Dated: 5th September

In today's class we analyzed page 22 of the book. We had to comment on the layout, the text and the figures (first, individually then discussing with a partner). One of the most important panels according to me was the one where her dad's face is shown - hung in shame, disappointment. Half of it is dark - denoting sadness. On the same page we figured out the essence of the figure with Marji fantasizing her grandfather as a prince. The handwriting, especially, stood out to me because it looked like the handwriting of fairytales - implying Marji's innocence. Mrs. Chaplin said that it bought intimacy - the sense of being one. The lines for the dream or the wind show the fantasy/heavenly feeling - they being ethereal (a new word).
Then we had a list of themes we figured out: Shame, Pride and Surprised disappointment. Our task was to write a brief summary with a title about our life on one of these topics. I wrote about shame. We also needed to expand our writing.

According to me, this activity (or these activities) gave me a chance to think of those sad moments and consider how I would have coped up with them now, after 4 years.
It will also help me for the supervised writing that will be done at the end of the book. I am really worried about it...unless not a strong and likable topic, I struggle to write the reflections.

About the book: I feel that the pages that we examined made an impact because they showed so many different emotions - one thing that flows throughout the book.
Marjane's connection to the royal blood also makes a difference because it emphasizes why she has such political views for Iran.

Dated 3rd September 2012

We first discussed the kind of Chapter Titles our graphic novel should have. Mrs Chaplin presented hers and then we discussed other classmates titles. I found that my titles gave away a little more than they should and were not possessing a kind of technique that others had. I will work on that - I have to because the current story I am writing on Wattpad will need proper titles.

Then we were given three papers. One was The Journal paper which will guide us on how to write our journal.
Second was the Text/Figures and Layout sheet that detailed us on the styles, content and structure of a graphics novel. We had to list one of the listed from each section for the first page of the novel.
Third was a comprehension like exercise for the first two chapter of the book - The Veil and The Bicycle.

Our main aim was to discuss the text, the figures and the layout techniques.

Layout: We discussed that the first page had panels, frames a regular gutter and graphic weight. It also had a bleed.
   Panel = combination of picture and text
   Frame = lines and borders containing panels
   Gutter = space between framed panels (most gutters are regular showing constant flow (no individuality)
   Foreground = panel closest to viewer
   Mid ground = centering of image (one of my classmates suggested that the pic of the revolution was in the centre showing that the revolution was in the centre - the main of Iran when Satrapi describes the scene.
  Background = extra info.
  Graphic Weight = use of shades, repetitions (I wrote graphic weight because I believe that color of black and white, not only show the past, but also the gloomy and dark side of the novel)

Figures:
Faces = the expressions, standing out (on the first page, all the children's faces are shown sad - depicting the horror of the revolution
Hands/Legs = specific movements  (again, the revolution picture shows the hand movement of protest - a fist - showing the want of victory and justice)

Text:
Captions = boxes containing details - widely used on page 1 to give details to the readers
Speech balloons = character speaking
Special effects lettering = words that draw attention due to print - the arabic word on page 1 confirms our belief that Marjane is in an Islamic world.

I think that it was quite a productive lesson today. All these things were completely new to me. I will need to learn them properly!!
I felt that I was living my IGCSE's again with all the techniques discussions of assonance, onomatopoeia. It was a sort of good revision because you know two months can really spoil your memory!!
Coming back to the main activity, I think that the text and figures part is pretty obvious - however I found remembering the layout a little intimidating. But I guess we still have lesson time and will be able to work through it.

I think I am really good at analyzing with the color schemes, somehow and I love empathizing. Sometimes I try hard to find a deeper meaning which may ask me to show more reasons - which I feel that I know but cannot put it in words. By analyzing a lot - I tend to toughen things up for myself.

I am glad that all of us had prior knowledge to Islam, Iran and the revolution because when we first looked through the page we could understand the reason of the Veil being forced on the girls - these all little details would help us because we can analyze better. For me, have lived in Dubai, an Islamic country, I could really relate to these terms of the Sharia Law - the Veil, the forcing. However, the games that the girls play, hurts me or is difficult to accept because at that age when they are supposed to  be talking about Cinerella and their Barbie's new shoes - they are talking about being terrorists and revolting.
I remember, for the veil especially, how many friend right at the age of 14, had to start wearing the head scarf. I never asked her because I did not want to create an unnecessary debate. (I sometimes get really radical which I hate about myself)
Just analyzing the first page gives out a lot of detail - the conditions in which Marjane spent some crucial years, the conditions of the people - mental especially. Marjane's descriptions and drawings really help you to know what Exactly was going on. Unlike in other novels, where you just imagine things, here you are seeing what is wanting to be shown to you.

