A Visual Journey into Identity, Resistance, and Freedom 

Welcome to Your Persepolis Learning Adventure  

Dear Students,

Get ready to dive into a story like no other - told not just through words, but through powerful images.

In this unit, you’ll explore Persepolis, a graphic memoir by Marjane Satrapi, which follows her life growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Through bold drawings and honest storytelling, Marjane shares what it’s like to live in a world where speaking your mind can be dangerous, wearing a veil is mandatory, and freedom isn’t always a given.

But Persepolis is more than a personal story - it’s about:

• Finding your voice when silence is expected.
  
  

• Fighting for freedom when rules feel unfair.
  
  

• Discovering your identity when the world tries to define it for you

Why Are We Studying This?

Because literature isn't just about reading - it's about understanding people, power, and the world around us.

In Persepolis, we’ll ask questions like:

• What does it mean to resist?

• How do people express identity under pressure?

• What happens when your home no longer feels like home?

By reading this book, you’ll gain new insights into history, politics, family, and growing up - and maybe even reflect on your own values and choices.

What You will Learn and Do in This Unit

✅ Read the graphic novel Persepolis and respond thoughtfully to key questions
✅ Understand the historical and political context of the Iranian Revolution
✅ Analyze how graphic novels use images and text to tell powerful stories
✅ Reflect on themes like identity, oppression, resistance, and freedom
✅ Engage in activities that let you express your voice and creativity through speaking, writing, and performance

🟣 Unit Activities

Get ready to experience Persepolis in powerful, creative ways. Throughout the unit, you’ll participate in interactive activities that help you connect with the novel’s characters, themes, and visual style—through performance, discussion, analysis, and creation.

Here’s what you’ll do:

🔥 Then & Now – Revolutionary Childhood Warm-Up → Subject Link: Citizenship / History / Social Studies
Reflect on what it means to grow up during a revolution using historical images, a class poll, and paired discussion.

📚 Cause and Effect Challenge → Subject Link: History / Critical Thinking / Global Citizenship
Match key historical causes and consequences to events in Persepolis using movement and teamwork.

🎭 Revolution Roleplay – Who Do You Follow? → Drama / Ethics / Citizenship
Step into the shoes of characters who influence Marji and give her advice during a turning point in the revolution.

🗣️ Debate – Is Rebellion the Right Path? Civics / Ethics / Speaking & Listening
Weigh the costs and benefits of rebellion in a structured class debate that links Persepolis to real-world events.

🖼️ Visual Voice – What Do These Images Say? → Subject Link: Art / Media Literacy / Visual Culture 
Analyze panels from the graphic novel and uncover how Satrapi uses contrast, symbols, and expression to communicate powerful ideas.

🖌️ Graphic Novel Panel Quest → Subject Link: Art / Media Literacy / Creative Writing
Create a 4-panel comic strip in groups, visually exploring Identity, Oppression, Resistance, and Freedom.

📌I integrate drama, literature and digital didactics into my lessons to make language skills practical and meaningful. This year I introduced VWO5 pupils to sonnets in an attractive, digital way, using activating and visual working methods. In addition, I incorporated drama in a Grammar in Action –, in which pupils practiced grammatical structures in a realistic role-play. This approachpromoted understanding, and application in realistic situations. I have  creative insight and experience how to effectively integrate drama into any type of lesson – from grammar to literature – to stimulate meaningful learning and expression.

🟣Summative assessment

✍️ Argumentative Essay - Verbal Essay

💬 A Message from the Author

“I believe that an entire nation should not be judged by the wrongdoings of a few extremists.”
- Marjane Satrapi

Let’s start this journey with open minds, curious hearts, and a critical eye - because this isn’t just a story about Iran. It’s about all of us.