It seems quite appropriate alluding to the moment I turned a single page to read the first panel of ‘Persepolis:

The Story of a Childhood’. Not because it was an obvious instance, but the mere epiphany realizing I was
about to read a graphical novel. However, it was pleasant surprise because it was contrary to my
expectations of a text-driven book for the summer. The graphics definitely enhanced the experience and
ultimately the process of reading the book because it allowed for me to focus on the plot and dialogue as
opposed to a vague perception of the author’s use of imagery in a regular novel. Nonetheless, I have been
reading non-graphical fiction novels for a long time so the absence of wide visual interpretation fueled by
imagination was clearly noticeable whilst reading the book. One the other hand, there was an improvement
in terms of experiencing the story that was prevalent in Persepolis that wasn’t in a regular novel; the
emotional investment in characters. In my humble opinion based on personal experience, the investment in
characters while reading the graphical novel was more vivid than a regular novel in the characters because I
have access to the gestures and expressions of them. As I progressed through the book, both sides of my
brain were stimulated; one processes text information and the other processes the visual stimuli, resulting in
a collective perception of the book. To conclude, all of these factors change how effectively I can
understand, then ultimately, analyze characters since I can now cite a particular graphical panel in addition
to the text.

The overall process of reading Persepolis was key for setting the fundamentals and was a factor of quality
for the in-class discussion, writing the summary and analysis portion of the assignment. During the
discussion, I took part in within a small group of four people, various questions I as well as others were
prompted to the group for a collective analysis. A question focused on in the discussion was how different
characters, including Marjane, were able to cope with the hardships they faced. At first, I struggled to think
of a cohesive answer because my mind was parsing the information from the reading experience. After a
few moments, I was able to put together how Marjane’s youth suffered the hardline Islamic Revolution.
However, I noticed the absence of an aspect in my analysis; the panels. As a result of not being accustomed
to graphical novels, the possibility of using the graphical panels was overlooked. This was also clear in my
writing sample, in addition to the teacher evaluation. Although my sample differentiated between summary
and analysis, that analysis portion lacked any sort of graphical analysis. Expressions and gestures from each
character could have aided the quotes I had cited from the book. On the other hand, I felt that my
interpretation of the events itself were relatively preferable, as opposed to the quality of graphical analysis.
In conclusion, a clear lack of panel analysis was evident because I am not accustomed to the nature, and
possibilities of analysis that arise within graphic novels.

Although wings to imagination perceiving image in a different way then intended by the author.
This reading if I am not careful we can ignore the text and just go through the visual
Carefully concentrate on the plot since it is just aiding the text
While I advance through the book, my both sides of the brain were stimulated (one that reads
and other that processes the visual stimuli into a collective experience which stimulated those
areas of the brain and assimilate them together.

In class discussion - Less appealing. Attention span shorter.

Writing the summary needs a soild grasp on the theme of the novel. This is what I felt
Initially, I would not think about a book
Again it also improves your ability to exclude the unnessecary and unclude the nessecary
Improved my literary skills
I believe it challenged religious and political views. Most useful
In order to improve unbiased vies.
Not used to graphical novels
1.Emphatize with the character ANALYZE. 2. You cannot let political views influence the
analysis.

Personally, after all the reading and writing exercises of Persepolis I aspire to write about the
controversial issues in a way which would not infuriate the people who have stronger views on
either side.