Maus II Chapter 1 Discussion Questions
1. Do you think it was normal what Artie told Francoise about what he used to think
about on pg. 14? Explain your answer.
2. Why does Art wish he could have been in Auschwitz with his parents? What does
this say about Art’s struggle with his father?
3. Why did you think that Mala left Valdek? Give evidence from the text to support
your thinking? What does this show about Mala’s character?
4. What mannerisms and thinking drive Francoise and Artie crazy about Valdek?
What are a couple of reasons that would explain these behaviors of Valdek’s?
5. Why did Valdek what to make it clear to Art, that when Valdek and Anja were in
Auschwitz, they were never separated? What did he mean by saying they were
never separated? What does this reveal about Valdek?
6. What was the significance of Valdek’s tattoo? Why did the priest approach him,
and how did their conversation effect Valdek?
7. How does Valdek save himself in the concentration camps? Would you have been
able to do the same thing?
