MAUS Lesson Plan

Understanding Perspective

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Account for the role of point-of-view in telling a story

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.6

Structure:

How might Vladek's story be told differently if he, and not Art, were the author of Maus? What do the short interactions Art includes at the beginning of each chapter suggest about how he wants Vladek to be viewed? How does Art's view of his father affect his material?

Have students imagine the roles were reversed between Art and Vladek. How would Vladek characterize their interactions, and Art in general? These questions can be discussed verbally, or students can choose one...