Persepolis

Juan Hernandez

11/20/13

Block 2

Persepolis

The graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, she talks about her childhood and all the way until she is an adult. Growing up for her is really tough because there are constant murders in Iran, she lives on her own for a long time, and she has to deal with internal and external problems. Johan Bennett is stating that Persepolis should be banned in the Santa Maria Joint Union School District. She said, “It is a poor choice for a graphic novel for 10^th graders.” The graphic novel Persepolis should not be banned.

Johan Bennett says that Persepolis is a poor choice of a graphic novel because it has crass language, violence, torture, sexual content, and inappropriate images. Persepolis is about Marji having to grow up surrounded by violence and showing us how bad it was in Iran. Marjane is only showing what she has been through. Johan Bennett is only talking about the bad stuff that happens, but there are plenty of lessons to learn in this graphic novel.

One reason that this graphic novel should not be banned is because there are many people who can relate to Marjane and the country Iran. For example, people can relate to Marjane because throughout the novel she constantly has problems like, lying to people, continuing her education, paying for her rent, and trying to survive on her own. This is important because many people go through situations like these. In addition, there are countries that have things in common with Iran. For example, countries have very strict rules, dress codes, and their religion. This is important because it shows that there are other countries that are similar to Iran.

Another reason why Persepolis should not be banned is because it teaches you many new things about a different country. For example, Persepolis mostly takes place in Iran, which many people who haven’t read this novel do not know many things about. There are many things about Iran that people might have not known about. Such as their strict dress code, and why women wear the veil. Also about the shah getting thrown out and the war inside their own country. Persepolis is not only a good book, but it is a good way to learn about a new country and how it was like to grow up in Iran.

The graphic novel Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi, should not be banned from schools. Persepolis is a really good book. It is a different type of book that can teach you new things from her experiences and from Iran.