Literature About Society- Mrs. Reesbeck

Maus I by Art Spiegelman Reading Guide (My Father Bleeds History)

April 2015

“Mouse Holes” (5)

  1. The next two chapters both have the word “mouse” in their titles. Spiegelman’s drawings seem to be more “mouse-like” than human-like. Why might he have done this? What does he want us to understand about his parents and other Jews during this time with each of the titles?
  1. On page 97, Artie says to Francoise, “One reason I became an artist was that [Vladek] thought it was impractical—just a waste of time…it was an area where I wouldn’t have to compete with him.” What does this reveal about Artie’s feelings towards his father?
  1. How does seeing Vladek, Anja, and Artie drawn as humans for the first time affect you as a reader? Why does Artie include an actual picture of him and Anja in the first panel?
  1. How does the comic “Prisoner on the Hell Planet” depict Artie and his family? Why do you think he has chosen to draw himself dressed in a prison uniform? How does this connect to the fact that Artie has been hospitalized for a nervous breakdown?
  1. Although Mala mentions that Vladek has read Prisoner on the Hell Planet, it was not necessary for Spiegelman to include a reprint of this early comic in the middle of Maus. Why do you think he chose to do so?
  1. Why does Anja agree to let Persis take Richieu into hiding after so forcefully rejecting Ilzecki’s offer to do so before?
  1. How is Richieu killed? Was his death “better” than the fate of the children depicted on pg 108? Explain.
  1. In describing his bunker in Srodula, Vladek says to Artie, “Show to me your pencil and I can explain you…such things it’s good to know exactly how was it—just in case.” (Pg. 110) How does this comment help us understand why Vladek may have insisted that Artie learn to use tools the same way Vladek does?
  1. How are Vladek and his family twice betrayed by fellow Jews in this chapter? What eventually happens to the “mouse” who informed on them and Haskel, who took the jewels but didn’t help them?
  1. Comment on both the imagesand words in the final two panels on page 115. What is significant about Zylberberg having been a millionaire and still being unable to escape the camps?
  1. On page 116, Vladek finds some telephone wire on the street and Artie balks at Vladek’s tendency to pick up trash. Vladek mentions the usefulness of this kind of wire—which is not available in stores—and offers, “I’ll give to you some wire. You’ll see how useful it is.” “No thanks!” Artie replies. “Just tell me what happened with Haskel.” Explain why Vladek picks up and saves “trash.” Why won’t Artie take what Vladek is offering? What contrast does this show between Vladek and Artie’s personalities?
  1. What function do Vladek’s stories of Pesach’s “soap”cake and Pesach’s plan to get rid of the guests he did not have desserts for serve in the narrative? What does this illustrate about the character of some of the people they knew? How does it compare with some of the Nazis in this section?
  1. Comment on the way in which Spiegelman has drawn the crossroads Anja and Vladek come to on the bottom of page 125. What does the image suggest?
  1. How did Vladek care for Anja after the destruction of the Srodula ghetto? Contrast his behavior toward Anja with the way he now treats Mala.

Mouse Trap (6)

  1. When Artie suggests that Vladek has become so tight with money as a result of his experience in the camps, Mala snorts, “Fah! I went through the camps…all our friends went through the camps. Nobody is like him!” (Pg. 131) Think back to the beginning of the book. What early evidence of Vladek’s carefulness with money and resources might have led us to the same conclusion—that is, that he was stingy long before the camps?
  1. Richieu’s governess, Janina, had offered in the past to help the Spiegelmans if it became necessary. When they knock on her door, however, she tells them to go away quickly before they bring trouble to her household. Why has Janina changed her mind? Why would others offer to help?
  1. At the bottom of page 136, Vladek tells Artie that it was easier for him to pass as a non-Jewish Pole than it was for Anja. How does Spiegelman’s illustration of his parents walking in the street subtly show the difference between them?
  1. What happens to Vladek as a result of his daring to answer a stranger on the street in Hebrew?
  1. What is ironic about the way Vladek is traveling on the streetcar on page 140?
  1. Given how the Spiegelmans are portrayed, what is significant about the panels on 147, where their hiding place is infested with rats? What must Anja be reminded of so that she calms down and not to give them away?
  1. What does the incident with Vladek and the playing schoolchildren tell us about the way anti-Semitism is passed from generation to generation during the war?
  1. Describe the conditions Miloch, his wife, and his young son are living in. What is ironic about them living in such terrible conditions vs. Vladek and Anja’s situation?
  1. What convinces Vladek to trust the Poles who have offered to smuggle him and Anja into Hungary? What happens? Why?
  1. What does Artie call Vladek when he learns that Vladek has burned Anja’s diaries? Why do you think Artie chooses this word? Is Artie justified calling Vladek this? Why?
  1. Why do you think that Vladek burned all of Anja’s papers? Is it really because he was depressed like he says?