Lesson 6

Maus Lesson 6

Chapter Four – The Noose Tightens

·         Consider the title page of this chapter. How is the reader positioned by the combination of the visual image and the use of figurative language in the title?

This is a metaphor to explain the times are getting harder and there is no escaping it now. The image shows actually nooses around the Jews necks’ and it suggests that they are going through pain.

      ·         Explain what happens to the furniture on page 81.

They thought that they could sell the furniture to the Nazis but the Nazis just took the furniture without paying so Vladek’s father in law was not happy.

      ·         Re-visit pages 82 and 83. The last frame on each page is interesting. Note the perspective on page 82 and discuss it significance. Why do you think the author used three separate but unframed pictures on page 83?

The author separated the so he looks like he is moving and not just pictures. It also draws attention that it’s back to the present and Vladek is telling the story.

      ·         Discuss the powerful nature of the central frame on page 85. How is the reader positioned to respond?

The reader is horrified and shocked to think that this really happened and this is a true story of a man who went through this. It also fits in with the image at the start of the chapter explaining that the noose has tightened.

      ·         What effect does the telling of this story have on Vladek on page 93?

It ties back in with the frames from pg. 83 and it again takes us back to the present. Vladek looks weakened and tired but not only physically, it looks like telling the story is painful and that’s why he tells Artie to stop for the day.

The Difference between the Old Vladek and Young Vladek:

 There seems to be quite a difference between the old Vladek and the young one but there are still some similarities that show. Before Vladek even went to the ghettos and the camps, he was pretty happy with himself. He knew that he had many suitors and he knew that his business was doing well. He was confident. Even through this though, he happened to pick a woman that wasn’t as pretty as his other suitors, but because he liked her for her intelligence. In a way he seemed like he didn’t care about the other girl Lucia that was head over heels for him and this affects the readers view of him. Throughout the story though the reader is able to see that the young Vladek was a smart man and very lucky. He took many opportunities and risks to save himself and Anja.

The older Vladek seems to be more loving to some extent. When Art first comes over to interview Vladek, Vladek says, “A wire hanger you give him! I haven’t seen Artie in almost two years – we have plenty wooden hangers.” This shows that he often doesn’t see his son and he really wants the best for his son. The older Vladek is also more depressed in a way as he misses Anja so much. He doesn’t even try to make the effort to get along with Mala. He also likes to do everything himself, such as being as healthy as possible and trying to fix everything so he doesn’t waste money. I think that this is because he knows the true value of things after being in the Holocaust and that he does not let anything go easy. 

Maus - Lesson 3 Questions

Why does Spiegelman call Mala a survivor? What does he mean by this?

- I think that Spiegelman calls Mala a survivor as she is one of few people that he knows that survived the Holocaust with Vladek. 

Why does Vladek choose Anja over Lucia? What do you think of his choice?

-Even though Lucia was prettier, Anja was more intelligent and had more wealth and at this stage Vladek was thinking of the future and how he was going to survive. 

Vladek asks Art not to write about Lucia in his book. Art promises not to but then breaks this promise. What do you think of Art's decision to break his promise? Why does he tell the reader about this?

- I think that Vladek does not want us to know that he chose Anja over Lucia and led Lucia on. Also I don't think he wants the readers to know of the choice that he made between both of the girls.