Emotional Expressions

Maus is filled with emotions. Art Spiegelman is frustrated at his father for not keeping his mother's journals and other personal items. Vladek is saddened when he remembers his family. What literary and artistic techniques does Art Speigelman use to get these emotions across to the readers? How does this Maus II differ from Maus I regarding to the Holocaust experience. Do you like it better thus far or do you prefer Maus I?

Memory

The creation of Maus appeared to be a struggle for Speigelman. He had to constantly encourage his father to discuss his story. Do you trust his father's memory? Do you believe that the story is authentic? how would the inclusion of his mother's diary help authenticate Vladek's story? Would the inclusion of Mala's memories help make the story more authentic? Share your opinion with concrete examples from the text.

Whose Story Is It?

In Maus II you learn more about Artie. How is Maus BOTH a story of a Holocaust Survivor as well as the story of the CHILD of a survivor and what the child has to go through?

Authenticity of MEMORY....

Artie tries to ensure authenticity in his reporting of his father's story. What steps does he take to try to make Maus as accurate as possible? Explain your response with textual evidence.

Visual Representations

In your opinion, what does the visual representation add to the story? Support your response by referencing specific panels.

Pre WWII Europe

Describe Artie and Anja's life before WWII? How were they similar to young adults today? How were their lives different?

Maus ... a GRAPHIC NOVEL that INFORMS...

Art Spiegelman was born in Sweeden and immigrated to the USA when he was young. His parents are both Holocaust survivors and, after his mother's death, he was compelled to tell their story. To read more about the author Art Spiegelman, follow this link. As you begin to read Maus, what are your first impressions? Have you ever read a GRAPHIC NOVEL? What do you think about the genre? Have you read any other graphic novels? Is this genre appropriate for conveying history?