Mice (Jews)
In Maus, the Nazis regarded the Jews as vermin that spread disease and needed to be trapped and exterminated. Mice seem powerless and thus are easy victims.
Cats (Germans/Nazis)
In Maus, cats terrorize mice; they often play with their prey before killing it. They can be sly. Cats seem like superior creatures that cannot be fully tamed or controlled.
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Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing Maus: A Survivor's Tale
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Mice (Jews)
In Maus, the Nazis regarded the Jews as vermin that spread disease and needed to be trapped and exterminated. Mice seem powerless and thus are easy victims.
Cats (Germans/Nazis)
In Maus, cats terrorize mice; they often play with their prey before killing it. They can be sly. Cats seem like superior creatures that cannot be fully tamed or controlled.
Pigs (Poles)
In Maus, the Polish diet includes a lot of pork or sausage. Pigs are gluttons and tend to be fat. The Poles in the graphic narratives seem selfish and lazy at times.
Dogs (Americans)
In Maus, dogs chase cats and eventually drive them away; Americans and their allies liberated the Nazi concentration camps. Dogs are loyal and faithful. As 'man's best friend,' they are ultimate heroes.
Gypsy Moths (Roma/Gypsies)
In Maus, the gypsy moth in the last chapter gazes into a crystal ball to tell Anja what happened to Richieu. Gypsies are often stereotyped as fortune-tellers. Gypsies are stereotyped as flighty and insubstantial.
Frogs (French)
In Maus, French cuisine includes frogs' legs, leading to this old ethnic slur against the French.
Reindeer (Swedes)
In Maus, this is a more whimsical portrayal, perhaps indicating patterns on Swedish sweaters. The Swedes seem harmless and majestic.
Fish (British)
In Maus, perhaps the fish are used to indicate the kippers used for breakfast. Considering that England is an island nation, a fish seems apt. This also is a neutral, perhaps harmless portrayal.
"Kombinator"
a crook