Persepolis Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 - The Veil

• Marji, a 10-year-old girl, begins attending school in 1980 Iran.
• Government mandates that girls wear veils in public, which the students resist.
• Marji aspires to become a prophet and believes she communicates with God.

Chapter 2 - The Bicycle

• History of Iran spans "2500 years of tyranny and submission."
• A tragic event occurs when the government burns a movie theater, killing many.
• Marji longs to join a protest against the police but is forbidden by her parents.

Chapter 3 - The Water Cell

• Marji's parents actively protest against the king.
• She learns about the British role in placing the king in power for oil interests.
• Marji's grandfather, once Prime Minister, was imprisoned and tortured in a water cell.

Chapter 4 - Persepolis

• Marji's grandmother shares her struggles and losses due to political arrests.
• Fear arises when Marji's father is late returning from a demonstration.
• She starts reading extensively to grasp the concept of revolution.

Chapter 5 - The Letter

• Marji recognizes social class divides, particularly through her maid Mehri's love life.
• The revelation that Mehri is a maid leads to her rejection by a boy, illustrating class barriers.
• Marji and Mehri participate in a government demonstration despite parental concerns.

Chapter 6 - The Party

• A regime change in Iran brings mixed emotions; Marji's parents show skepticism.
• Marji bullies a classmate linked to the secret police, prompting a lesson in forgiveness from her mother.

Chapter 7 - The Heroes

• 3000 political prisoners, including friends of Marji's family, are released.
• Mohsen recounts his torture, which captivates Marji but later overwhelms her.

Chapter 8 - Moscow

• Marji admires her Uncle Anoosh, who shares stories of political struggles and imprisonment.
• Anoosh's heroism is highlighted through his resistance against the government and subsequent imprisonment.

Chapter 9 - The Sheep

• As the Islamic Revolution intensifies, Marji experiences loss and fear with the arrest of Uncle Anoosh.
• She feels abandoned when Anoosh is executed, leading to her rejection of God.

Chapter 10 - The Trip

• The Iranian government enforces strict regulations, including mandatory veils for women.
• Marji witnesses violence during a demonstration; her family vacation to Spain occurs amid unrest.

Chapter 11 - The F-14s

• Marji confronts the harsh reality of war as Iraqi jets bomb Iran.
• She learns of her friend's father's death, highlighting the personal toll of heroism.

Chapter 12 - The Jewels

• Food scarcity leads to familial tensions as war escalates.
• Marji's friend Mali and her family experience humiliation as refugees.

Chapter 13 - The Key

• Mourning rituals for war casualties become commonplace in Marji's school.
• Marji criticizes the absurdity of school routines and recognizes anti-war propaganda targeting children.

Chapter 14 - The Wine

• Secret parties are held amidst bombings, showcasing the desire for normalcy.
• Marji's family narrowly avoids disaster when caught by patrol enforcing strict laws.

Chapter 15 - The Cigarette

• Marji's exploration of rebellion includes peer pressure and new friendships.
• Smoking a cigarette symbolizes her quest for maturity and independence.

Chapter 16 - The Passport

• Uncle Taher's need for an urgent passport reveals bureaucratic difficulties in Iran.
• Tragedy strikes as Uncle Taher dies shortly after a passport arrives.

Chapter 17 - Kim Wilde

• Marji's parents travel to Turkey, bringing back gifts despite risky customs.
• Her resistance against a moral enforcer highlights her growing defiance.

Chapter 18 - The Shabbat

• A bombing hits Marji's neighborhood, resulting in the death of her friend Neda.
• The trauma impacts Marji deeply, leading her to emotional distress.

Chapter 19 - The Dowry

• Following Neda's death, Marji's rebellious actions grow, culminating in expulsion.
• Her parents choose to send her to school in Vienna, marking a pivotal transitional moment.

Key Characters and Terms

• Uncle Anoosh: Marji’s revered uncle, executed for his political beliefs; symbolizes her inspiration.
• Mehri: The family's maid, whose love story exemplifies class struggles in society.
• Ramin: Bully-victimized schoolmate, highlighting the impact of parents' actions on children.
• Mohsen Shakiba: Political prisoner whose stories reveal the brutal realities of oppression.
• Reza Khan: His rise to power initiated a conflict over Iran's oil resources and governance.
• Mali: Represents the impact of war on families and the concept of materialism amid devastation.
• Neda Baba-Levy: Marji’s friend whose tragic death exemplifies personal loss through war.
• Marjane (Marji): Protagonist; her growth and rebellion reflect the struggle for identity amid political upheaval.