Persepolis
This recurring visual motif in the graphic novel represents both physical and ideological darkness during the Islamic Revolution.
What is the veil
Kathy's job in the novel
What is a carer?
The recurring motif of this Christmas decoration symbolises the artificiality of Nora's marriage
What is the Christmas tree?
This color appears repeatedly throughout the collection, particularly in the title story, symbolizing both passion and death
What is red?
Where the play opens
What is a jail cell?
The contrast between realistic and simplified drawing styles shows...
What shows the shift between the personal and political?
The student's art being collected by the gallery is a symbol of...
What is their humanity / soul
Nora's secret eating of these symbolises her rebellion
What are macaroons?
In the snow child, the count's specific wishes for the child's features mirror this fairy tale.
What is Snow White?
'time and space are awash here' - the importance of this quote
the significance of time and imagination - the jail cell is imaginary and cannot contain henry
This Western philosopher's writings become young Marji's constant companion, representing her struggle with faith and ideology.
What is Descartes?
The significance of the Judy Bridgewater cassette tape
The depths of human love / foreshadows the loss Kathy will later experience
This nickname Torvald uses for Nora reveals his infantilizing view of her.
The countess's dropping of her items creates this symbolic pattern throughout the story.
What is the transfer of life/power from one female to another?
Waldo forgetting the name of his best friend signifies...
How easily he will betray Henry
This childhood game Marji plays with her friends mirrors the political torture happening in Iranian prisons.
What is execution?
The euphemistic language used throughout the novel (like "completing" instead of dying) reflects this theme
What is societal denial/willful ignorance of cruelty?
The final sound at the end of the play
What is the door slamming?
The Lady of The House of Love: The Lady's compulsive card-reading always reveals this card, foreshadowing her fate.
What is death?
The reason Henry is in jail
Resistance / not paying taxes
The recurring image of keys floating in black panels creates this visual effect.
What is the representation of mass matrydom?
This narrative style makes Kathy seem more like an ordinary human being so the reader can easily connect with her
Kathy's colloquial and informal style
Dr. Rank's inherited disease symbolizes this theme in the play.
The sins of fathers / inherited social corruption
The Bloody Chamber: a symbol of restraint imposed on the heroine as a result of her marriage and foreshadows her death
What is the ruby choker?
An example of how thought can transcend confinement
Henry can hear birdsong in jail