Discussion Question

1. All three poem is about the story of 'father'. What is 'father' meaning to author?
2. Why her father's attitude to plants was insincere when they moved to new house?

Satrapi's Message in the book "Persepolis"

Marjane Satrapi, the author of the book "Persepolis" who is an Iranian-born French novelist as well as illustrator, wrote her book about her childhood story to people who are not aware of real history of Iran and Islamic Revolution. Still there are many people who didn't learn about a world history especially about Iran, and many people don't have interest in the history of Iran. Because of those reasons, she used a way that readers could easily understand it; such as using of picture and easy vocabulary. She wanted to make readers not get bored while they read her book. Honestly, I didn't have interest and care about the country called "Iran" before I read this book. I thought Iran was peaceful place because my home country South Korea and Iran are "Diplomatic Relations" which is connected with peace making, trade, culture and economic. Anyway, let's think about this. Why did Satrapi write and publish this book in France? This is important problem. If she published this book in Iran and many people got to know about the terrifying reality of Iran, of course she would be seriously in danger. The Iranian government never let her be alive. Probably she would be killed.

Satrapi tried to convey how chaotic and painful was the reality and the hardship she undergone. She wanted to denounce all the horrible things committed by the brutal government; such as recruiting young boys to the army and making into a slaughter, serious unfairness between men and women, demonstrations and wars that led many people to die. By setting her as the main character, the readers could feel more realistic and empathize with her because they would think this book as a autobiography. Also because of her vivid descriptions and pictures of background, the readers could easily approach to the book, and Satrapi could show what she wanted to convey more effectively. I think the message she wanted to tell was "Be aware of the real situations at that time, and don't forget the hardships that was undergone by the martyrs made Iran of now." Her book plays the role of history textbook that tells the facts that should be indelible to descendants.

I think she definitely achieved her purpose. I am the one of the audiences she aimed, and at least my classmates and I became to know about the reality of that time. She wanted more and more people to know about her message and spread out. In that perspective, this book was filmed as a movie and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academic Award 2007 too. That shows her book was impressive and implies the number of people who have read or watched "Persepolis" would be large. Also, thanks to this book, I could fully understand about the real history of Iran and wrote a book review to recommend this book to others. Thus I hope this book spread out more widely and people start to recognize about the history of Iran. 

Real Hero Called Father (edited)

“KABOOM!!!” “Run!!!” “Down with the King!!!!!” Age of revolution is inevitably chaotic. Likewise  Iranian Revolution was very chaotic. Also, there is a book about that chaotic revolution. "Persepolis" is the book that was written by Marjane Satrapi who is an Iranian-born French novelist as well as illustrator. It was originally published in French, and it has been translated into several languages including English. It is divided into two books and the first book that I read is about Marjane’s childhood and the second book is about the story from her high school life to moving to France. “Persepolis” also has a film version. And it was nominated for 2007 Academy Award. The book "Persepolis" has many characters inside. All the characters play important roles in this book. Among them, I choose to write about Marjane's father. He is a brave person. He got almost arrested by government because he engaged in the demonstration and took a picture of it even though it was strictly forbidden at that time. He is also being strict and hypocritical sometimes like the incident about their maid, which make Marjane confused. However the most important thing is Marjane’s father plays a role of her hero because he always stands beside her and gives her comfort and courage to live and make her own voice.

The first reason why I think he is a hero is because he is “a hero” which Marjane wants. At first, she didn’t think he was “a hero” but later on she realized that her father was a hero. According to the book, one of Marjane’s friends said “I wish he were alive and in jail rather than dead and a hero” (Satrapi 86). Her father was martyr which means a hero died for the country. However she wanted her father to be with her rather than be a hero. Because death of father was really hard to tolerate to young girl. After Marjane listened to that, she realized. Unlike her father, Marjane’s father is always with Marjane and do her favor. He told her story of the history and about their family. Marjane was really interested in that kind of story so afterward, he kept telling her fun story next to her. In addition, when he and his wife decided to go to travel to Turkey, Marjane asked them to buy westernized culture stuffs such as Michael Jackson badge, denim jacket, newest Nike sneakers and posters of American singers. Those were highly banned products and if they were exposed, it could be lead to serious problem but he took a risk and bought them for her. That is all because he loved Marjane so much.

