📖Situation/Scenario 

In the chapter The Passport, Marji’s Uncle Taher has a serious heart attack and needs surgery in another country to survive. However, the government refuses to give him a passport because he was once arrested for speaking against the regime. At that time, only people who supported the regime were allowed important things like passports or medical help. Marji’s father tries to help by getting a fake passport - but sadly, they run out of time, and Uncle Taher dies. 

🎯 Student Challenge: If you were Marji, What would you do? 

➔ Would you try illegal (like getting a fake passport)? to save your loved one? 

➔ Would you stay safe and follow the law, even if it means losing someone you love?

 ➔ How do you balance loyalty to family versus fear of the regime? 

📖Situation/Scenario:
In the chapter Kim Wilde, Marji proudly wears jeans, sneakers, and a denim jacket - clothes that reflect her love for Western culture.
While walking in the street, she is stopped by the Guardians of the Revolution, a group that patrols women’s clothing and behavior.
They threaten to arrest her for her "improper" outfit.
Marji thinks quickly and invents a story to escape.

🎯 Student Challenge: If you were Marji, What would you do? 

➔ Would you wear what you love even if it’s risky?

➔ Would you hide your identity and blend in to stay safe?

➔ How do you decide when to express yourself and when to protect yourself? 

📖Situation/Scenario:
In the chapter The Shabbat, Marji experiences a devastating moment: a missile hits her street, killing her neighbors, including her friend Neda.
When Marji sees Neda’s bracelet sticking out from the rubble, she realizes for the first time that death can strike without warning.
This shatters her sense of safety and childhood innocence.

🎯 Student Challenge: If you were Marji, What would you do? 

➔ How would you cope with such a sudden, personal loss?
➔ Would you try to forget and stay strong, or allow yourself to grieve openly?
➔ How does living under constant threat change the way people view life and death?

📖Situation/Scenario 

In the chapter The Dowry, Marji boldly challenges her teacher at school when the teacher falsely claims:

"Since the Islamic Republic was founded, we no longer have political prisoners."

Marji speaks out, revealing the truth:

"You say that we don’t have political prisoners anymore. But we’ve gone from 3,000 prisoners under the Shah to 300,000 under your regime."

She also mentions that her own uncle was executed by the Islamic regime. This was extremely risky.

Speaking against the government at school was seen as a crime, and many students could be expelled, imprisoned, or even executed for "being against Islam."

After realizing how serious the danger has become, Marji’s parents make the heartbreaking decision:

They must send Marji out of Iran alone - to protect her life and future.

🎯 Student Challenge: If you were Marji, what would you do? 

➔ Would you speak out and risk your safety to expose the truth?

➔ Would you stay silent and protect yourself, even if you knew the truth was being hidden?

➔ What would matter more to you: honesty or survival?

➔ How would it feel to be forced to leave your family, culture, and country behind to stay safe?

📖Situation/Scenario:

In the chapter The Pill, Marji struggles to fit in with her new environment in Austria. She notices how different she is from the people around her - in background, beliefs, and appearance.

To avoid feeling excluded, she begins to adopt a new identity: changing the way she looks, acts, and even what she believes. It’s her way of surviving, but it also creates inner conflict.

This raises a difficult question many young people face:
Should we change ourselves to be accepted, or should we stay true to who we are - even if it means being isolated?

🎯 Student Challenge: If you were Marji, What would you do?
➔ Would you change your identity to fit in and avoid being judged?
➔ Would you stay true to your culture and values, even if others don’t accept you? 

➔ Is changing yourself to be accepted by others an act of courage - or is it a sign of giving up who you truly are?

Your Task: Create a 2-Panel Graphic Story

Title: Speak Up or Stay Silent? 

You will recreate a moment from The Dowry involving Marji and her teacher.

Storyboard Instructions:

🔲 Panel 1 

– The Teacher’s Statement
Use the exact quote from the teacher in the novel.
Show her body language and the classroom atmosphere.

– Marji’s Real Reaction
Use the exact quote Marji says in response.
Show her tone, expression, and how bold (or emotional) the moment is.

🔲 Panel 2 – Consequences in the Novel
Show what happened to Marji in the novel after she spoke out.

