Persepolis, Lesson 11:Double Standards & True

ReligionL.O. gaining a better understanding of life in Iran and how Marjane copes

with this

Starter:•Discuss: what would you consider ‘true religion’ to mean?•Use this panel to explain what Satrapi considers true religion.

Marjane’s relationship

• In the chapter ‘The Exam’ Marjane meets her future husband, Reza. How would you describe their relationship? What are they both looking for in a partner?•Write the lonely hearts adverts Marjane and Reza might have put in the paper (if this were possible) describing what they were looking for. (Use p281 / 282)

Marjane’s relationship in Iran•Go back to the notes on what is not allowed in Iran.•Discuss in pairs: How do the rules in Iran lead to the decisions Marjane makes in the chapters: The Exam / The Make up / The Convocation (= formal assembly)?•List all her decisions in these three chapters & write down which rules are connected to them.

Different values and beliefs•Discuss as a class:•Two people are seen to have very clear morals and beliefs in these three chapters: the Mullah who interviews Marjane for the ideological test and Marjane’s grandmother.•What do these two people believe in & what does Marjane learn from them?•What do we , as an audience, learn from these examples?

Religion & Art•Research & then discuss the following splash with regard to the (mix of) culture it shows and what it tells us about of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Plenary•How do the three chapters we discussed today help Marjane Satrapi reach her purpose of showing the world that ‘an entire nation should not be judged by the wrongdoings of a few extremists’