This is a place to post other thoughts, comments, and questions you might have. Feel free to use this space to begin discussions that go beyond the scope of the summer reading project, or expand on ideas discussed in other posts.
Please note that I will absolutely read what you post here, but it is not worth extra credit. You will have several other extra credit options for 3rd quarter!
Bonus Stuff
Some may argue that the illustrations limit the storytelling, leaving no room for the reader to use their imagination in the same way that novels with no illustrations allow. However, one must keep in mind that, in terms of graphic novels, Persepolis leaves quite enough room for the reader to visualize certain facets of the story in their minds. For example, one of the predominant aspects of the novel is the idea of movement, and Marjane can be quite a restless character at times, whether it is by playing Che Guevara or by going from house to house in Europe, seeking a home. Movement, however, cannot be completely illustrated through the images, so it is up to the reader to decide, for instance, what the dance in the forth panel of page 170 really looks like.
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Marcia Lagesse
1/15/2014 10:22:05 am
The illustrations added to the almost nonsensical aspect of Persepolis. It may have limited the reader's imagination, but it guides us along the process in the way that Marjane wants us to be guided. Furthermore, I feel like the graphics have an almost hypnotic and dizzying and rather macabre effect on the reader that could not be achieved through simple words. Overall, I think the illustrations added to the work, leaving an even greater impact on the reader.
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Gabrielle Dutra
1/20/2014 02:49:56 pm
Since this is open for discussion, I have a question is by any means this book trying to prove to us that there is no hard feelings from Iranians to Westerns? Sincerely, I thought Satrapi seemed to try to convince that Iranians were victims of a system by which they acted according to what the Iranian Commission told them. For instance of the key, and how they seemed ignorant towards their actions. However, I think is quite ironic to look at that while Iranians burn the american flags and stone their women to death. Specially when they burned the American Embassy in 1979, there is even a film about it ARGO!!! Its awesome. Maybe I wish I could have heard the same story however from another person from lower class. You never know how different the versions may be.
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Marcia Lagesse
1/20/2014 07:16:38 pm
That may perhaps be one of the book's objectives, but I do not believe that is the book's sole purpose. Furthermore, you're generalizing Gabi. Not all Iranians are extremist and stone their women to death. Furthermore, the whole stoning to death thing is a cultural and religious practice (Although the Q'ran in no way tells people to stone women or men to death). I'm not defending it or saying it's right, it's one of the most horrid practices in existence, but I beg people not to be too quick to judge. Moreover, the people in ARGO were probably extremists as well. Please also remember that the United States received only bad press in Iran at that time. In sum, what I mean to say is that while there are extremists, there are also those who are more rational. Think of Nazi Germany, for example.
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Gabrielle Dutra
1/20/2014 09:49:13 pm
Ture, but as well Marci, remember that Marjane is a wealthy girl in Iran and her perception of the situation is not like the other people less fortunate her. Sometimes it would be better if we heard about the situation from different views. Remember as well that her family was connected to the Shah and the Iranian monarchy, so maybe naturally she does not think as bad of the Western world as people less fortunate.I just meant, that maybe listening to different versions of the story would give us different perspectives.
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