Moscow Heroics Slides
Persepolis
Moscow
Heroic Legacies
Chapter 8: Stories & Influence
The Story So Far
Meet Uncle Anoosh
After feeling like her father isn't a "hero" because he wasn't imprisoned, Marji meets her Uncle Anoosh. He tells her the gripping story of his life as a revolutionary, his exile, and his time in prison.
Today's Focus
- Analyze the concept of a "Family Hero"
- Explore why telling stories is a form of strength
- Identify symbols of hope and sacrifice
"I had a hero in my family... naturally I loved him immediately."
— Marjane, Page 54
Warm Up: Defining Heroes
What makes someone a "hero" in Marji's eyes?
Consider: Is it about what they *do* or what they have *suffered*?
01
List 3 qualities Marji seems to look for in a "hero."
02
Compare Marji's father to Uncle Anoosh. Who does she admire more? Why?
03
Prepare to share your "Hero Profile" with the class.
Analysis: Family Memory
Prompt: The Power of the Story
On page 60, Anoosh says, "It's important that you know... our family memory must not be lost."
Why is Anoosh so determined to tell Marji his life story? How does sharing these memories act as a way to "stay alive" even if he is in danger?
Discussion Check-ins:
- What does Marji learn from Anoosh that her parents didn't tell her?
- On page 59, why did Anoosh's wife scratch her own face out of the photo?
"I tell you all this because it's important that you know. Our family memory must not be lost."
Key Concept
The Oral Tradition
Passing down history through storytelling to ensure that the truth isn't erased by those in power.
The Bread Swan Symbols
Interactive Activity:
The Symbolism Sort
The "Bread Swan" is a powerful image that ends the chapter. In your groups, brainstorm what the swan represents for each character.
1
For Anoosh: Survival, resilience, or a piece of his heart?
2
For Marji: A connection to a hero, or just a gift?
Action Step
"Draw a quick sketch of your own 'Bread Swan'—an object from your life that represents resilience. Write one word next to it."
Exit Ticket
The "Myth" vs. The Man
In Chapter 8, we see Marji turning Anoosh into a mythic figure (like the heroes in the books she reads).
Question:
How does the final panel (p. 61) show Marji's growth or a change in her perspective on "Heroes"? Use one specific detail from the art to support your answer.
Persepolis / Ch. 8 / Moscow
Moscow Heroics Worksheet
Moscow: Heroic Legacies
Persepolis Chapter 8 | Stories & Influence
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Warm Up
"So my father was not a hero." (p. 54)
Qualities Marji looks for in a hero:
Why does she admire Anoosh more than her father?
Part 2: Analysis & Storytelling
Prompt: Why is Uncle Anoosh so determined to tell Marji his life story? Consider his quote on page 60: "Our family memory must not be lost." Explain how sharing these memories acts as a form of strength and a way to protect their family's identity.
Part 3: The Bread Swan
Symbolism Sort
What does the bread swan represent to Marji vs. Anoosh?
Marji:
Anoosh:
Action: Your Personal Swan
Sketch an object that represents resilience in your own life.
Part 4: Exit Ticket
The "Myth" vs. The Man: Look at the final panel on page 61. Analyze how the visual composition (the silhouettes, the smoke-like borders) reflects Marji's internalizing of her family's "heroic legacy."
PERSEPOLIS / CH. 8
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.8.RL.9 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.8.W.2
Moscow Heroics Teacher Guide
Teacher Guide: Moscow Heroics
Persepolis Chapter 8 | Instructional Facilitation
Instructional Objective
Students will analyze how personal family narratives and storytelling shape an individual's concept of heroism. Students will specifically examine the role of Uncle Anoosh as a mentor figure and how his stories influence Marji’s shifting worldview and her growing pride in her family legacy.
Standards Alignment
- 8.RL.9: Analyzing the mythic/legendary rendering of family history.
- 8.W.2: Explanatory writing on narrative and identity.
- 8.RL.7: Evaluating visual storytelling choices in graphic novels.
Activity Facilitation
1. Warm Up: Hero Definitions (10 mins)
Focus on Marji’s shifting priorities. She values "suffering" as a prerequisite for heroism. Discussion: "Why is she so eager to have a hero in her family?" (Identity, status, moral clarity).
2. Analysis: Family Memory (15 mins)
Focus on page 60. Storytelling is presented as a duty. Anoosh is literally passing a torch of identity to Marji. Discussion point: The scratched-out face of his wife on page 59 shows that stories also contain pain and betrayal, not just glory.
3. Interactive: The Bread Swan (15 mins)
The bread swan represents dignity in captivity. It is something beautiful made from the most basic, ugly conditions (prison bread). For Marji, it is a tangible piece of "heroism" she can hold.
Answer Key / Exemplars
Part 2: Storytelling Writing
"Anoosh is determined to tell his story because he knows he might not be around forever. By telling Marji, he ensures his struggle and the 'family memory' aren't erased by the government. Sharing these stories acts as strength because it gives Marji a sense of pride and a clear understanding of her roots, making her resilient like the heroes in her family."
Part 4: Exit Ticket (Final Panel)
"The final panel (p. 61) uses dark, swirling shadows and silhouettes. This shows that Marji is now fully 'enveloped' in her family's heroic narrative. She isn't just listening to a story anymore; she is walking into the legacy herself. The composition makes the history feel epic and all-consuming, showing her deep emotional connection to Anoosh’s past."
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Heroes are only those who win. Correction: Marji’s realization is that heroes are often those who suffer for what they believe in, even if they "lose" in the short term.
- Misconception: Family history is always perfectly true. Point out that Anoosh is selecting what to tell Marji to create a "heroic legacy," which is why Marji calls it a "myth" later.
