PERSEPOLIS THE STORY OF A CHILDHOOD

by Jamie LeComb and Matt Christian

AllusionA reference to a

historical figure, place, or event

The kids were pretending that they were revolutionary leaders:

“I am Fidel. Today my name is Che Guevara. And I want to Trotsky” (page 10)

AnalogyA broad comparison

between two basically different things that have some points in common.

Marji was comparing Karl Marx and God

“It was funny to see how much Marx and God looked like each other” (page 13)

Simile

A direct comparison between two basically different things. A simile is introduced by the words “like” or “as”.

Marji was talking to God:

“Don’t you think I look like Che Guevara?” (page 16)

Metaphor

An implied comparison between two basically different things. Is not introduced with the words “like” or “as”.

“We’ve got physical education, but we’re not going. We’re going for burgers” … “I had already broken the rules once by going to the demonstration in ‘79” (page 111)

HYPERBOLEA great

exaggeration to emphasize strong feeling.

Marji was talking about the war:

“When I think we could have avoided it all… it just makes me sick. 1 million people would still be alive.” (page 116)

apostropheHuman characteristics

are given to non-human animals, objects, or ideas.

Marji and God have an argument:

“Marji, what seems to be the problem?” “Shut up you! Get out of my life!!! I never want to see you again!” (page 70)

Personification

An absent person or inanimate object is directly spoken to as though they were present.

“And it came closer! And it came closer! (Page 34)”

A jackal is talking to Marji.

synecdocheA part stands for the

whole or vice versa.“It is Anwar al-Sadat

who will Accept him in his country (page 43).”

The news anchor was talking about the Shah’s future.

FORESHADOWINGHints given to the

reader of what is to come.

“The TV showed a map of Iran and a black cloud covering the country little by little”(page 78)

Marji and her parents were watching TV when they saw that Iraq was slowly conquering Iran.

Imagery

The use of concrete details that appeal to the five senses.

“Now that Tehran was under attack, many fled. The city was deserted(page 137)”

ironyA contrast

between what is said and what is meant. Also, when things turn out different than what is expected.

“Quick! Call them! No ones answering!!”

“ Did you try her mother?”

“ I tried her place too, but she's deaf!”(page 89)

MOODThe overall

atmosphere or prevailing emotional feeling of a work.

“I saw a turquoise bracelet it was Neda’s her aunt had given it to her for her birthday… The bracelet was still attached to… I don’t know what. No scream in the world could have relieved my suffering and anger. (page 142)”

ParadoxA seemingly self-

contradictory statement that still is true.

I had found myself with the neworn baby we had been celebrating in my arms. Her mother had already abandoned her (page 107)”

plot

A series of events that present and resolve a conflict. The story being told.

“Marji, run to the basement! We’re being bombed (page 71)”

“140 Iranian bombers attacked Baghdad today… HA! HA!(page 84)”

Point of viewThe vantage point from

which an author presents the action in a work.

“For a revolution to succeed the entire population must support it.”(page 17)

settingThe time (both the

time of day and period in history) and place in which the action of a literary work takes place.

“In 1979: A revolution took place. It was later called ‘The Islamic revolution’. Then came 1980: The year it became obligatory to wear the veil at school.”(page 3)

repetition

The repeating of a sound, word, phrase, or more in a given literary work.

“Let them be alive. Let them be alive. Let them…”

(Page 140)

alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words.

“We waited for him for hours. There was the same silence as before a storm (page 30)”

Marji and her mother and grandmother were waiting for her father to come home from a demonstration.

onomatopoeia The use of words

whose sounds suggest the sounds made by objects or activities.

“Every time there was a knock on my door I thought they were coming to take my father to prison (page 24)”

THEME The use of words

whose sounds suggest the sounds made by objects or activities.

“I will always be true to myself (page 151)”

That’s all Folks!