Maus (vol. 1 & 2) - Art Spiegelman – 0708a

Answer each question with a properly written paragraph. Be sure to include quotes, details from the text, and evidence. There are no simple answers here. If the answer seems simple, be sure to explain how you arrived at it. Turn this sheet of paper in stapled to the back of your answers.

1. Why does Spiegelman choose to portray the Germans, Poles, Jews, Americans, and French as the animals he does? What is he trying to say about these groups of people/animals?

2. How does the modern father-son story relate to the history story of the books? Why did Spiegelman put them together? Would the story work as well without the father-son part?

3. What was life like for the Jews in Nazi-controlled Eastern Europe as it is described in the book? What was life like BEFORE the camps? (Volume 1 mostly)

4. What was camp life like as described in Spiegelman's book? (Volume 2 mostly)

5. Was this cartoon as in-depth and valuable as a novel? What was missing and what was gained?