Essay Questions

Which rhetorical appeal is dominant in the graphics?

Marjane appeals to Pathos throughout “Persepolis 2”. Even though the graphics are not colored, a reader can construe the emotions contingent on the circumstance that Marjane is describing. Some of the leading emotions include cheerfulness, amazement, rage, gratification, and worry.

Which binary opposition is predominant in Marjane Satrapi’s life after returning to Iran?

Private versus Public binary: Marjane writes, “The more time passed, the more I became conscious of the contrast between the official representation of my country and the real life of the people, the one that went on behind the walls. Our behaviour in public and our behaviour in private were polar opposites. To find a semblance of equilibrium, we partied almost every night.” According to the graphics in “Persepolis 2”, Marjane and her friends at the university were obliged to behave like upright and traditionalist women in the public sphere. They donned long dresses and veils. Comparatively, in private, they dressed like contemporary women and disregarded veils. Partying, even though it is forbidden, is a tactic of counteracting the schizophrenic repercussions of their deceitful lives.

What can you conclude about Marjane and Reza’s personalities from the graphics representing their social lives?

Reza is introverted because his graphic gives a picture of a man who is fond of being by himself. Comparatively, Marjane is an extravert who delights in being with people because her graphic has five distinctive faces.

How does the Spotlight Effect trigger Marjane’s destructive actions?

Marjane’s carries on smoking even after the doctor forbids her. She says, “ I think that I preferred to put myself in serious danger rather than confront my shame, my shame at not having become someone, the shame of not having made my parents proud after all the sacrifices they had made for me .The shame of having become a mediocre nihilist.” Marjane is worried about what people would think about her after her futile stay in Austria. She has not met any of the prospects that her parents had for her. Consequently, she indulges in damaging behavior because she contemplates that she is of little worth; thus, imperiling her health is not material.

How does Marjane explore the intersection between religion, nationality and stereotypes?

In a confrontation at the TV room, Mother Superior tells Marjane, “It’s true what they say about Iranians. They have no education.” Marjane responds, “It’s true what they say about you, too. You were all prostitutes before becoming nuns.” Even though Mother superior is a Christian who is expected to take the higher road, she uses stereotypes to offend Marjane. Similarly, Marjane appeals to retributive justice by alluding to the stereotypes concerning prostitute to smear the nuns’ credibility.

What are the principal ideologies in Persepolis 2?

First, Bakunin ideology endorses anarchism. Second Lacanian ideology ratifies psychoanalysis; whereby Lacan “he managed to isolate the registers of Symbolic Imagination and Reality” (Armelle).Third, Simone ideology deliberates on women’s liberation which comes through mimicking men.

What ideology governs Momo’s outlook?

Momo advocates the ideology of anarchism. For example, he says, “Life is pain. Pain is everything. Everything is nothingness. Therefore, life is nothingness. When man recognizes this hole, he can no longer live like an earthwork, inventing games of leaders and followers to forget his fickleness.” Momo has immense aversion for liberty. Accordingly, the processes of vote leaders into office are incongruous for Momo.

Why does Marjane Satrapi change the TV channel each time see hears news about Iran?

Marjane’s swapping of the TV channels amounts to avoidance. She does not want to listen to anything about Iran because it would upset her unconscious. It would make her reminiscent of her betrayal of the Iranian culture through all the unIranian activities that she takes part in while in Austria.