Another reason is because he tried to give her comfort and courage. At last of the book, he decided to send Marjane to Austria because he worried so much about her safety in this country. Of course, Marjane didn’t want to go with giving the reason she is too young to go alone. He said to her that he truly believes her that she will do it valiantly rather than convince her logically. “We adore you! Don’t ever forget who you are!” (Satrapi, 148) he said to Marjane in order to give her sincere mind of him which made Marjane comfortable and courageous. On the way of airport and in front of the door, the only person who crying was her father. Not only at the airport but also every time Marjane said that she wants to do a threatening things, he truly worried and tried to prevent it. Furthermore, when Marjane's teacher said her dream is inappropriate, he didn't care and rather he understood her. I think that beliefs of her father on Marjane made her to be outspoken and independent.

Marjane’s father is a person who gives comfort to Marjane just for standing beside. He is “a hero” and “a true father” to Marjane. He is being friendly but sometimes being strict, he even makes me curious about if there is any father like him in this world. To be honest, there are not so many of his part in this book. However his impression is big enough to distinguish. If Marjane’s father was one of a hero of country, what would Marjane’s future be?



Works Cited
Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story Of A Childhood
New York, NY: Pantheon Books, 2003

Real Hero Called Father

“KABOOM!!!” “Run!!!” “Down with the King!!!!!” Age of revolution is inevitably noisy. Likewise  Iranian Revolution was very noisy. And there is a book has some contents about that noisy Revolution. "Persepolis" is the book that is written by Marjane Satrapi who is an Iranian-born French novelist as well as illustrator. It was originally published in French, and it has been translated into several languages including English. It is divided into two books and the first book that I read is about Marjane’s childhood and the second book is about the story from her high school life to moving to France. “Persepolis” also has a film version. And it was nominated for 2007 Academy Award. The book "Persepolis" has many characters inside. All the characters do important roles in this book. Among them, I choose to write about Marjane's father. He is a brave person. He got almost arrested by government because he engaged in the demonstration and took a picture of it even though it was strictly forbidden at that time. He also being strict and hypocritical sometimes like the incident about their maid, so makes Marjane confused. But most important thing is Marjane’s father plays a role of her hero because he always stands beside her and gives her a comfort and a courage to live and make her own voice.

The first reason why I think he is a hero is because he is “a hero” which Marjane wants. At first, she didn’t think he is “a hero” but later on she realized that her father was a hero. According the book, one of Marjane’s friends said “I wish he were alive and in jail rather than dead and a hero” (Satrapi 86). Her father is martyr which means a hero died for the country. But she wants her father to be with her rather than be a hero. Because death of father was really hard to tolerate to young girl. After Marjane listened to that, she realized. Unlike her father, Marjane’s father is always be with Marjane and do her favor. He told her story of the history and about their family. Marjane was really interested in that kind of story so afterward, he kept telling her fun story next to her. In addition, when he and his wife decided to go to travel to Turkey, Marjane asked them to buy westernized culture stuffs such as Michael Jackson badge, denim jacket, newest Nike sneakers and posters of American singers. Those were highly banned products and if they were exposed, it could be lead to serious problem but he took a risk and bought them for her. That is all because he loved Marjane so much.

Another reason is because he tried to give her a comfort and a courage. At last of the book, he decided to send Marjane to Austria. Because he worried so much about her safety in this country. And of course, Marjane didn’t want to go with giving the reason she is too young to go alone. He said to her that he truly believes her that she will do it valiantly rather than convince her logically. “We adore you! Don’t ever forget who you are!” (Satrapi, 148) he said to Marjane in order to give her sincere mind of him which made Marjane comfortable and courageous. On the way of airport and in front of the door, the only person who crying was her father. Not only at the airport but also every time Marjane said that she wants to do a threatening things, he truly worried and tried to prevent it. Furthermore, when Marjane's teacher said her dream is inappropriate, he didn't care and rather he understood her. I think that beliefs of her father on Marjane made her to be outspoken and independent.

Marjane’s father is a person who gives comfort to Marjane just for standing beside. He is “a hero” and “a true father” to Marjane. Friendly but strict sometimes, he even makes me curious about if there is any father like him in this world. To be honest, there are not that many of his part in this book. But his impression is big enough to distinguish. If Marjane’s father was one of a hero of country, what would Marjane’s future be?

