Rebel Leader Guide Slice Sparking the Flame
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Day 01
Instructional Objective
Students will analyze themes of oppression and manipulation in Persepolis and identify a global parallel (another country/event) to adapt into an original graphic protest panel, avoiding direct recreation of Satrapi's work.
Standards Alignment
RL.9: Analyze how modern fiction draws on traditional themes—and how students can apply that same analytical lens to new historical contexts.
W.2: Examine a topic (the mirror event) and convey ideas through the organization and analysis of comparative content.
Materials Needed
Sparking the Flame Slides
Protest Planning Guide (Mirror Edition)
Devices for research
Student Evidence of Understanding
Parallel Selection (W.2)
Students must select a country or historical event (e.g., Nazi Germany, Apartheid SA, Cultural Revolution China) that mirrors the themes in Persepolis . They demonstrate understanding by identifying the specific "Mirror Mechanism" of control used in that event.
Comparative Analysis (RL.9)
Students show mastery by explaining how the traditional themes (Sacrifice, Purity, Divine Will) identified in Persepolis were similarly "rendered new" or perverted in their chosen mirror event to manipulate a different population.
Synthetic Thesis (W.2)
Students draft a one-sentence "Protest Thesis" that applies their learning from Persepolis to expose a truth about the mirror event. This ensures they are generalizing the concept of manipulation rather than just copying Satrapi's narrative.
The Lesson Flow
The Global Echo (10 min)
Ask: "Is Satrapi's story unique? Where else in history have we seen a 'Key to Paradise' or a 'Sacred Veil' used to hide a lie?" Briefly show images of propaganda from a different era.
Analyzing the "Old" Lens (15 min)
Standard RL.9. Focus on the idea of "Rendering New." How did the Iranian regime take an old religious idea and make it a new tool of war? Now, what other regimes have done this? (Brainstorming session).
Mirror Selection & Drafting (20 min)
Groups use the Protest Planning Guide . This is the Crucial Shift : They must choose their non-Iran event here. Teacher Tip: Provide a 'Menu of Oppression' (a list of historical events) for groups that are stuck.
Crucial Discussion Prompts
On the Parallel:
"Why does manipulation look so similar in different cultures and time periods? Is there a 'playbook' for oppression?"
On Art as Analysis:
"How does using Satrapi's style to draw a DIFFERENT country's struggle help us understand Persepolis more deeply than just copying its pages?"
Sparking the Flame Slides Sparking
The Flame
Panels of Protest: Day 01
The Hook
[ Image: The Golden Key ]
How does an object become a tool of manipulation?
How does it become a symbol of oppression?
"The key to paradise... if you die in war, you go to heaven."
Manipulation /məˌnipyəˈlāSH(ə)n/
Definition:
The exercise of harmful influence over others. It involves distorting the truth to gain control.
In Persepolis:
Rewriting school textbooks
Radio broadcasts/State Media
The Goal:
To make people believe that their oppression is actually for their own benefit or salvation .
Oppression /əˈpreSH(ə)n/
Governmental
Unjust exercise of authority. Laws that strip away individual identity and freedom.
Religious
The use of divine authority to police behavior, clothing, and thought.
"We were not merely forced to wear the veil. We were forced to love it."
Beyond Persepolis
These themes aren't just in Iran. They are Universal.
The Challenge:
You will not recreate a scene from the book. Instead, you will find another country or event where these same patterns appeared.
Potential Mirrors:
• Propaganda in WWII Europe
• Cultural Revolution in China
• Apartheid in South Africa
• Any modern digital manipulation
Adapting Themes
Standard RL.9
Traditional Pattern
A common theme from history/myth (e.g., Sacrifice, "The Promised Land", Purification).
Sacrifice for the Motherland
Global Adaptation
How did your chosen country "render it new" to manipulate or oppress people?
Your Chosen Event
Your Mission
Create a Global Protest Panel
Research
Find a parallel event from another country.
Connect
Analyze the themes using Persepolis as a lens.
Protest
Reveal the manipulation through art.
Day 01: Planning
1
Pick Your Mirror Event
Select a country or time period that mirrors Persepolis.
2
Protest Planning Guide Protest Planning Guide
Project: Panels of Protest Lesson 01: Planning
Agent(s) Name:
Date:
01
Select Your Lens
Manipulation
Lies, propaganda, or perverted religious/nationalist stories used to gain control.
Oppression
Forced identity, restricted behavior, or physical/psychological control.
02
The Global Mirror
Another Country / Event:
Time Period:
Evidence of Parallel:
Briefly describe the specific manipulation or oppression that happened here.
03
The Persepolis Connection
As seen in Persepolis:
Cite a specific scene/page.
How it is SIMILAR to your chosen event:
Rendering it New (RL.9)
How did the regime in your MIRROR country twist a traditional theme?
Traditional Theme:
(e.g., Sacrifice, Promised Land, Purity)
How they twisted it:
(The manipulation/lie used for control)
05
The Protest Thesis
What specific truth will your graphic panel reveal about your Mirror country's manipulation?
Mapping the Message Slides Mapping
The Message
Storyboarding & Perspective: Day 02
Point of View
How do differences in POV create suspense or impact?
The Character's POV
What do they see? Fear? Hope? Confusion?
The Audience's POV
What do we know that the character doesn't?
Tools of the Graphic Novelist
Bird's Eye
Looking down. Makes the subject look small, weak, or oppressed .
Worm's Eye
Looking up. Makes the subject look powerful, heroic, or manipulative .
Extreme Close-up
Focus on eyes or hands. Creates suspense or intense emotion.
