Welcome Back From Break!

I hope you all enjoyed your time off.

Maus- A Survivor’s Tale

Maus is a story of survival.  Vladek survived through the Holocaust in the past, and Art is learning how to survive with his father and their differences in the present day.  This is the essence of literature—writers tell the stories of people who have faced challenges and obstacles and have overcome those difficulties in life.  Readers are interested in a character’s growth and transformation after surviving a conflict, which is why most novels, stories, etc. focus on the characters who succeed, not those that die or crumble under pressure.  Remember this for your own writing.

What does it mean to be a survivor?

Take a moment to recall someone you know in your life who you view as a “survivor.”  What have they had to overcome?  What are some traits that they needed in order to survive?

• ·      Think emotional, mental and physical traits
• ·      Can these traits be learned? Or are they instinctual?
• ·      Does a survivor hang back and observe?  Or does he take action into his own hands? Can it be both?

CLASSWORK: How does Vladek fit our definition of a survivor?

Split into groups of three.  In Chapter 3, find 3 instances where you see Vladek as a survivor in his past life.  Then, find 3 instances anywhere in the novel where these traits have affected him in his present day life.  You will be handing in one sheet of paper for each group with these examples.

HOMEWORK: Project A- Have a list of at least 10 interview questions that will help you create a well-developed Oral History.
                          Project B- Choose a Holocaust topic and bring in at least 2 valid sources to use for your research paper.