Maus Teaching Notes

Teaching Notes

Annotations

Terms to Know

1. Anti-Semitism – Prejudice or hatred against Jewish people.

2. Jew – A person of Jewish religion, culture, or ethnicity.

3. Nazi – Member of Hitler’s fascist, anti-Semitic political party.

4. Holocaust – Mass genocide of Jews during World War II.

5. Ghetto – Segregated area where Jews were forced to live.

6. Concentration Camp – Prison where Nazis detained and killed Jews.

7. Auschwitz – Infamous Nazi death and labor camp.

8. Swastika – Nazi symbol representing hate and racial purity.

9. Gestapo – Nazi secret police enforcing Hitler’s regime.

10. SS (Schutzstaffel) – Elite Nazi unit responsible for mass killings.

11. Dehumanization – Stripping away human qualities or dignity.

12. Survivor’s Guilt – Guilt felt by those who outlived others.

13. Generational trauma – Deep psychological harm caused by disturbing events that is passed down from generation to generation. 

14. Persecution – Harsh treatment due to race, religion, or beliefs.

15. Propaganda – Biased information spread to influence opinion.

Stereotype – Oversimplified, fixed idea about a group.

Cheat Sheets