Ruhr-­‐Universität Bochum Englisches Seminar Dr. Simon Dickel „Depicting Ethnicity in Comics and Graphic Novels“ D. Dierschke , K. Kornek, M. Tonk 24.11.2009 Animal imagery in Spiegelman’s Maus
1. Literary Tradtion of Animal Imagery
A) Ancient times –
Aesop´s Fables
B) Middle Ages –
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimms´ fairy tales: “Little Red
Riding Hood”; beats epic : “Reynard cycle”
C) Modern Times –
L.Carroll: “Alice in Wonderland”; W. Disney
“Mickey Mouse”; G. Orwell “Animal Farm”; E.
Kästner: “Konferenz der Tiere”; J.Davis “Garfield”
2. Theoretical Background
Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word, the "dictionary definition."¨ For example, if you look up the word
snake in a dictionary, you will discover that one of its denotative meanings is any of numerous scaly, legless,
sometimes venomous reptiles having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate
regions. Connotation on the other hand, refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional
suggestions related to that word. The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the denotative
meanings. The connotations for the word snake could include evil or danger.
3. Portraying Ethnicities in Maus
Denotative Level= different groups are portrayed with specific animals
Connotative Level= problematic? Evokes certain feelings / associations at the reader’s level
Uses same imagery as Nazi propaganda, stereotyping Germans / Poles as bad
Notes / Conclusion Works Cited
Doherty, Thomas. “Art Spiegelman’s Maus: Graphic Art and the Holocaust.” American Literature 68 (1996). 69-84.
Loman, Andrew. “Well Intended Liberal Slop”: Allegories of Race in Spiegelman’s Maus.” Journal of American
Studies 49 (2000). 551-571.
Staub, Michael. “The Shoah Goes On and On: Remembrance and Representation in Art Spiegelman’s Maus.”
Melus 20,3 (1995). 33-46.