Rebel Smoke Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Persepolis: Chapter 15 — The Cigarette
Lesson Duration: 45 Mins
Lesson Overview
In this chapter, Marji's personal defiance is juxtaposed against the Iranian government's refusal of peace with Iraq. This lesson uses the "Front Lines of Revolution" framing to help students see how Satrapi connects domestic authority with state oppression, culminating in Marji's symbolic transition to adulthood.
Aligned Standards
8.W.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas through selection and analysis.
8.RL.6: Analyze how differences in character/reader perspectives create effects like suspense or irony (e.g., Marji's "war" vs. the actual war).
8.RL.9: Analyze how a modern work draws on themes from myths or traditional stories (The Rite of Passage).
Recommended Pacing
00-05
Warm Up: Defining Rebellion
Students reflect on "Kansas" (the burger run) vs. personal rules they've broken.
05-15
Guided Reading
Read pp. 111-117. Focus on the shift from the "hip" burger joint to the "gory" basement reality of war.
15-30
Activity: Front Lines of Revolution
The "Interesting" Activity: Students compare the "Kitchen Front" (Mother) and the "National Front" (Regime).
Ask: Why does Marji use the specific phrase "Guardian of the Revolution" for her mother? How does that change our view of the argument?
30-42
Analytical Writing
Writing about the "Rite of Passage" cigarette. Ensure students reference the "1 million dead" to ground their analysis in the chapter's stakes.
42-45
Cool Down
"Does rebellion require a victim?"
Key Discussion Questions
Look at page 113. How does the Mother's perspective differ from Marji's? Is the Mother a "dictator," or is she a "survivor"? (RL.6)
Analyze the slogan: "To die a martyr is to inject blood into the veins of society." Compare this to Marji's line: "With this first cigarette, I kissed my childhood goodbye." How do both represent a "sacrifice" for a cause?
Why does the regime *need* the war to survive (p. 116)? Does Marji's mother *need* her rules to keep Marji safe?
Rebel Smoke Worksheet Front Lines
Persepolis: The Cigarette
Name:
Date:
01 The "Kansas" Factor
On p. 111, Marji skips class to go to a burger joint during a bombing siren. Why do you think she describes this as her "second time" breaking the rules? What makes this specific act "adult" to her?
02 Front Lines of Revolution
Marji calls her mother the "Guardian of the Revolution of this house" (p. 113). Fill in the table to explain how each "Front" justifies its power and how it is resisted.
Front A: The Kitchen Front
Front B: The National Front
The Authority
The Mother (Parental Power)
The Authority
The Regime (State Power)
The Justification (Goal: Survival)
How does the Mother justify her strictness? Look at her speech on p. 113. Why does she think Marji must be "the best"?
The Justification (Goal: Survival)
Why does the Regime refuse peace? Look at p. 116. What does their survival depend on? How do they use "martyrdom" (p. 115) to keep control?
The Act of Resistance
How does Marji reclaim her independence after being called a "twelve-year-old"? Explain the symbolic importance of the stolen cigarette on p. 117.
The Act of Resistance
How do the people of Tehran show resistance to the Regime's repression? Look for details about "looking hip" (p. 112) or the general reaction to the war slogans.
The "Gory" Connection:
Look at the final panels. Why does Satrapi place the execution of rebels (p. 117) directly beside Marji's first cigarette? How does this change the meaning of her "grown-up" act?
03 The Rite of Passage
Analysis Prompt: Marji says, "With this first cigarette, I kissed my childhood goodbye." Using your table from above, analyze how this personal **Rite of Passage** is shaped by the war. Why does Marji feel that becoming "grown up" is the only way to survive the "dictatorships" of both her home and her country? (8.RL.9)
Rebel Smoke Slides Persepolis
FRONT LINES
Chapter 15: The Cigarette
THE “KANSAS” FACTOR
On p. 111, Marji skips class to go to a burger joint during a bombing siren. Why do you think she describes this as her "second time" breaking the rules?
What makes this specific act "adult" to her?
5 Minutes: Discuss & Write
FRONT LINES OF REVOLUTION
Marji calls her mother the "Guardian of the Revolution of this house" (p. 113). Fill in the table to explain how each "Front" justifies its power and how it is resisted.
Front A:
The Kitchen Front
Front B:
The National Front
Identify the following on your worksheet:
1
The Authority
Who is in charge of this front?
2
The Justification
How does the authority justify their actions?
3
The Act of Resistance
How does Marji fight back?
1
The Authority
Who is in charge of this front?
2
The Justification
How does the authority justify their actions?
3
The Act of Resistance
How does Marji fight back?
Task 1: The Justification
Home Front (p. 113)
Find the reason the Mother is so strict. Why does she believe Marji has to be "the best"? What is she afraid will happen?
Regime Front (p. 116)
Explain why the Regime refuses peace. What is their actual goal in keeping the war going?
Record Row 1 on your "Front Lines" table.
Task 2: The Resistance
Personal Act (p. 117)
Describe Marji's counter-strike against her mother's "dictatorship." Why is the cigarette her weapon of choice?
National Act (p. 112)
Look for the panel about teenagers trying to "look hip." How do they resist the "extermination of the enemy within"?
Record Row 2 on your "Front Lines" table.
A Million Ghosts
"With this first cigarette, I kissed my childhood goodbye."
Write a paragraph analyzing how Marji's **Rite of Passage** is fueled by the war. Why does Marji feel she must be "Grown Up" to survive?
Cool Down
"Does rebellion require a victim?"
Turn and Talk.
Rebel Smoke Slides Persepolis
REBEL SMOKE
Chapter 15: The Cigarette
THE “KANSAS” FACTOR
On p. 111, Marji skips class to go to a burger joint during a bombing siren. Why do you think she describes this as her "second time" breaking the rules?
What makes this specific act "adult" to her?
5 Minutes: Discuss & Write
FRONT LINES OF REVOLUTION
Marji calls her mother the "Guardian of the Revolution of this house" (p. 113). Fill in the table to explain how each "Front" justifies its power and how it is resisted.
Front A:
The Kitchen Front
Front B:
The National Front
1
The Authority
Who is in charge?
2
The Justification
How do they justify power?
3
The Act of Resistance
How does Marji fight back?
1
The Authority
Who is in charge?
2
The Justification
How do they justify power?
3
The Act of Resistance
How does Marji fight back?
THE GORY CONNECTION
Look at the final panels. Why does Satrapi place the execution of rebels (p. 117) directly beside Marji's first cigarette?
How does this change the meaning of her "grown-up" act?
Synthesis Discussion
THE FINAL ACT
"With this first cigarette, I kissed my childhood goodbye."
Write a paragraph analyzing how Marji's **Rite of Passage** is fueled by the war. Why does Marji feel she must be "Grown Up" to survive?
COOL DOWN
"Does rebellion require a victim?"
Turn and Talk.
