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

Maus II Study Questions: Chapter 1: "Mauschwitz" (40 points total)

  1. (2) Maus II is dedicated to Richieu and Nadja. For 1 point each, identify these two children.

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  2. What is the significance of the number 175113?

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  3. (2) Who is Francoise?  Why is Art Spiegelman unsure of how to draw her?

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  4. Vladek calls and says that he has had a heart attack.  What really happened?

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  5. What is your reaction to Mala's sudden departure?

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  6. How does Artie feel about Richieu?

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  7. (12) Compare Francoise to Anja and Mala: (the other two major female characters in Maus).


    8. -List positive attributes of each of these characters.
    -List any negative attributes of each of these characters.
    -List the reasons that each of these characters might appeal to Artie.
     
  8. (2) Vladek makes a huge fuss about matches and salt, even though they are very inexpensive.


    9. -Why is this so important to Vladek?
    -Why might this be a problem for him in his life?
     
  9. (2) The Karps are also Auschwitz survivors.


    10. -How are they similar to Vladek?
    -How is their situation different than Vladek's?
     
  10. (2) Do Artie and Francoise have a restful vacation at Vladek's bungalow in the Catskills?


    11. -Why or why not?
     
  11. (2) Vladek continues to tell his story to Artie.  We see our first glimpses of the living nightmare

    12. which was Auschwitz.  Vladek says: "They took from us our papers, our clothes and our hair..."

    -What does he specifically mean by this statement?
    -Why did the Germans process new arrivals to Auschwitz in this manner?
     
  12. Consider how clothes were given to the prisoners.  Why did the Germans use this method?

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  13. (4) A fellow prisoner, who is a Polish priest, tells Vladek about his number.


    14. -List three reasons why Vladek's number is auspicious.
    -How do these details help Vladek to better cope with the conditions of Auschwitz?
     
  14. (2) Why is Mandelbaum's situation funny?  Why is it sad?

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  15. (3) How is Vladek able to help the Kapo?  How does this benefit Vladek?  Mandelbaum?

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  16. (2) Vladek tells Artie a story about playing Bingo at The Pines.


    17. -Why is this story important enough to include in Maus II?
    -How might it help us to have more sympathy for the old man version of Vladek?