WHICH SOCIAL GROUPS ARE MARGINALISED,

EXCLUDED OR SILENCED WITHIN THE TEXT?

Marjane Satrapi explores the theme of growing up under oppression in

Persepolis. She introduces herself and the troubles of the Islamic
Revolution through the symbol of the veil. The first frame of the first
page presents
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

The caption on this frame reads This is me when I was ten years old.
This was 1980.The text and image could not be simpler or more to the
truth. The reader hears the voice of the author, looking back on her
childhood, showing us
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

1
Satrapi juxtaposes the innocence of childhood with the seriousness of
the Islamic Revolution through images that depict
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

As well as focusing on her own

troubles of growing up during the
Revolution, she also sheds light on
her parents struggles with the
ruling Islamic Party. She comes to
realise that her parents beliefs
are opposite to that of the regime.
(Page 110 and page 105).

____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

2
This contrast culminates in the final page of the novel, when her parents
send her to Austria in order to protect her from
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

3
In Persepolis, Satrapi encourages an understanding from the reader
about the way many different groups (not just Marjane and her family)
were systematically silenced in Iran during this time. The Persian
Nationalists who were imprisoned (Page 83) is one of several stories
about people who were hurt, killed or locked up by the extremists in
government. She also demonstrates the way some Muslims were
oppressed by their own beliefs through (p.96)

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_____________

Marjanes familys
treatment of the
maid Mehri upon
finding out about
the courtship with
their neighbours
son is also
indicative of
marginalisation
under an
oppressive regime
(p.36). The social
classes

4
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
______________________________

The way the children brag to each other each day about how often they
pray (p.75) is evidence of a society that is
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

5
SUMMARISE ANY CONNECTIONS YOU MAKE
BETWEEN TKAM & Persepolis:
Consider social classes, the roles of girls and women in a society that has sexist
views, oppression, those who are being silenced because of a set of
beliefs/assumptions, the storytelling and myth making behind stereotyped
assumptions, Scout and Marj, their families, the effects of oppression, classism,
sexism and racism on children.

Then write a paragraph that answers this question:

WHICH SOCIAL GROUPS ARE MARGINALISED,
EXCLUDED OR SILENCED WITHIN THE TEXT?