Presentation Days

We had presentations - My group - Geneva, Terrie, Micaela. We made it on Islam. According to me it was a good one. All of us had put in equal amount of efforts. I was a bit nervous while explaining but I felt better because I knew that I had lived around this religion for a long time and I was used to everything we researched about.
I forgot to mention the Thousand Splendid Suns tho!!!
then we had Albina's group who spoke about Iran. They gave details but somehow it couldn't keep my concentration. I learnt about Persia and all but I think I missed out on a few parts because of some sort of distraction.
Ours was quite long so they didn't get to finish theirs.

Presentation day 2

We hardly had any time today because we had the school photo! However, Shail's group started theirs - Iranian Revolution. It was pretty interactive as they asked for our thoughts prior their presentation - it was a little exercise which would help keep us concentrated.

BTW, we are told to write our own graphics novel's first page!!!

Presentation day 3

Finally today we finished the presentation. Shail's groups presentation was quite detailed and I believe that it is good because we got a better perspective on what was going on in the country during the revolution and how Marjane related her story to it.

Lesson 3 and further

In today's lesson we discussed about Persepolis. We were asked to analyze the first page of the book and find out themes. Some themes were apparent like anger and personal identity. Geneva pointed out - Innocence. I was so glad she did that because it gave me another perspective. We then discussed and listed out the themes we saw on the page - and were to be seen throughout the book - anger, freedom, innocence.

We also wrote about our idea of personal freedom. Here it is: No bars or regulations on any activity like  expressing your feelings, opinions and space for myself.

I learnt a new word : Bildings Roman: a journey that changes a person or leads to finding ones self.
We also discussed why the book is a graphics novel. I think that Satrapi wanted to show the readers what was going on. Normally, when we are reading we form our own images which may not exactly be the way the author wants you to see. In this book, it becomes easier for the readers because Satrapi shows you what she wants you to see. It emphasizes on the themes as we can see the happenings and the misery. Often, graphic novels engage readers more than just a normal novel.
'A Picture paints a thousand words' is the phrase Ms. Chaplin talked about. It is true and I totally agree with her. A person's expressions in a picture can tell a lot of things.

The color of the book also plays an important role. The black and white, according to me, signifies the darkness - the misery throughout the Iranian revolution for Marji and her family and surroundings. Again, I revised my IGCSE literature when Shail reminded that its called Pathetic Fallacy. (a vacation can really make you forget things you shouldn't forget :P )

All in all, I think it was a great lesson. Mainly because I had already read half of Persepolis and could easily relate to what Ms. Chaplin was trying to tell us. I could think of the themes, the placements and everything.


                            xxx

p.s. On Saturday, the 25th of August, I finished reading Persepolis :) It is an awesome book. Marji's character really forces you to empathize. You can cry with her, laugh to no end and Enjoy yourself thoroughly. She kept me engrossed.
And I derived that holding a book in your hand is much better than an e-book.
I even did some research, there are two more sequels to Persepolis...really want to read them soon!

Lesson 2

In todays lesson, we were given our papers from last time back. I felt happy because from the comments I received, I gathered that I wrote well.
Ms. Chaplin said that we should finish reading at least half of Persepolis by the next lessons. I LOVE Persepolis. Even my dad liked it (he read the first few pages)

We were divided into there groups - Iran, Islam and Iranian Revolution. Our team - Micaela, Geneva, Terrie and I are doing Islam. TOO much to research :) it is difficult as I progress because there is a lot a lot a lot of detail and I don't know where to cut it short and make it simpler.

I am trying to devise, with my team, some ideas that will keep the other groups attention on us.

I really hope we can do well as we are all going to be marked on it.

Lesson 1

This was my first lesson of English Literature HL. We discussed our course - the books (only a few of them).
I found Persepolis to be quite interesting of course since it was about a girl. Whenever I get to read a story that relates to a girl in a turbulent situation, I seem to look forward to getting engrossed into it. And again, who does not like comics?
I am interested by the story of the Death and the Maiden. Probably, it is going to be about the themes of honour, subservience of women, etc. (something like the themes of Much Ado About Nothing which I did for my IGCSEs).

We were given two topics to discuss about. We wrote 300-400 on it. For e-books I strongly felt that it may kill reading because of various factors. I know that the technology is advancing. But for me, it is still very difficult to study or read without a book in the hand.
Ms. Chaplin was talking about the smell of the book and how it is pleasing. I totally agree with her. I too love that smell. 

Introduction

This is my English Literature blog where I will be writing my reflective journal.