Anthropomorphism
Picture Referenced
When reading Maus I, Spiegelman uses cats as Germans, mice as Jews, dogs as Americans, and pigs representing Poles. Students need to recognize a likely purpose Spiegelman had in mind when creating these animals to portray certain races. This will allow the teacher to discuss anthropomorphism with the students. This term may or may not have been discussed in classes before, so an introduction to what anthropomorphism is may be necessary to begin the lesson. Then the teacher should allow the students to discuss and ask questions about Spiegelman's animal representations in Maus I.
Activity
Ask the class to assign themselves an animal. They need to write down why they would be that animal.
Now ask the students:
What is anthropomorphism? This is the act of giving an animal or an object human characteristics.
Ask the class what animals they chose to become. Why do you think you are that animal?
How has society influenced how we see animals through human characteristics?
Split the class into four groups. Then, assign each group one of these animals:
1. Mouse
2. Cat
3. Pig
4. Dog
Each of these animals represent a character in the story. Ask the groups to identify why they feel Spiegelman uses them to represent particular races.
Ask the students to choose a different animal other than what Spiegelman chose for that race. Let them decide and ask them to defend these questions:
Why would this animal be appropriate?
Do you think this animal would have been a better choice than what Spiegelman chose? Why or why not?
Then, ask all groups: How would these new animals have worked together in the story?
Would it have made sense? Why or why not?
Do you think the graphic novel would have been more successful if Spiegelman chose to use human's instead of animals?
Activity
Ask the class to assign themselves an animal. They need to write down why they would be that animal.
Now ask the students:
What is anthropomorphism? This is the act of giving an animal or an object human characteristics.
Ask the class what animals they chose to become. Why do you think you are that animal?
How has society influenced how we see animals through human characteristics?
Split the class into four groups. Then, assign each group one of these animals:
1. Mouse
2. Cat
3. Pig
4. Dog
Each of these animals represent a character in the story. Ask the groups to identify why they feel Spiegelman uses them to represent particular races.
Ask the students to choose a different animal other than what Spiegelman chose for that race. Let them decide and ask them to defend these questions:
Why would this animal be appropriate?
Do you think this animal would have been a better choice than what Spiegelman chose? Why or why not?
Then, ask all groups: How would these new animals have worked together in the story?
Would it have made sense? Why or why not?
Do you think the graphic novel would have been more successful if Spiegelman chose to use human's instead of animals?