Plot & Key Elements (RL.8.2)
What country does Vladek live in at the beginning of Maus 1?
Poland
One major theme of Maus 1 is survival will be the key. True or False
True
Who is telling the main story in Maus 1
Vladek Spiegelman
What animals represent Jews in Maus 1?
Mice
Is this sentence active or passive?
"The Nazis captured the Jews."
Active
What major historical event shapes the plot of Maus 1?
The Holocaust/WW2
How does Maus 1 show the theme of fear?
Through hiding, constant danger, and betrayal
How is Vladek described as a character?
Clever, cautious, and sometimes difficult
Why are Nazis shown as cats?
cats are natural predators of mice
Is this sentence active or passive?
"The Jews were captured by the Nazis"
Passive
Why does Vladek and Anja's family begin to hide?
Because Jews are being targeted by the Nazis.
Which theme is shown through Vladek saving food and money?
Survival and Scarcity
How does Anja support Vladek during the war?
Emotionally and by helping make decisions
What does the animal symbolism help the reader understand?
Rewrite this sentence in active voice
"Vladek was helped by Anja."
Anja helped Vladek.
What happen to Richieu during the war?
He is poisoned by his caretaker to avoid being taken by the Nazis
How does the theme of family appear in Maus 1, during the war?
Family members try to protect each other during the war
How does Art change his viewpoint on his father as he listens to his father's story?
He becomes more aware of his father's trauma.
How does simple language affect the story's tone?
it makes the events feel more serious and real
Rewrite this sentence in passive voice:
"The guards separated families."
Families were separated by the guards.
How does the framing story (Art interviewing Vladek) connect to the main plot?
It shows how the past affects the present and Art's relationship with his father.
Explain how guilt is a theme in Maus 1
Survivors feel guilt for living while others died.
How do Vladek's experiences explain his behavior in the present?
Why does Spiegelman use a graphic novel format?
To visually show emotion, fear, and historical events
Why might an author use passive voice when describing historical events?
To focus on what happen rather than who did it.