Name: ______________________________

Maus Narratives in Comic Strip Format

Directions: Consider one of the narrative prompts listed below and imagine them in comic strip format using
what we have discussed regarding graphic novel/comic terminology and layout strategies. You may either
create your comic strip by drawing it or using an online generator such as Storyboard That
(https://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-creator). Your comic strip must contain at least 6 panels, and you must
include a short paragraph (4-6 sentences) explaining your explanation for a technical aspect of your strip that we
have discussed in class such as layout, gutter, bleed, etc.

Narrative Prompts:
- (1) Write a narrative from the perspective of Vladek while in the bunker (pages 110-113). Specifically,
how would Vladek pass the time? What conversations would he have? What sounds would he hear?

- (2) Write a narrative from the perspective of one of the grandparents on page 87. Describe their journey
to Auschwitz. What do they see? Hear? What are their reactions to what they see and hear?

- (3) Write a narrative from the perspective of Tosha as she is making the decision to poison herself and
the children in her care. What reasoning do we not see? Does she explain to the children? How did she
decide to keep the poison?

- If you are interested in presenting a different narrative you believe would be interesting to write about,
please discuss it with Miss Bauer to determine if it would be a good fit for this assignment before
beginning. Feel free to be creative in your pitches!

COMIC STRIP 5 PNTS 4-3 PNTS 2-0 PNTS

NARRATIVE: 15 PNTS
Panel Length Comic strip is at least 6 panels
long.
Explanation Explanation of technical
aspect of comic strip is 4-6
sentences long and
appropriately addresses the
use of terminology;
demonstrates critical thought.
Narrative Student engages deeply with
narrative prompt; comic strip
is effective at conveying
narrative.
Comic strip is at least 4 panels
long.
Explanation of technical
aspect of comic strip is less
than 4-6 sentences long and
appropriately addresses the
use of terminology;
demonstrates critical thought.
Student engages on entry
levels with narrative prompt;
comic strip begins to convey
narrative.
Comic strip is less than 4
panels long.
Explanation of technical
aspect of comic strip is less
than 4-6 sentences long and
does not appropriately address
the use of terminology; does
not demonstrate critical
thought.
Student does not engage with
narrative prompt; comic strip
does not convey narrative.
 MISS BAUER’S EXAMPLE
( NOT FULL LENGTH, JUST TO MODEL HOW TO BEGIN TELLING NARRATIVE & EXPLANATION  )

Prompt #2, writing from perspective of one of the grandparents on page 87.

(As this is a model to showcase possibilities, I used some of Spiegelman’s original text to show how you may
transition into telling these narratives as a tangible part of the story within Maus. This assignment is not meant
to be a retelling, so if I were to continue on to the next six panels I would address the prompt’s questions
regarding what Anja’s grandparents see, hear, and react to during their journey.)

My use of the portraits of Anja’s grandparents across the gutter of my second and third panels help to
emphasize the narrative of panel three, “again bled history onto our family,” symbolized by the bleed of the
illustrations between panels. The choice to color certain words differently within the speech bubbles helps
emphasize aspects of the narrative, while also using color symbolism (red) to signal thoughts of fear to the
reader.