Mauss Research Essay Assignment | Custom Essay Services

Writing Task: For this essay, we will look even further into the past with the graphic novel, Maus II, by Art Spiegelman, while at the same time focusing on how the events in this novel are very much alive and well in modern, American society. First of all Maus II is a semi-autobiographical memoir that depicts the greatest tragedy of modern history: The Holocaust. Furthermore, since The Holocaust ended, anti-Semitism hasn’t disappeared, and over the last couple of years, hate crimes and Neo-Nazism has resurfaced. So, in addition to reading Maus, we will also be watching a documentary called Documenting Hate: New American Nazis and reading the article: “Seventy-Five Years After Auschwitz, Anti-Semitism is on the Rise.” Consequently, the parallels between the past and the present should become apparent.

For this assignment (worth 150 points), you will write a six-eight page, research-based analysis of Maus II. There are several topics to choose from (listed below), but if you would like to choose your own topic or combine multiple topics, that’s fine. As in all of your writing assignments for this class, your ultimate goal will be to allow readers to return to the story with a greater understanding and hence to enjoy it more.

Choose one of the following topics to write about for your essay:

There are some who deny that the Holocaust ever happened or that books or other texts about the Holocaust should not be taught in schools. Also, in recent years, anti-Semitism has been on the rise, so you might try to incorporate this aspect into your essay, while looking at the reasons for this racism during the time of Maus. For this topic, it would be useful to incorporate the Frontline documentary we are watching.
Analyze Vladek (the father) and Art’s (the son) relationship since they are the two central characters. What conflicts exist between these two characters? How do these conflicts impact other characters or the story as a whole? Does their relationship change by the end of the novel?
What is the significance of the author’s decision to portray people of different races and nationalities as different animals? Analyze the symbolism of each animal. What effect does this have on the understanding and impact of the story?
Some critics have accused Spiegelman of belittling or making light of the Holocaust because of his choice to use an unconventional format—the graphic novel. What is your opinion? Do you think it is effective, and does it properly convey the gravity of this tragedy? For this topic, you could also consider if there is an appropriate age/level for Maus to be read/taught.
Since Maus is mainly about the male characters (Art, Vladek), there is less attention paid to the female characters (Mala, Francoise, Anja). Why do you think this is the case, and do you think it’s due to sexism or other factors? Basically, you would be analyzing Maus from a feminist perspective.
Maus II is a melding of many literary genres: comics, non-fiction, autobiography, biography, memoir, literary non-fiction, historical non-fiction, etc. Analyze two or more of these genres and how Spiegelman forges all of them into one work. And, what category should this work fall under? You could also do more of an analysis/history of comics and graphic novels, and show how Maus and other works like Persepolis have elevated the genre to a more literary and respectable place.
In addition to being a mixture of different genres, there are three narratives occurring simultaneously—Vladek’s story, Art’s experience working on the book, and a third narrative, which takes place five years after Vladek’s death. In your opinion, is there a true or central “voice” in Maus II? Explain. Furthermore, this is a very “meta” work because Art is telling a story while you’re watching him draw and create the story in the book.
Throughout Maus II, Art and Vladek are consumed with guilt. Discuss these different forms of guilt. How do they relate to one another? How do they differ?
You might look into PTSD and other psychological effects of surviving a traumatic incident such as The Holocaust, and how do the characters in Maus exhibit these types of symptoms?
How does the past and memories affect Vladek in the present? How has The Holocaust impacted Vladek’s life and all the other characters in the story?
Research Guidelines:

You are required to use a minimum of eight secondary sources (including your primary source: Maus II). You may also decide that you would like to incorporate Maus 1.

As far as your sources go, you should use:

-At least two articles from the Library Databases (the most helpful databases are EBSCOhost, Literature Resource Center, and Lexis-Nexis Academic).

-Credible websites (no blogs, Wikipedia, or “essay writing” sites like sparknotes.com)

-Other acceptable sources: periodicals, magazines, interviews, videos, books.

Why research?

One of the best methods for developing your ideas is to talk about them with people who are interested in your topic. Sometimes we agree with each other, sometimes we disagree, but our own thinking is stimulated by the interaction. Literary scholars do library research for this very reason: In their reading they engage in a “conversation” with experts, skilled readers who have done a lot of thinking about their subject already. One of the goals for this essay is to integrate these thoughts/ideas into your paper to support your original claims about Maus II. As a result, they will lend credibility to your writing and provoke critical thinking.

Next, you don’t always have to agree with these critics. In fact, do not be intimidated by big names: Your challenge more than likely will be welcome to many readers who share your disagreement.

Furthermore, you do not need to find critics who write expressly about your topic. In fact, the stronger, the more original your thinking, the less likely it will be that you will find such specific support. Instead, find critics who develop related ideas. For instance, since Maus II is based on a historical event, it might be helpful to read articles about the Holocaust, Auschwitz, or other politically or socially related articles.

A few more guidelines for sources

As information is to knowledge, so too is a “report” to a “research essay.” You are not writing an extended summary of sources; rather, you are writing a persuasive/analytical essay in which sources are used to support your claims. You must make an argument in this essay, not merely summarize facts.
Analyze your sources thoroughly from a persuasive standpoint to determine their usefulness and credibility. If you do not know the author or origin of a source, if you do not thoroughly understand a source, do not use it! Don’t jeopardize your credibility.
Remember, don’t let the sources overtake your paper.
General Requirements for Essay:

A thesis which states a definitive position and addresses Maus in some way
Cohesive, focused, body paragraphs that relate back to your thesis
At least eight credible sources (see requirements above) and Maus II as your evidence
Summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotations of your sources
A Works Cited Page and in-text citations using MLA format
A logically progressive structure
Audience Awareness
Style (sentence variety, an engaging tone)
Few sentence level errors
6-8 pages typed, double-spaced and formatted in MLA styl