
Or is it the case that it makes little or no
difference?
7. If you have watched the whole film, would you say that Marjane Satrapi has finally found ‘herself’
or her true identity?
Do you think that an identity matters to human beings? Why or why not?