The student demonstrates a thorough understanding of the literal meaning of *Persepolis*, effectively analyzing Marjane's experiences during the Iranian Revolution and the emotional impact of her wartime experiences. They also convincingly interpret the indirect meaning of the text, particularly how fear influences Marjane's self-perception and growth. However, the student fails to provide a focused and informative thesis statement in the introduction, which leads to a lack of coherence in the exploration of the thesis throughout the essay. Additionally, the analysis needs to be more insightful, addressing larger implications and societal values, as well as ensuring that references are well-chosen and directly support the arguments presented. Overall, while the student's understanding of the text is evident, improvements are needed in the thesis formulation and its connection to the analysis.