Critical Response: Persepolis

The term "black and white" suggests that there are two clear sides to an issue. Generally one of those sides is considered right and the other wrong. Satrapi, however, shows us that viewing things as either black or white is somewhat wrongheaded. Considering that the graphic narrative lacks a variety of colors (see, for instance, American Born Chinese, which is a very colorful text), that it is in "black and white," there's room for irony. Discuss how the notion of black and white (right and wrong, one side or the other) becomes complicated when considering the use of black and white as the color scheme for the narrative.

• Abron, Misty
• Aguilar, Kristin
• Britton, Crystal
• Bryant, Erica
  

Americans generally have a clear idea as to how childhood should be, that it is a time of innocence, of play, of goodness, that children should be protected from the ugliness of the world, and that children haven't any political views. In some ways, however, Satrapi complicates that notion of childhood. How is Marji's childhood similar to what we expect of an American childhood, and how is it very different from that concept? What might be some of the reasons for this contradiction?

• Cervantes, Shelly
• Dotson, Trey
• Fambles, Erica
• Howard, Katie
  

In the introduction, Satrapi explains that Iran "has been discussed mostly in connection with fundamentalism, fanaticism, and terrorism" (n.p.). However, as Satrapi writes, "I know that his image is far from the truth" which "is why writing Persepolis was so important to me" (n.p.). In what ways does Satrapi succeed in her goals? Does she fail at times? If so, how?

• Jones, Rhonda
• McIntyre, Dottie
• Miller, Linda
• Monday, Morgan
  

Persepolis is a text full of irony. For instance, Marji, as a follower of Marx and Engels, critiques the ownership of material items--"stuff" as George Carlin would say--and the problems with hierarchies. Identify some of the instances when those critiques occur and how they unfold. For instance, consider the maid and Marji's surroundings (her home, car, etc.) and her parents' attitudes.

• Oliver, Brenda
• Richardson, Elizabeth
• Segura, Susan
• Groom (Temple), Rachael
• Vonausdall, Alexandria
  

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As usual, your response should:

• Be typed
• Unless otherwise noted, be a minimum of 700 words (please provide your word count at the end of your paper--and note that sometimes simply meeting the minimum will result in minimum grades :) )
• Have an introduction wherein you state the idea, speculation, or question with which your working; a body where you explore that idea (the body should probably be about 2 or 3 well-deveoped paragraphs), speculation, or question; a conclusion that gives your reader something to think about . Generally, you will examine the ideological disposition of the texts we read. Alternatively, I will ask for a comparision of text and adaptation wherein you examine the ideological shifts.
• Include quotations from the text that advance/support your idea, speculation, or question. If your response does not have quotations from the text, do not expect an A on it.
• Follow MLA style which means you should include the page numbers of your quoations and a works cited entry. If your response does not include page numbers and the works cited entry, I will return it to you without grading. You must turn in the corrected paper the next class period. The grade will be lowered a letter grade, for I will consider it a late paper.
• Go beyond the obvious
• Avoid generalizations