1. Dissection Day: Persepolis
Analyzing a Graphic Novel
English 2

2. Materials RAW Book Handout with Graphic Novel terms & concepts
Copy of Persepolis
Pen / pencil
Materials

3. Vocabulary Read the Graphic Novel / Comics Terms & Concepts
Highlight these terms:
Frame
Panel
Gutter
Graphic weight
Text features
Vocabulary

4. The “gutters” are the spaces between the framed panels.
On this page, the gutters are consistent. This shows that life is predictable with a sense of order, because the panels themselves are orderly.
As we read today’s chapter, “Persepolis”, notice anywhere that the gutters change. If you see a change in the gutters, think about why the artist would make that change.
Page 29
Page 3 – “Gutters”

5. Page 3 – Panels How many panels are on this page?
How are the panels the same?
How are they different?
Why do you think Satrapi made these choices?
There are 5 panels
They all have a caption
Some have word balloons, some don’t
They are different sizes
Page 3 – Panels

6. Page 3 – Captions vs. Speech Balloons
Read the captions and the speech balloons.
What do we learn from the speech balloons vs. the captions? How are they different?
Page 3 – Captions vs. Speech Balloons

7. Look at the third panel. What is different about this panel from the others?
Why do you think this panel is different? What does the difference symbolize? What emotion is being represented here?
This panel is dark. What does the darkness symbolize?
Page 3 – Panel #3

8. Page 6 What do you notice about this panel?
She is “split” in half – half of her is wearing the veil, representing religion but also the repressive society. Half of her is not veiled, with tools of science around her, representing her family’s desire for her to be modern, well-educated and use science to understand the world.
Page 6

9. Page 6 Marjane is split in half:
Half of her is veiled, with intricate Persian designs around her
Half of her is not veiled, with tools of modern science around her
This shows her internal battle between her religion & her family
She is “split” in half – half of her is wearing the veil, representing religion but also the repressive society. Half of her is not veiled, with tools of science around her, representing her family’s desire for her to be modern, well-educated and use science to understand the world.
Page 6

10. “The Veil” p. 3 - 9 Re-read to page 9.
Choose one panel that stands out to you.
In your RAW book, answer these 2 questions:
1) Why does this panel stand out to you? What specifically do you notice about the panel that catches your eye / attention?
2) How is this panel important to the story? For example, what does it show us about the character, the plot, the setting, history, etc?
“The Veil” p

11. Extra: Draw your own “split” personality that shows… 2 sides of you
An inner conflict
Who you have to be in 2 different situations / places
Example: Me at home / me at school
Extra:

12. Alvarez, Vicko. “Learning Duality with Persepolis. ” Scholar Comics
Alvarez, Vicko. “Learning Duality with Persepolis.” Scholar Comics. 10 February Web. 19 April 2016.
Ankiel, Janet M. “Pictures Tell the Story: Improving Comprehension with Persepolis. ReadWriteThink.org NCTE. Web. 19 April 2016.
Sources