Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the play over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Throughout the novel, Marjane’s personal faith collides with the revolution in Iran.

• How is Marjane’s personal faith different from the ideals espoused by the Revolution? (topic sentence)
• Find three examples in which her personal faith and the Revolution do not align.
• To conclude, discuss how her relationship with God changes or stays the same by the end of the novel.

2. Throughout the novel, Marjane is concerned with her father’s patriotism for Iran as well as his heroism as compared with her peers’ fathers.

• What type of actions does Marjane consider to be heroic? (topic sentence)
• Identify three examples in which Marjane is concerned with her father’s heroism.
• Conclude by discussing whether Marjane believes her father is a hero at the end of the novel and why or why not.

3. Marjane expresses her opposition to the Iranian government by participating in rebellious acts within the novel.