Maus Test Study Guide
Be familiar with…
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the main characters, events, themes and symbols from Maus and Maus 2. Most of the questions will be
over the first novel, but there are several from the second.
elements of/reading a graphic novel
the hate pyramid
the differences between baring witness, telling a story, observing, participating
the main characters, events, of Schlindler’s List
The following vocab words are fair game for the test:
abase
assail
balk
bulbous
clemency
diaphanous
expurgate
façade
fetid
fatuous
glottis
fructivore
hapless
mendacious
morose
pulchritude
querulous
satiate
vituperative
voracious
There will also be some grammar – sentences where you need it identify if there is an error in the sentence. You
might want to review commas with introductory elements, how to indicate the titles of novels.
Turn this sheet over for the essay topics for our in class essay over Schindler’s List
In class essay
Below are the in class essay topics for our test of Schindler’s List. You will need to reply to just ONE of the three.
You may bring in a 3 x 5 inch notecard with any prewriting on it that you wish (you may NOT write portions of the
essay – just notes, outlines, etc….If you do, it will be considered an Honor Code violation and you will receive a 0
with no possibility of recovery.) You do need to do some prewriting or you will lose some points. It is to your
advantage to do this at home and be thoroughly prepared for this writing assessment.
1. Compare and contrast the two main characters from the movie, Oskar Schindler and Amon Goeth. Be
sure to discuss in detail some of the cinematic techniques used by the director in this movie to develop
Schindler and Goeth as dramatic foils.
2. Schindler went from being an “antihero” to a hero. What specific events did he experience and
realizations did he have to create this transformation? What film techniques does the director use to
emphasize Schindler’s change?
3. In making Schindler’s List, Spielberg says he tried to be “more of a reporter than a passionate, involved
filmmaker—because I wanted to communicate information more than I needed to proselytize and
convert. The information is so compelling because it wasn’t written by Hollywood authors. It comes not
out of the human experience…[but] out of history.” That vision influenced many of his decisions as the
film’s director. Identify and describe 3 scenes that reflect Spielberg’s desire to place the viewer “inside
the experiences of Holocaust survivors and actual victims as close as a movie can.” Be sure to discuss film
techniques used in each scene in your response.
You will have three objectives with this essay:
1. Thoughtfully answer the question.
2. Construct an essay with your response – this means you need to have an introduction, body paragraphs, a
conclusion…your controlling idea (thesis) should be clear and you will follow the conventions of formal
English (no slang, use third person, be sure to refer to the events that occur in the movie using present
tense).
3. Demonstrate to me that you have critically watched the film. This means you need to have specific,
relevant support for your ideas.