Maus and The House on Mango Street Final Exam Study Guide

Vocabulary and thematic flashcards for the final exam study guide covering the graphic novel Maus and the novella The House on Mango Street.

Art Spiegelman

American cartoonist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Maus who wrote about his father’s experiences in the Holocaust.

Auschwitz

A major concentration camp where Jews were forced during the Holocaust.

Trauma

Deep emotional pain after terrible events.

Generational Trauma

Trauma passed from parents to children.

Psychological Trauma

Trauma characterized by fear, anxiety, and emotional damage.

Survivor’s Guilt

Feeling guilty for surviving when others did not.

Graphic Novel

A story told through pictures and words.

bachelor

Unmarried man.

dowry

Money or property given in marriage.

reputation

What people think of you.

pogrom

A violent attack on a group.

synagogue

Jewish place of worship.

systematic

Organized.

overseer

A supervisor.

black market

Illegal selling.

obscure

Not well known.

resentful

Bitter or angry.

shrine

A place honoring someone.

illustrious

Famous and respected.

pauper

A very poor person.

decompose

To rot.

parcel

A package.

reproach

Disappointment or disapproval.

presumptuous

Too confident.

upholstery

Furniture covering.

remorse

Deep regret.

exploit

To unfairly use.

infirmary

A medical room.

cache

Hidden storage.

quota

A fixed limit.

listless

Low energy.

Problematic Survivor

A survivor whose trauma causes unhealthy behaviors, such as Vladek being controlling with money and distrustful.

Animal Metaphor (Jews)

Represented as mice in Maus.

Animal Metaphor (Germans)

Represented as cats in Maus.

Animal Metaphor (Poles)

Represented as pigs in Maus.

Anja’s Journals

A symbol of memory and lost history.

Pills

A symbol of mental and emotional struggles.

Money

A symbol of security and survival.

Sandra Cisneros

The Mexican-American author of The House on Mango Street who grew up in Chicago.

Novella

A short novel.

vignette

A short story or sketch.

identity

Who you are.

community

A group living together.

poverty

A lack of money.

tenant

A renter.

mutter

To speak quietly.

drogas

Drugs.

gravitate

To move toward.

vogue

Popular.

terrace

An outdoor platform.

tatter

Torn cloth.

dilapidated

Falling apart.

barren

Empty and lifeless.

vigil

Staying awake to watch.

scarcely

Barely.

furore

Public anger.

anemic

Weak and pale.

embroidered

Decorated with stitching.

Hair (Symbol)

Represents identity and family.

Esperanza’s Name (Symbol)

Represents hope and wanting change.

Alicia’s Mice (Symbol)

Represents fear and poverty.

Rice Sandwich (Symbol)

Represents embarrassment and exclusion.

Chanclas (Symbol)

Represents insecurity and poverty.

Hips (Symbol)

Represents growing up.

Four Skinny Trees (Symbol)

Represents strength and hope.

Red Clowns (Symbol)

Represents the loss of innocence.

Linoleum Roses (Symbol)

Represents fake beauty and disappointment.