Maus
PROLOGUE
1. What is your first impression of Vladek Spiegelman? What does his remark about friends suggest about his personality? How does it foreshadow revelations later in the book?
Our first impression of Vladek Spiegelman is that he is a man of stories and a man of wisdom. His remark about friendship suggests his own past of hardships and foreshadows his experiences during the holocaust.
THE SHEIK
1. What has happened to Artie’s mother?
Artie's mother--Anja, a holocaust survivor--has passed away from a suicide.
2. How does Vladek get along with Mala, his second wife?
Vladek and Mala never seem confortable living with each other and constantly bicker and complain about each other's actions.
3. How long has it been since Artie last visited his father? What do you think is responsible for their separation?
It's been two years since Artie last visited his father. Their poor relationship probably has something to do with Anja's suicide and her lack of a note.
4. How does Vladek respond when Artie first asks him about his life in Poland? Why might he be reluctant to talk about those years?
Vladek is unsure why others would like to know the story of his life in Poland. He may have been reluctant to talk about those stories because of the atrocities they deal with and the emotions they evoke.
5. On page 12 we see a close up of Vladek as he pedals his exercise bicycle. What is the meaning of the numbers tattooed on his wrist? How does this single image manage to convey information that might occupy paragraphs of text?
The numbers tattooed on Vladek's wrist were used to idenify prisoners in Nazi camps. This single image tells a lot about Vladek, his past, and his resilience.
6. Describe Vladek’s relationship with Lucia Greenberg. How was he introduced to Anja Zyllberberg? Why do you think he chose her over Lucia?
Vladek wasn't having a very emotional connection with Lucia, when a friend introduces Anja. Vladek stays with Anja for her
1. What is your first impression of Vladek Spiegelman? What does his remark about friends suggest about his personality? How does it foreshadow revelations later in the book?
Our first impression of Vladek Spiegelman is that he is a man of stories and a man of wisdom. His remark about friendship suggests his own past of hardships and foreshadows his experiences during the holocaust.
THE SHEIK
1. What has happened to Artie’s mother?
Artie's mother--Anja, a holocaust survivor--has passed away from a suicide.
2. How does Vladek get along with Mala, his second wife?
Vladek and Mala never seem confortable living with each other and constantly bicker and complain about each other's actions.
3. How long has it been since Artie last visited his father? What do you think is responsible for their separation?
It's been two years since Artie last visited his father. Their poor relationship probably has something to do with Anja's suicide and her lack of a note.
4. How does Vladek respond when Artie first asks him about his life in Poland? Why might he be reluctant to talk about those years?
Vladek is unsure why others would like to know the story of his life in Poland. He may have been reluctant to talk about those stories because of the atrocities they deal with and the emotions they evoke.
5. On page 12 we see a close up of Vladek as he pedals his exercise bicycle. What is the meaning of the numbers tattooed on his wrist? How does this single image manage to convey information that might occupy paragraphs of text?
The numbers tattooed on Vladek's wrist were used to idenify prisoners in Nazi camps. This single image tells a lot about Vladek, his past, and his resilience.
6. Describe Vladek’s relationship with Lucia Greenberg. How was he introduced to Anja Zyllberberg? Why do you think he chose her over Lucia?
Vladek wasn't having a very emotional connection with Lucia, when a friend introduces Anja. Vladek stays with Anja for her