MAUS PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENTS

Name: Period:

Throughout the literature unit, you will examine the text through various lenses. After reading
each chapter, publish your responses for each of the prompts onto your web page. Remember,
a portfolio should reflect your best understanding of the text through insightful analysis and
uses proper writing mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure).

1. Create a new page for each prompt and title each one as follows:
a. Values & Motivation
b. Symbolism
c. Jewish Experience
d. Anjas Missing Diary
2. Copy the prompt and objective onto each page
3. Write a draft of your response in your notebook
4. Add your typed response for each prompt into your portfolio
5. Organize each page and add relevant images for each page

CHAPTER 1 READING OBJECTIVE: Understand character values and motivations

PROMPT: As Vladek relates the story of how he met his wife Anja, he reveals things
that are important to him. What does he value? How do these values affect him?
Support your response with evidence from the text. Consider the what the
character says, what the character does, and what others say about him.

Response Format:

1 explanatory paragraph response [minimum]

Use TIEA format to organize your sentences
2 examples [minimum]

CHAPTER 2 READING OBJECTIVE: Examine the authors use of symbolism

PROMPT: As Vladek continues to tell his story to Artie, the reader can see
specific images that repeat. Explain the use of one such symbol and the
possible significance of that symbol. Consider why the author chose to draw
this symbol as part of the narrative. How does the symbol affect the reader?
Response Format:

1 explanatory paragraph response [minimum]

Use TIEA format to organize your sentences
You may use one symbol from the reading of Chapter 1-2

CHAPTER 3-4 READING OBJECTIVE: Examine the Jewish experience

PROMPT: Often, when people consider the Holocaust, they ask how could the Jewish people
allow themselves to be victimized; why didnt they fight back? Although there are records of
several rebellions and attempts to stop the killings, most Jews were not able to protect
themselves. It is difficult, but try to imagine yourself as a Jewish person during this time in
history. Perhaps you will gain a better understanding of why so many of the Jewish people could
not protect themselves.

1. Imagine you actually are the person you have selected. What would you do if you were this person and
lived in Poland between 1940-1943?
2. Formulate a plan of action. Prepare an explanation for each part of your plan. Why will you take each action
in your plan?
3. List the things that you will guard against. Include at least 5 details about what Jewish people experience
that you have learned from Maus.
4. Describe what you think will probably happen to you and the reasons you think this will happen.

Different Identities from Which to Choose:

a 70-year-old Jewish woman who lives alone

a young, strong single man who lives with his Jewish
parents
a strong single woman who lives with her Jewish parents
an elderly Jewish man who lives with his wife
a young, Jewish married couple with no children
an elderly Jewish man who lives alone
a middle-aged Jewish widow with five children, ages 6-15
a wealthy Jewish couple in their 50s with married children
a 50-year-old Jewish man with a sick wife and one teenage son
Response Format: Organize your responses into specific sections

Plan of Action Why I Would Take This Things I Would Have to

Action Guard Against

Outline the steps Explain each step of your Make a list

plan
1.

2.

3.

Results

Describe what you think will probably happen to you and the reasons you think this
will happen [1 paragraph response]

If I were a/an ________________________________________living during this point in history, I

would likely

CHAPTER 5-6 READING OBJECTIVE: Consider the text from a different point of view

PROMPT: While Anja and Vladek were hiding, moving from one bunker to another, Anja always
wrote in her diaries. In the present, though, Vladek has already told Artie that these notebooks
have not survived the war. Select a significant moment in Anjas life based on the description in
book. Write what you each think Anja would have written in her notebooks about that moment.

Consider these questions: What was she experiencing? What was she feeling? What caused this
event/moment? What did she see or hear? What did others say to her?

Response Format:

Include a date (based on the information provided in the book)

Begin with Dear Diary
Use first person point of view: I, me, my, we, our, us
Emphasize show she might have expressed her emotions through
careful selection of words in order to craft her voice
Use elements of a narrative such as sensory details and dialogue