Graphic Novels Childish

Graphic Novels: Childish or Educational? Since the evolution of modern literature there has been an ongoing controversy about whether or not graphic novels should be taught in English classrooms. Some people may argue that they should be taught while some believe otherwise. In Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel Maus, he explores the hidden truths and harsh realities of the Holocaust through a multitude of interviews with his father, a survivor. In this survivor’s tale, Spiegelman learns about what the victims of the Holocaust, including what his father endured during this unfortunate period in history. He thoroughly depicts these horrors through a series of hand drawn and hand written animations. His effective method of storytelling has earned

It helps them visualize the setting. In the case of Spiegelman's Maus, he accurately depicts what his father and his fellow victims went through by turning his father's story into a graphic novel. When Vladek was talking about his friends’ family getting hanged, he says, “They hanged there one full week... I was frightened to go outside for a few days… I didn’t want to pass where they were hanging” (83-4). Through Art’s illustrations, we can clearly see the brutality that the Jews went through. This is further explored when Vladek was talking about the conditions at the concentration camps. He says, “Everybody was so hungry always... we didn’t even know what we are doing... And one time each day they gave to us a small bread... Most gobbled it right away, but I always saved a half for later” (49). The starving conditions in the camps can be seen in Spiegelman’s novel. The pictures help the audience come in terms with the horrifying conditions the survivors experienced. In general, it also helps readers understand the text better. Graphic novels such as Maus help expand a reader’s imagination. We are left to analyze why the author would choose to depict a scene in the way that they did. It expands our critical thinking as

When Art is being interviewed by the press, a man says, “Artie, baby. Check out this licensing deal. You get 50% of the profits…” to which Artie replies, “I want... Absolution... No... No… I want... I want my MOMMY!... WAH!” (42). In this part of the book, readers can see how Art looks like emotionally. His stress and grief is shown through the image that he illustrates. Moreover, this is further explored when Art draws a featured comic called Prisoner On The Hell Planet. In the comic, when his mother dies, he writes, “That night was so bad… My father insisted we sleep on the floor- an old Jewish custom, I guess. I was uncomfortable… We were scared!” (102). In the images, Art’s sadness and fear can be seen through Spiegelman’s characters’ facial gestures and the way that they act through the illustrations. Graphic novels can inspire just emotions within a reader just as much as literary classics can. The pictures illustrated display the character’s