Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading content…
Loading…
Transcript

Persepolis: Chapter Analysis

Conclusion

The chapter expresses Marjane's desire for freedom from the oppressive Revolutionists. It provides insight as to who Marjane is as person, demonstrating both her strong and weak aspects when placed in oppressive situations.

  • The mention of a Black Market.
  • Content: "the black market on Gandhi Avenue"
  • the existence of a black market proves that not everybody is willing to participate in the Revolution
  • Form: the extreme long shot used as well as the larger panel contribute to the fact that Marjane is not alone in her rebellion
  • Many of the Iranians also disagree with the restrictions the government has placed on them
  • The panels are also very dark showing how hidden it must be yet the black is also a very bold and definitive colour showing the determination and the fearlessness required to take part in such activities
  • Marjane clearly identifies which parts of the Islamic lifestyle she refuses to follow and takes effort to emphasize it
  • Content: “I put my posters up in my room. I put on my 1983 Nikes on… and my denim jacket with the Michael Jackson button,”
  • The clear statements Marjane makes towards her rebellion show that she is proud of it. Also, the ellipsis identifies that there is more to come, meaning that Marjane is willing to rebel in more ways than just one.
  • Form: a series of scene to scene panel transitions highlight just how Marjane is rebelling, each demonstrating a different aspect.
  • She flails her hair proudly instead of confining it to her veil
  • The model posing which displays the assets of her feminine body contrast the expectations of Iranian women needing to be covered up
  • She supports the Western culture and wants the freedom to enjoy it

Rebellion

  • Results in new organizations with different ideals that support the Revolution
  • Content: arrest women who were improperly veiled, explain the duties of Muslim women (explained through the captions)
  • They do not explain their duty to Marjane, it is implied that everyone knows who they are
  • Roughly treating Marjane: “Lower your scarf, you little whore!”
  • The government gives certain oppressive groups and individuals rights to further its cause
  • Form: long shot used to show that they are surveilling people behind their backs (5th panel of page 132)
  • They look at all of the “blasphemous” pieces of her clothing, shown through action to action transitions and a held-frame sequence on page 133
  • Marjane is happy and unaware, secretly being observed
  • They are watching others in the background while proudly showing their beliefs on their car and pointing with angry faces
  • Later, when they confront her, she has a squiggly mouth to emphasize worry as they point at different parts of her outfit

Chapter 17: Kim Wilde

  • Getting caught by the supporters of the Islamic Revolution
  • Content: “to arrest women who were improperly veiled.”, “...taking you down to the committee.”
  • Form: an extreme long shot is used to highlight the Guardians of the Revolution watching Marjane in the background
  • “the full picture” shows that Marjane is not safe, there is always the risk of getting caught

Risk

This chapter focuses on how Iranians feel unsafe when they express dissent towards the Revolution. Marjane asks her parents for various Western gifts that were banned in Iran and upon their return, she proudly flaunts them on a trip to buy two tapes at the black market on Gandhi Avenue. However, Guardians of the Revolution discover her to be improperly dressed as a Muslim woman and thus have the right to arrest and detain her. Frightened, she attempts to lie her way out of the situation.

  • Forced to lie
  • Content: she knows that she can be arrested, so she feels the need to lie about what she’s wearing so that she can escape
  • “No, it’s Malcolm X, the leader of black Muslims in America.”
  • She “plays dumb” to get out of trouble
  • Form: close proximity of the speech balloons
  • “Don’t give me that! It’s Michael Jackson!” “Who? I don’t know him.”
  • Quick responses to prevent them from knowing that she’s lying

The Effects of Oppression

  • There is also fear involved when taking a risk and both Marjane and the vendors at the Black Market demonstrate this
  • Content: "Estevie Vonder”, “Jikael Mackson”
  • The vendors slightly change the names of the artists’ tapes that they are selling so that their activities will not be easily recognized
  • Form: while Marjane is confirming her deal with the Black Market vendor, both look left and right - characterized by the double heads, checking their surroundings

  • As with all risks one takes, there are two possible outcomes: one is successfully achieving it with no complications while the other is that of getting caught. The two heads the characters have are an indication to either outcome.

By: Stein Sothiratnam and Jessica Tanudjaja

Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi