Persepolis Prompt Handout Persepolis: The Identity Quest
Final Analytical Essay
Name: _____________________
Date: ______________________
The Central Question
Throughout the graphic memoir Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi navigates a world of revolution, war, and personal growth. How does Marji’s understanding of who she is and her place in the world change as a result of the events she experiences?
1. Choose Your Path
Select one of the following focus areas for your essay:
Option A: The Rebel
Focus on how Marji responds to authority and injustice to define her own character.
Option B: The Outsider
Focus on how Marji feels caught between Western culture and Iranian traditions.
Option C: The Witness
Focus on how the horrors of war and political change force Marji to grow up quickly.
2. Thesis Statement Builder
Use this formula to draft your main argument:
"In Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi uses the experience of _________________ (specific event/conflict) to show that Marji’s identity changes from _________________ to _________________, ultimately proving that she _________________ (conclusion about her place in the world)."
Requirements Checklist
At least 3 body paragraphs with specific evidence.
Analysis of at least 2 visual elements (art style, panels, or character design).
Direct quotes with page numbers.
Introduction with a clear thesis statement.
Conclusion that explains the "so what?" factor.
Essay Blueprint Organizer Essay Blueprint
Persepolis Identity Analysis
The Introduction
Hook (Grab the reader's attention):
Context (Title, Author, Genre, Brief Plot):
Thesis Statement (Your main argument):
Body Paragraph #1: Early Marji
Focus: Who was Marji at the beginning? What event started her change?
Evidence (Quote or Scene description):
Page #:
Analysis (What does this show about her?):
Body Paragraph #2: The Conflict
Focus: How did a specific event or response change her view of the world?
Evidence (Quote or Scene description):
Page #:
Analysis (Connection to Thesis):
Body Paragraph #3: The Realization
Focus: Marji's final state or a visual symbol that represents her growth.
Evidence (Focus on a visual panel):
Page #:
Visual Analysis (Artistic choices):
The Conclusion
Restate Thesis (In new words):
The "Big Idea" (Why does Marji's journey matter to us?):
Identity Essay Rubric Identity Essay Rubric
Persepolis Analytical Writing Assessment
Criteria Exceeds (4) Meets (3) Approaching (2) Needs Support (1) Thesis & Focus Clear, nuanced thesis that addresses identity, place in world, and response to events. Clear thesis that addresses identity and events. Maintains focus throughout. Thesis is present but broad. Focus drifts in some paragraphs. Missing thesis or does not address the prompt's core questions. Evidence & Context Strong use of direct quotes AND visual analysis. Context is seamlessly integrated. Uses relevant quotes and at least one visual element. Clear context provided. Uses some evidence but context is weak or quotes are "dropped" in. Little to no evidence or evidence is purely summary. Analysis Insightful connections between Marji's actions and her evolving sense of self. Explains how evidence supports the thesis. Moves beyond summary. Analysis is repetitive or stays on the surface level. Summary only. No explanation of what the evidence means. Organization Sophisticated transitions and logical flow. Professional intro and conclusion. Clear paragraph structure. Logical progression of ideas. Basic structure followed but transitions are clunky or missing. Disorganized. Lacks clear paragraphs or logical order. Conventions Flawless or near-flawless grammar and MLA citations. Formal tone. Very few errors. Proper citations used. Consistent academic tone. Several errors that occasionally distract from the message. Many errors that make reading difficult. No formal tone.
Strengths
Areas for Growth
Total Score: _____ / 20
Identity Quest Slides IDENTITY
Finding Marji
Navigating Persepolis
The Mission
How does Marji’s understanding of who she is and her place in the world change as a result of the events she experiences?
Identity
Who is she at her core? Rebel? Prophet? Outsider?
Place
Iran vs. Austria. Tradition vs. Modernity.
Response
How does she fight back? How does she survive?
Gathering Evidence
Textual Evidence
Direct quotes from dialogue or narration boxes.
"I was a real revolutionary." (p. 10)
Visual Evidence
Analysis of art style, panel size, and character positioning.
Ask yourself:
What is Marji's expression?
Is the panel dark or light? Why?
What is she wearing? (The Veil, Punk jacket, etc.)
Who is standing near her?
Building the Thesis
A strong thesis includes:
Event (The Revolution)
Identity Change (Childhood to Martyr)
The "So What" (Survival strategy)
"Marjane Satrapi shows that through the experience of _____, Marji transforms from _____ to _____, proving that her place in the world is _____."
Time to Blueprint
Grab your Graphic Organizer. We are going to map out Body Paragraph #1 together.
1. Hook
2. Thesis
3. Evidence
Evidence Vault Guide Evidence Vault
Teacher Guidance & Key Moments
Teacher Resource
This guide provides teachers with key textual and visual evidence from "Persepolis" to help scaffold student analysis of Marji's identity and personal growth.
Focus 1: Early Identity & Faith
Key Evidence (p. 6-9)
Marji as the "last prophet." She wants to fix social inequality (her maid doesn't eat with them) and physical pain (her grandmother's knees).
Visual Element:
The split panel on page 6 shows her identity divided between "the veil" (religion/tradition) and modern tools (education/science).
Focus 2: Rebellion & Culture
Key Evidence (p. 131-134)
Marji wearing the "Kim Wilde" poster and denim jacket. Her response to the Guardians of the Revolution when she is caught with Western items.
Visual Element:
The visual contrast of her "Punk is Not Ded" jacket against the dark, uniform chadors of the Guardians.
Focus 3: The Impact of Conflict
Key Evidence (p. 142)
The death of Neda Baba-Levy. Marji's realization that "nothing was the same." This is a turning point in her loss of innocence.
Visual Element:
The completely black panel representing the explosion and Marji's internal silence/darkness after seeing the bracelet in the rubble.
Differentiation Tips
For Visual Learners: Encourage students to use "sketch-noting" in their graphic organizers to draw the panel they are analyzing before writing about it.
For ELL Students: Provide a "Word Bank" of descriptive adjectives (e.g., rebellious, conflicted, observant, resilient) to help them describe Marji's identity.
For Advanced Learners: Challenge them to compare Satrapi's identity as a *child* in the story vs. her identity as the *adult* narrator looking back.
