Mr. Coward and Mr. Brazil: 8th Grade English

Maus Study Questions: Chapter 4: "The Noose Tightens" (10 points total)

  1. (2) In Chapter 4, on page 77, we see Vladek dealing in the "black market".  How does he make money this way?  Why would there be laws making this illegal?

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  3. On page 79, why is Anja's father "so unhappy!"  He has already been cheated out of his factories.  Why would a bit of furniture upset him so much?

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  5. (2) On page 82, we hear the term "ghetto".  What does that word mean to you?  What did it mean to the Jews in Poland?

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  7. (3) On 83, why are the men/mice hanging?  Who are those men/mice?  What was their crime?

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  9. (2) After seeing his business associates hanging, why does Vladek continue with his "black market" dealings?  Does he consider his dealings to be immoral or just illegal?
Maus Chapter 4: "Vocabulary Words" True/False A-Go-Go: (15 points total)
  1. ( T / F ) Vladek knew Mala, back when he and Anja lived in Poland. (hint: see page 11).

  2.  
  3. ( T / F ) Vladek's subjective opinion is that he had a very happy marriage with Anja.

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  5. ( T / F ) Vladek's subjective opinion is that he has a very happy marriage with Mala.

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  7. ( T / F ) Vladek is a diligent, fussy, old man with many idiosyncrasies.

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  9. ( T / F ) An objective observer might view questions 2, 3, and 4 differently than Vladek.

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  11. ( T / F ) According to your own subjective opinion, Vladek is an easy guy to live with.

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  13. ( T / F ) Question 6 has only one right answer.

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  15. ( T / F ) Brother-in-law Wolfe collaborates with the Nazi occupying force.

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  17. ( T / F ) Vladek would rather risk his own life, and Richieu's, than collaborate with Nazi's.

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  19. ( T / F ) You could consider the situation in question 9 a dilemma.

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  21. ( T / F ) In Maus, we see that Germans and (non-Jewish) Poles discriminate against Jews.

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  23. ( T / F ) In Maus, we see the Germans devise many ways to segregate the Jews in Poland.

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  25. ( T / F ) Vladek can dissemble gracefully, even in very dangerous situations.

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  27. ( T / F ) Vladek's father will probably die if he chooses to help his daughter Fela.

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  29. ( T / F ) Fela and her children will probably die, even if Vladek's father tries to help them.