mausresearchproject

[mausresearchproject]

Link to Annotated Bibliography

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aY5rWFcFnag9ps8MlQg4KikykU2EKBBllHtFjzWuBHQ/edit?usp=sharing

[mausresearchproject]

Contextual Information

Art’ Spiegelman is a Pulitzer Prize winning Illustrator and Author. Furthermore, With the release of Maus he managed to bring the world of comics to a completely different audience than what was assumed to be. His choice of mature storyteller allowed older readers to easily digest his content as well as new readers to be educated about certain subjects through a much more consumable medium. Maus’s release awarded Spiegelman his Pulitzer prize with the amazing narrative he constructed throughout its sequential releases. Furthermore, due to the way the subject is handled throughout his books; Maus is recommended for all students to read while in school; as it serves as a great depiction of the atrocities commited by the Nazi Party. Throughout Spiegelman’s Career the Majority of his work has gone on to have critical acclaim and warm reception. Looking into the reception of his art; Spiegelman has been the first comic artist to receive the Edward Macdowell medal for his work throughout his Career. Not only has his literature educated the world over and serves as a reminder of a grim past that is not too distant. Delving into his current life, Spiegelman’s work is featured all across North America being featured in Cologne, NYC, AGO etc. Furthermore, Art is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and serves there today.

Some Interviews With Art Apiegelman

https://youtu.be/UBudVI0Rri0

https://youtu.be/EZefKS-WEo4

[mausresearchproject]

Literary Analysis

The Historical context of this work is possibly the most important story to keep alive today. Oppression made by the Nazi Regime of the Second World War is still being felt to this day; and as the survivors of the atrocities slowly dwindle in number; it is key that their memory and experiences are kept alive. Throughout Spiegelman's father’s retelling of his life; the social views and mindsets as well as cultural values ring very true to 1930-1940’s living. Although in today’s modern age, anti-Semitism is not commonplace and is shunned; however, a century ago things were quite different. A prime example of how common anti-Semitic rhetoric has been ingrated throughout history is here https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/expulsions which details the removal of the Jewish faith from area’s ever since Babylonian times. This paired with Hitler’s use of the Jewish people as a scapegoat for Germany's struggles due to the treaty of Versailles led to a lingering hatred of the Jewish people throughout central Europe and eastern Europe. In regards to the cultural context, Art's father’s retelling shows the belief system that many victims held during the reign of the Third Reich. Where very quickly the only people that they could trust was their own family members. This was keenly shown as Anja and Vladek seek help throughout Poland, they end up relying on their extended family members as their only link to survival. Furthermore, this links to the importance of the family name and how well you’re family is received throughout the greater community. Many of the people who decided to help Spiegelman’s father do so out of the good reputation that his last name carries; and the ones who don’t are swayed by his wealth. This ties into Art’s fathers tightfisted tendacys as he comes to visit his father. Where he would rather save a dime to spare a nickel.

[mausresearchproject]

[mausresearchproject]

[mausresearchproject]

Technical Aspects of Maus

Delving into the visual aspects of Maus; a colossal wave of symbolism is present through every scene of the comic. Art Spiegelman was able to carefully weave an uneasy sense of dread and overhanging fear in every panel of the comic. Initially, the most drawing aspect of the memoir is the grim, styling of the characters and the scene around them. Aside from the brutal history the work is based on, Spiegelman manages to immerse the reader in the horror that Jewish families faced on a daily basis during the time of the Nazi regime. One key example of horror in Spieglman’s portrayal is the way darkness is illustrated. The darkness that Spiegelman illustrates seems to swallow every inch of light around it and heavily shrouds the characters in it. This plays immensely to the human fear of the unknown; creating this looming uneasiness during a darkened scene. 

Looking Deeper into the illustration of the memoir, another stand-out aspect of the work is the characterization of each of the different groups of people depicted and the symbiology that is evoked because of it. The prime example of characterization within the piece comes from the Nazi’s being depicted as cats while the Jew’s are portrayed as mice. This evokes the core predator/prey relationship between the two mammals and serves as an amazing depiction of how people associated with Nazi ideology view the types of people they consider as lesser. Such ruthlessness is perfectly seen on page 118 where Art’s grandfather runs into a German soldier known as ‘the shooter’, who perfectly displays and represents the Nazi Ideology towards those of the Jewish faith by saying “Give me your id papers - I'm going to blow your brains out”.