Maus: Questions Chapter 1
Maus: Study Questions
Chapter One: The Sheik
1. This is a graphic memoir. A graphic memoir tells a person’s life through text and drawings. Why does Art Spiegelman use mice instead of people to portray the characters in the story? What do the mice represent?
2. On page 11, Spiegelman tells us that his father’s second wife Mala was a survivor too, like most of his parents’ friends. Why does Spiegelman call Mala a survivor? What does he mean?
3. What kind of relationship does Art Spiegelman and his father, Vladek have? Use specific pictures and text to support your answer.
4. Why is the chapter called “The Sheik”?
5. Why does Vladek choose Anja over Lucia? What do you think of his choice?
6. Why does Vladek ask Art not to write about Lucia in his book? Why doesn’t Art listen to his father? Do you think it is right for Art to break his promise?
Chapter One: The Sheik
1. This is a graphic memoir. A graphic memoir tells a person’s life through text and drawings. Why does Art Spiegelman use mice instead of people to portray the characters in the story? What do the mice represent?
2. On page 11, Spiegelman tells us that his father’s second wife Mala was a survivor too, like most of his parents’ friends. Why does Spiegelman call Mala a survivor? What does he mean?
3. What kind of relationship does Art Spiegelman and his father, Vladek have? Use specific pictures and text to support your answer.
4. Why is the chapter called “The Sheik”?
5. Why does Vladek choose Anja over Lucia? What do you think of his choice?
6. Why does Vladek ask Art not to write about Lucia in his book? Why doesn’t Art listen to his father? Do you think it is right for Art to break his promise?