Works Cited

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story Of A Childhood

New York, NY: Pantheon Books, 2003

First Draft (very not organized)

“KABOOM!!!” “Run!!!” “Down with the King!!!!!” Age of revolution is inevitably noisy. Likewise  Iranian Revolution was very noisy. And there is a book has some contents about that noisy Revolution. "Persepolis" is the book that is written by Marjane Satrapi who is an Iranian-born French novelist as well as illustrator. It was originally published in French, and it has been translated into several languages including English. It is divided into two books and the first book that I read is about Marjane’s childhood and the second book is about the story from her high school life to moving to France. “Persepolis” also has a film version. And it was nominated for 2007 Academy Award. The book "Persepolis" has many characters inside. All the characters do important roles in this book. Among them, I choose to write about Marjane's father. He is basically a brave person. He got almost arrested by government because he engaged in the demonstration and took a picture of it even though it was strictly forbidden at that time. But most important thing is Marjane’s father do a role of her hero because he gives Marjane a comfort and a courage to live and make her own voice.

unlike other fathers of Marjane’s friends, he always be with her and do her favor. He told her story of the history, bought what she wanted from Europe. Also he is a brave person. He got almost arrested by government because he engaged in the demonstration and took a picture of it even though it was strictly forbidden at that time. He really does care about Marjane and try to support her in a way that benefits her. Marjane's teacher said her dream is inappropriate, he didn't care and rather he understood her. Sometimes like the incident about their maid, he is being hypocritical so making Marjane confused. However, he is still great father of Marjane I think.

First reason why I think he is a hero is because he is “a hero” which Marjane wants. At first, she didn’t think he is “a hero” but later on she realized that her father was a hero. According the book, one of Marjane’s friends said “I wish he were alive and in jail rather than dead and a hero” (Satrapi 86). Her father is martyr which means a hero died for the country. But she wants her father to be with her rather than be a hero. Because death of father was really hard to tolerate to young girl. After Marjane listened to that, she realized. Unlike her father, Marjane’s father is always be with Marjane and do her favor. He told her story of the history and about their family. Marjane was really interested in that kind of story so afterward, he kept telling her fun story next to her. In addition, when he and his wife decided to go to travel to Turkey, Marjane asked them to buy westernized culture stuffs such as Michael Jackson badge, denim jacket, newest Nike sneakers and posters of American singers. Those were highly banned products and if they were exposed, it could be lead to serious problem but he took a risk and bought them for her. That is all because he loved Marjane so much.

He gave her comfort and courage by told her whenever you feel like to come back home, feel free to do so.


Works Cited
Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story Of A Childhood
New York, NY: Pantheon Books, 2003

Persepolis: Such A Nice History Record

"Persepolis" is the book written by Marjane Satrapi who is an Iranian-born French novelist as well as illustrator. It was originally published in French, and it has been translated into several languages including English. It is divided into two books and the first book that I read is about Marjane’s childhood and the second book is about the story from her high school life to moving to France. “Persepolis” also has a film version. And it was nominated for 2007 Academy Award. So it was already proved that this is good book. And I liked this book. First reason why is  it was great to learn about history of Iran which I didn’t have chance to learn in Korea. Also it was easy to read for me who is beginner at reading English book because it was comic book and didn’t use a hard vocabulary. Lastly, I really liked the viewpoint in this book.

Marjane, a little girl, is the main character of this book and she tells us her life story in her perspective as I said above. It helps to show the reality of that time in a way that is more honestly and plainly. She lived in very dangerous and strict society after the Islamic Revolution. And she was outspoken and interested in the problem of society so she always had trouble with things that were really threatening. But she kept coming out with a question of unfairness of the society, and she had learned many lessons in that process.

“Persepolis” didn’t use that really hard vocabulary. I think it’s because of little girl’s viewpoint. I am not an expert at English book reading, so understanding whole story without using dictionary is biggest goal. And with this book, I could accomplish my goal. Even if when I didn’t get it completely, the picture of this book helped me to understand. For example, through character’s facial expression, I could guess what was happening on that page.

However this was little bit uncomfortable to read in perspective of the affluent family. I think it leads to get biased information. According to the book, a poor people were recruited to army which was actually slaughter. At the same time, Marjane was at the party with friends and had fun time. In terms of showing opposite situation that emphasize tragedy, it was helpful but for some people, it might be uncomfortable I think.

I highly recommend this book. This will help readers to learn about the history of Iran without feeling bored. Even though it can be interpret as bit partial, I know it is inevitable problem for history related book, and the good parts of this book are enough to conceal that problem.

http://youtu.be/StgaphDN4Jw video review

Thesis of Book Review

I liked book "Persepolis". First of all, it was great chance to learn about history of Iran which I couldn't learn in Korea. Also it was easy to read for me who is beginner at reading English book. Furthermore, it was comic book so it was impressive enough to catch my attention. Lastly, I really liked the viewpoint in this book.