Persopolis is a graphic novel, which is a fancy word for a comic book, originally written in French by Marijane Satrapi. This autobiographical novel introduced me to many new concepts: this was the first time I had encountered the use of a comic book style combined with images of torture, abuse, and war; and the first time I had read a novel that depicted the real day-to-day lives of Iranian citizens. I do not know much about Iranians or their politics, religions, or history; however, this book acted as a catalyst that has propelled me to want to learn more.
Personally, I found this book to be an uncoated, unscripted glimpse into the heart of Iran; I met a girl, who was very similar to myself at different stages of life, simply trying to be a child and then an adolescent amidst conflict, oppression, and death. As a future teacher, Persepolis can be used as a tool to introduce students to a new genre, as well as a powerful way to dispel stereotypes and begin to see Iranians as individual people, instead of an entire country of terrorists.
Similar to painting or pottery, the type of medium used to create literature should mirror the text and add to the overall impact of the piece. Persepolis is an excellent example of a text matched perfectly with form because both the text and the images support and emphasize each other. In some cases, the dialogue or narrator’s thoughts are all the audience needs to understand the multiple inferences being made; however, some of the most compelling messages in the novel are depicted through images rather than words.
If you enjoy graphic novels and complex, historically accurate literature, this is a text you will want to read more than once. Here are a few helpful links if you want more information:
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