• What was the punishment or result?

• Use visuals and/or short captions to show the outcome.

🗣️ Class Presentation

When presenting, explain:

1. What the teacher said. 

2. How Marji reacted.

3. What consequences followed in the novel. 

Your Task: Create a 2-Panel Graphic Story

Title: Rebellion or Obedience? 

You will recreate the moment from Kim Wilde where Marji is stopped by the Women’s Guardians of the Revolution for wearing Western clothes (jeans, sneakers, makeup).

Storyboard Instructions:

🔲 Panel 1 

– The Guardians’ Threat
Use the exact quote or paraphrase from the novel showing what the Guardians say to Marji.
Show their uniforms, tone, body language, and the street setting.

– Marji’s Real Reaction
Use her actual response from the novel: how she lied and told a made-up story to avoid punishment.
Show her expression and the tension of the moment.

🔲 Panel 2 

– Consequences in the Novel
Show what Marji experienced afterward (fear, guilt, emotional release, etc.).
Use captions or visuals to show her emotional state after escaping arrest.

🗣️ Class Presentation

When presenting your storyboard, explain:

1. What the Guardians said.

2. How Marji reacted in the novel.

3. What happened to Marji in the novel - and what might have happened in your version (Panel 2)

Your Task: Create a 2-Panel Graphic Story

Title: The Veil – Resistance or Obedience?

Storyboard Instructions

🔲 Panel 1 

– The Rule Is Imposed
Show the moment when the veil became mandatory in Iran.

Use the exact quote from the novel. 

– Women Resist in the Streets
Show the protest scene from The Trip. Include:

• Margi raising her fist and saying:

• Protesters holding signs or shouting:

• Use the exact quote from the novel. 

🔲 Panel 2 

– The Consequences of Resistance
Show what happened to the women who protested - the beatings by the Guardians, chaos in the streets, Marji’s shock, and someone yelling:

• “The scarf or a beating!”
  Depict the fear, violence, or emotional impact on Marji and the protestors.

• 🗣️ Class Presentation Checklist

• When you present, explain:

• What happened when the rule was enforced.

• How Marji, her mother, and others resisted.

• What were the consequences - and how this reflects the veil as a symbol of oppression or identity

Your Task: Create a 2-Panel Graphic Story

Title: Confrontation or Forgiveness? – Chapter: The Croissant

 Storyboard Instructions

🔲 Panel 1 

– The Flashback: Realization
Show Marji remembering how Markus used or manipulated her emotionally.
Use a quote or paraphrased thought from her reflection.
  Include body language that shows pain, disappointment, or betrayal.

– Marji’s Real Reaction
Show what Marji did in the novel after realizing the truth - her emotional collapse, despair, or withdrawal.
Focus on her vulnerability, confusion, and feeling of being lost.

🔲 Panel 2 

– The Emotional Outcome
Show how ends:

Did Marji feel empowered after discovering Markus’s betrayal? Why or why not?

Do you think her reaction showed strength or weakness?

• Does she feel empowered?

• Still heartbroken but stronger?

• Relieved, angry, or at peace?

🗣️ Class Presentation

When presenting your graphic story, explain:

1. What Marji remembered about Markus.

2. How she reacted in the novel.

3. What your emotional outcome was.

Your Task: Create a 2-Panel Graphic Story

Title: Struggling Between Two Identities – Will You Keep Yours?

Storyboard Instructions

🔲 Panel 1 

– The Question or Mockery
Show the moment when Marji is asked about her nationality or mocked for being Iranian.
Use or paraphrase a line from the novel,

– Marji’s Real Reaction
Show how Marji actually responded — she lied and said she was from another country.
Show her discomfort, inner conflict, or effort to “blend in.”

Panel 2 – Emotional Consequence

Show how Marji feels afterward 

• Proud of being honest?

• Ashamed for hiding the truth?

• Relieved, empowered, or angry?

Use facial expressions, symbols, or body language to show her emotional state after choosing to hide or keep her identity.

🗣️ Class Presentation

When sharing your storyboard, explain:

1. What was said to Marji.

2. How she responded in the novel.

3. What her choice says about her values and identity.