Persepolis is an award-winning graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi that tells the story of her childhood in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that offers a unique perspective on Iranian culture, history, and politics. If you plan on teaching Persepolis in your classroom, here are some tips that can help you create a successful learning experience for your students.

(Not sure if this is the novel for you and your class? Check out this blog post to learn why you should teach Persepolis!)

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Teaching Persepolis Tip #1: Build Lots of Background Knowledge

Before I could create my Persepolis unit, I had to do a lot of learning myself. It took me a long time to feel competent with the historical and cultural context of the novel. Give your students a helping hand by breaking it down for them.

Persepolis is set against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution and the subsequent Islamic Republic of Iran. To help your students understand the complex political and cultural landscape of this period, provide them with some historical context. 

Luckily, there are a ton of helpful resources out there! Documentaries, articles, or books can help students understand the social and political climate of Iran during that time. Supplemental resources will give your students a deeper understanding of the events and themes portrayed in Persepolis.

I start my Persepolis unit with a simple slideshow that breaks down the basics of the Iranian Revolution. (It also generally introduces the novel, the author, and other important ideas.)

I also have my students do a WebQuest that focuses on the revolution, the veil, and Islam. When students understand these topics, they can spend more time focusing on Persepolis’s story.

Teaching Persepolis Tip #2: Embrace the Graphic Novel

One of the unique aspects of Persepolis is its format as a graphic novel. 

Illustrations, in addition to text, help your students engage with the story. They also help your students understand–and empathize–with the characters more deeply.

Use this to your advantage and incorporate visual analysis activities to help students understand the importance of imagery in storytelling.

Before we start reading Persepolis, I spend some time diving into the graphic novel genre with my students. 

In my How to Read a Graphic Novel Lesson, I discuss with students the unique features of graphic novels. In this lesson, I share tips for analyzing comic book panels. Students also label the parts of a graphic novel and interact with some very basic comics. 

Throughout the unit, students will have to analyze Satrapi’s illustrations–not just her words–to understand the story. Each panel provides more opportunities for students to practice their graphic analysis skills. 

At the end of the unit, I have students create their own comics as a summative assessment. It’s a fun activity that forces students to really think about how they can use text and images together to tell a simple story. 

Taking the time to really learn about graphic novels will help your students down the road. Not only will you be able to introduce them to more, but they’ll be better equipped to analyze images on their own.

Teaching Persepolis Tip #3: Make Connections to Current Events

The historical events of Persepolis, while recent in the context of human history, will feel very far away for your students–historically and geographically. Help make the text feel relevant by connecting its events with today. 

While the Iranian Revolution occurred in 1979, the consequences of it are still being felt today. In fact, the Iranian protests that began in 2022 (and are still occurring at the writing of this post) are arguably the direct result of that original revolution. 

I use an activity that asks students to compare and contrast the protests in Iran in 1979 and 2022. Afterward, students write a short response.

You could also watch news reports or watch interviews from 2022 to help students understand Persepolis’s relevance to today. 

Teaching Persepolis Tip #4: Incorporate Multimedia Resources

To further engage your students, consider incorporating multimedia resources such as music, film, and art. These can provide a deeper understanding of Iranian culture and history and the broader themes and issues presented in the book.

An easy way to do this is to make full use of YouTube. You can find a short video to supplement pretty much any lesson or big idea you wish to convey. There are lots of interviews with the author and tons of videos to assist with explaining the historical or cultural context of the text. 

I try to include some video supplements in nearly all of my Persepolis lessons. (Most of my Persepolis resources include suggested videos you can add to the lessons.)

There’s also the Persepolis movie itself. When you’re ready to take a break from text, you and your students can watch the Persepolis film. Satrapi was part of its creation and the movie holds true to the novel from the art style to its plot. 

Teaching Persepolis Tip #5: Create a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment 

This goes without saying, obviously, but some extra care might be required with this unit. 

Persepolis deals with sensitive topics, such as war, violence, and political oppression. Create a safe and respectful learning environment in which your students can share their thoughts and feelings about the book without fear of judgment. Encourage open and honest discussions, and provide resources for students who may need additional support.

If you have positive and helpful counselors or librarians in your building, you could ask them to join you for discussions or to provide helpful resources. 

Conclusion 

Teaching Persepolis can be a rewarding experience for both you and your students.

By providing historical and cultural context, using graphic novels as a teaching tool, making real-world connections, incorporating multimedia resources, and creating a safe and respectful learning environment, you can help your students develop a deeper understanding of Iranian history and culture, as well as the themes and issues presented in the book.

If you’re ready to begin teaching Persepolis but find yourself short on time, grab my complete done-for-you Persepolis Unit!