Final lesson on Maus (CH6 + Tips)

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 4

Final lesson before textual analysis

Textual Analysis

• 4 pages from Part 1 of Maus "My father bleeds history"
• 90 minutes
• You'll write the textual analysis on paper
• You are not allowed to bring your copy of Maus
• It counts 4 times

Chapter 6

Summary:

Vladek resumes his story in 1944, when he and Anja left Srodula. They walk toward Sosnowiec, to the house where the Zylberbergs used to live, and the janitor allows them to hide in a shed. When he goes out, he wears a pig mask to pretend he's Polish. Vladek and Anja move to Mrs. Kawka's barn and after that into Mrs Motonowa's house. Vladek makes arrangements to get to Hungary. Anja and Vladek get on a train with two other people and the smugglers, but are soon arrested by the Gestapo - the smugglers had betrayed them and delivered them to the Nazis. They are thrown in prison and after that put on a truck, which takes them to Auschwitz. Vladek and Anja are terrified. Vladek explains that they knew Jews were gassed in concentration camps and they would probably never get out alive.

Task

 Quickly scan chapter 6. Which two pages of chapter 6 are interesting for analysis?

Menti.com - Code: 9355 5615

Themes

Make sure you study the themes and motifs. 

You need to decide which theme or themes are explored in the given pages.

Themes:

• past and present intertwined
• Family
• Betrayal
• Racism
• Trauma (Holocaust survivor)
• Guilt & Blame
• Survivor's instinct
• Race & Class
• Importance of Luck
• Human interdependence
• Morality

Motifs:

• circles / spotlight
• stationary bike
• train
• grid / window

Aspects you can discuss

Narrative perspective 

whose perspective, unreliable narration, intertwining narratives, postmodernism

Characterization 

depiction of the characters (facial expressions/emanata), composition  

Structure 

size and shape of the panels, the way they're structured,  how you read the panels, how they are linked, flashback, etc.

Symbolism, motifs, themes

swastika, Jewish badge, spotlight, stationary bike, train, grid (see a list of the themes on the next slide)

Setting

location / where the story takes place

Language

speech bubble, voice-over, thoughts, dialogue, tone, word choice, text in bold/bigger font

Drawing style, graphic weight

sketchy/detailed, contrast of black/ white/ shades of grey

Important

• You need to discuss what is going on in the given pages. What is Spiegelman showing us? 
• You need to analyse Spiegelman's choices. In other words, how has he visualised this and why?
• You cannot discuss all the panels in detail. You need to decide which aspects are relevant, which panels are significant.
• You need to analyse the panels in detail. Explain the significance of each aspect you discuss - This shows/ emphasises ...

Important

• It is important to analyse the visuals, but do not forget the language!
• Make sure you refer to context. Show your understanding of the Holocaust.
• Make sure you know the book inside out. You cannot use the book. You should know after reading the given pages approximately where we are in the book.
• Make sure you use appropriately terminology (anthropomorphism, panels, splash, speech bubble, voice-over, etc)

Final preparation today

Textual analysis:

• Read the document 'How to prepare for your textual analysis'(tips&tricks)
• Read the LessonUp about writing a textual analysis again.

Maus:

• Read the answers to the questions about CH3
• Read the summaries and analyses of the chosen panels (Group work: CH3-5)
• Make sure you have a good understanding of the plot, characters, context (Holocaust), and terminology.

Feedback

Choose at least one of three options. 

• Write an introduction (including a thesis statement) and two or three points (pp. 13-17). Choose one point and finish writing your paragraph.
• Write a P.E.E. paragraph  about the panels on p. 86.
• Read the sample introduction and points and finish writing a body paragraph.

Read my feedback and rewrite your paragraph. Feel free to ask any questions.

Rubric

A: Knowledge, understanding and interpretation of the text and its context (10)

B: Analysis and evaluation of how language and visuals are used to constuct meaning (10)

C: Coherence, focus and organisation (5)

D: Language (5)

Maximum = 30