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Answer TWO of the following as a Comment below:
1. We discussed briefly on Friday how cartoons work as metaphors in a comic: that is, they emphasize an idea about a character rather than a distinct individual. For example, Charlie Brown is depicted as bald since we read bald as "old, wise, or even a baby"--which makes us see him as a wiser child who is also very vulnerable. How do the cartoons/metaphors in Maus of Jews = mice and Germans = cats help us read this world and the ideas behind the Nazis and the Holocaust? Why might this be more effective than simply writing a story about his father's life?
2. Why do you think Spiegelman shows us the background of his story--trying to interview his father, and the day-to-day frustrations of dealing with him? Does this detract from the overall story for you, or enhance it? In other words, why does Art Spiegelman make this both his story and his father's?
3. What kind of character is Vladek? Since he is the 'hero' of our tale, is he heroic, admirable, virtuous, shifty, greedy, or opportunistic? Despite the cartoon format, how does Spiegelman make Vladek a complex character who is hard to define, and an unlikely hero for a novel?
4. Is this a novel? Though Maus is a comic, it is often referred to as a "graphic novel," which really means a novel told with words and pictures. But beyond that, what makes this work a novel? How does it compare with, say, Pride and Prejudice in terms of structure, characters, themes, or anything else? Is it impossible to call a comic book a novel, or is it virtually the same thing, despite some small differences?
Teresa Buretta
ReplyDelete2) Showing the broad picture of his father's present-day life as well as the trauma he suffered in WWII allows Spiegelman to show the lingering effects the war had on his father. Had he not been deprived of his basic needs and suffered the loss of friends and family members, he would have been a totally different person. Sometimes what a person is like after such tragedy and trauma is even more telling than the story of going through it.
4) Yes. This is an excellent illustrated biography. There is description, sometimes written, sometimes visual through the art, there is good conversation flow between characters, and there is narrative, usually at the top of frames. Most importantly, there is plot. All these elements are present in a good novel.
Stephanie Callen
ReplyDelete1. How do the cartoons/metaphors in Maus of Jews = mice and Germans = cats help us read this world and the ideas behind the Nazis and the Holocaust? Why might this be more effective than simply writing a story about his father's life?
The Nazis were very racist people.They didn't see the Jews as individuals so I think it was an excellent idea to make all the people in one race look the same. It showed how everyone was judged by their race. Also, there is more freedom when writing comics because you can say something without just having to come out and say it.
2. Why do you think Spiegelman shows us the background of his story--trying to interview his father, and the day-to-day frustrations of dealing with him? Does this detract from the overall story for you, or enhance it? In other words, why does Art Spiegelman make this both his story and his father's?
I think Spiegelman showing us the background enhances the story. It makes it more personal. It also allows the reader to see some of the lasting effects that the victims have dealt with on a day to day basis and how even their children were effected.
1. He makes them mice and cats to show us how a racist see the world and just how stupid racism is. It lets normal people that don't understand how bad racism really was back then get a better perspective on it.
ReplyDelete2. I think he shows us who is father is so it can be more personal to us we can relate better. We get to know him and his father and we see them more as people instead of just character that had something bad happen to them
Ashley Barnes
ReplyDelete2. I feel that him adding the pre story to the book made it more personal. it showed the way the Holocaust actually had an effect on his father as a person and that he wasn't just telling another story. To me it made it entire book better overall and I looked at is as less of a story and more as someone's personal experience.
4. I feel that Maus is definitely considered a novel even though it is different from most typical novels. Its comic form makes it easier for people of any age to read and keeps it interesting and different. The book has a great story and is easy to read, it keeps you interested. The comic aspect of the book adds to the story because it makes it relatable because you can not only read it but see it to an extent.
Nesha Pickens:
ReplyDelete2) I think Spiegelman just wanted to show us how big of a tragedy the Holocaust was and how much it effected his father. His father witnessed horrible events that made him into the person he is. Vladek was on his sons case so much because Art didn't fully understand the value of things like his father did. To me going back in Vladek's time enhanced the story.
3) Vladek, to me is an asshole but yet a good person at heart. Vladek means well he just has a different way of showing his affection or emotions towards people. Spiegelman makes his father seem like the type of person that doesn't get along well with others. He's like a jellybean, hard on the outside but soft on the inside.
Casey Bear
ReplyDelete1. The comic way of writing lightens the mood and makes the reading more interesting. It gives enough detail but stays on track and doesn't get too opinionated...
2. I think the way the father was treated changed his character to better himself and show his son not everything is handed to you.
Paul Sandy
ReplyDelete2) I like the way he presents the story of the father by taking us through the interview process with him. In doing so, Spiegelman gives us not only the tales of the father but also a glimpse into the relationship Artie has with him as a result. We get the opportunity to be exposed to two generations of history and experiences as we read. while reading, I find myself able to relate to Artie and his father's relationship.The way the father still insists on putting his advice out there is so indicative of how many fathers never feel their role as mentor and guide to their children is ever complete. That is not a bad thing necessarily.
4)This is very much a novel just as is Pride and Prejudice. The greatest advantage to the graphics for me was that as different characters are introduced along the way I find it easier to keep up with them when I see an image to relate them to. Beyond that, the images also take me back to a simpler time in life when I would go to the library as a child and look for a book to check out. First thing I would do is open and loook at the illustrations to determine if I wanted to check it out and actually read it. Often, if there were not illustrations I wouldn't consider going any farther with a book. In this way, Spiegelman attracts more people who may have put it back on the shelf.
Destiny Coley
ReplyDelete1) I think that they way he presents this harsh material is in such a way that it brings comic relief. He is able to tell these terrible stories and we are able to read them because he makes it in a way that its not so traumatic that we can't stand to hear it. I think that it is good in a situation like this. People would be more educated on the traumatic events of history if they could read a book like this rather than a book that just contains page after page of words.
2) I think that the background of the story does enhance it because it gives more understanding of who they are. It shows us that he is somewhat hard to understand and hard to deal with that but that could be a result of the events that he went through.
Cristian C Nazario Cruz
ReplyDelete1. The Nazis were so racist people, like cat are with mice. For Nazis all of the Jews were the same people, for Nazis all of the Jews look the same. That’s mean how everyone was judged by their race. I the perfect example to compare the Jews and Nazis, for cats all of the mice are the same, the final objective of a cat is kill the mice.
2. For me he show us the story of his father because that make it more personal, so when you are reading the comics it look more realistic because it look more like people instead just characters, is very interesting reading the comics when you already know that person was there in the Holocaust.