The Power of the Gutter
PANEL 1
GUTTER
PANEL 2
The Gutter is the space between panels.
"In the gutter, we decide how much time has passed. We decide what happened during the silence."
Your Blueprint
Sketch 4 specific panels for your protest narrative.
Annotate your camera angles (Bird's eye, low angle, etc.).
Plan your Dialogue or Narrative Boxes .
CRITICAL CHECK:
Does your layout emphasize Manipulation or Oppression?
Example: A low angle on a religious leader makes them feel larger and more manipulative.
Panel Blueprint Template Panel Blueprint
Stage 02: Visual Storyboard
Group:
Thesis:
POV Cheat Sheet: Bird's Eye (Weak) Worm's Eye (Strong)
Frame Types: Extreme Close-up Wide / Establishing
Themes: Manipulation Oppression
"Design your panels to create suspense or reveal the hidden truth."
PANEL 01 Angle: _______________
Action / Visual Notes:
Dialogue / Narrative:
PANEL 02 Angle: _______________
Action / Visual Notes:
Dialogue / Narrative:
PANEL 03 Angle: _______________
Action / Visual Notes:
Dialogue / Narrative:
PANEL 04 Angle: _______________
Action / Visual Notes:
Dialogue / Narrative:
Varied POV Used?
Theme Clear?
Blueprint Approved
Inking the Resistance Slides Inking
The Resistance
Execution Phase: Days 03 & 04
The Final Draft
Today, you move from Sketches to Final Art.
The Standard: W.2
"Examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content."
CRITICAL ELEMENTS:
High Contrast (B&W)
Clear Perspective
Legible Dialogue
Symbolic Depth
Pro Tips: Visual Impact
Use of Black Space
Don't fear the dark. In Persepolis , heavy black sections represent fear, death, and silence.
Use ink to show the "weight" of oppression.
Text as Art
The font style of your dialogue should match the tone.
Is a character shouting or whispering?
Production Schedule
DAY 03
The Inking
Light pencil outlines
Bold ink borders
Establishing the "Mood"
DAY 04
The Polishing
Final text & dialogue
Shading & contrast
Rubric Self-Check
Don't Forget the Message
"How are you making the traditional theme of resistance new?"
Get to Work.
Protest Panel Rubric Protest Panel Rubric
Standards-Based Assessment
Total Points 100
Group Name
Chosen Theme (Manipulation / Oppression)
Criteria Exceptional (25) Developing (15) Insufficient (5) Thematic Depth (RL.9)
How the panel adapts traditional themes from religious/mythic works into a modern context.
| Adaptation is sophisticated; clearly twists traditional themes to show modern manipulation. | Thematic connection is present but literal; some adaptation of "traditional" ideas is visible. | Connection to traditional themes or religious/mythic patterns is missing or unclear. |
|
Point of View (8.RL.6)
Use of camera angles and perspective to create suspense, fear, or impact.
| Multiple angles (Bird's eye, close-up) are used masterfully to create intense suspense/emotion. | Some variety in perspective is used. POV shift creates basic impact or interest. | Panels are static or generic; no intentional use of POV to create an effect. |
|
Clarity of Message (W.2)
Analysis and organization of content to convey a specific protest thesis.
| Message is unmistakable and powerful. Visuals and text work perfectly together to analyze the topic. | Message is clear but could be more focused. Visuals and text are organized logically. | The "protest" message is confusing or contradictory. Lacks coherent organization. |
|
Visual Execution
Artistic effort, use of contrast (ink), and general craftsmanship.
| Exceptional effort; high contrast inking is polished and clean. Dialogue is highly legible. | Good effort; some inconsistency in inking or shading. Dialogue is mostly readable. | Work appears rushed or unfinished. Inking is messy or dialogue is difficult to read. |
Teacher Notes & Reflections
Subtotal
_____ / 100
Our Greatest Strength:
One thing we would change: Voices of Change Slides Voices
Of Change
The Gallery Walk: Day 05
How it Works
01
Display
Tape your final panel to your designated wall space. Place your Protest Thesis next to it.
02
Circulate
Move in silence. Spend 3 minutes at each station. Look at the Visuals first, then the Text .
03
Evaluate
Use your Feedback Form to note how peers used POV and adaptation (RL.9).
Critical Viewing
Look for Perspective:
Where did they put the camera? Does it make you feel suspense or anger?
Look for the "Twist":
How did they take an old idea (sacrifice, veil, etc.) and make it a protest?
Closing Debrief
"Which panel was the most manipulative? Why?"
"How does visual art serve as a form of protest that written words cannot?"
"What traditional patterns of 'good vs. evil' were challenged today?"
Resistance
Complete
Your voices have been heard.
Gallery Walk Feedback Form Gallery Feedback Form
Day 05: Voices of Change
Reviewer Name:
01
Peer Intelligence Gathering
Visit three different panels. Analyze how they used point of view and thematic adaptation.
Station A: Group Name _______________ Theme: Manip. / Oppr.
POV Technique Observed:
How did they use angles to create suspense or impact?
Thematic Adaptation (RL.9):
What traditional idea did they twist?
Station B: Group Name _______________ Theme: Manip. / Oppr.
POV Technique Observed:
Thematic Adaptation (RL.9):
02
Personal Resistance Journal
Reflection Question:
"Based on your own work and the panels you saw today, how can visual storytelling reveal truths that a simple sentence might hide?"
The Standard Check (8.RL.6):
"Did you find that different perspectives (audience vs character) actually created suspense in your panel? Why or why not?"
Intellectual Sovereignty Project
