Maus As Fable

For first period, we are going to extend on the idea of fables and how they connect to Maus.

Fables

Fable is a genre of story, where animals, elements, plants, or inanimate objects are given human qualities (anthropomorphism, personification), like physical traits or emotions.  When the fable uses personifies animals, it is called a beast fable.  All fables infer a moral, or a lesson at the end of the story.  The most famous fables we know today come from a man named Aesop.

Aesop was an ancient Greek "story teller."  His stories have been put into a collection called Aesop's Fables.  There are many different versions of his fables, but the moral lessons remain the same, and can still be applied to our lives today.

Where might we see fables in our every day lives?

• Finding Nemo
• A Bug's Life
• Antz
• Happy Feet

CLASSWORK: Read your fable with your group and agree on the moral of the story together.  Then discuss the connection between fables and the writing of Maus.  What similarities do you see?  What might be a moral?  Use your novels!  This will help you with the open-book assessment.

Separate your desks for a short open-book quiz.  When you have finished, you may head over to the lab to continue working on your projects.  You should have 3-4 pages/genres done by the end of class today. Stay focused!