On pp. 102-105, Art includes a copy of another graphic story, "Prisoner on Hell Planet," that he wrote about his mother's suicide. To what extent to you think the events of the Holocaust might have caused her suicide, and why do you think Art Speigelman chose to share "Prisoner on Hell Planet" in Maus.

There are many events during the Holocaust that could have lead to Anja's suicide. I believe that one of them could have been the fact that her five year old son, Richieu, was killed so that he would not have to be sent to a concentration camp. This was on page 111, where Tosha had to kill all three children and herself. The life changing event was not only depressing, but she had to keep moving forward and try and save her own life. Personally, I think she felt useless and she felt as though no one loved her. I believe this can be shown on page 105, in the graphic story, "Prisoner on Hell Planet." She asked Artie if she still loved her and he pretty much told her no. She was asking for reassurance over her son's love, and he rejected. Another thing, she had lost plenty of family members due to the Holocaust such as her father (page 117), her young son (page 111), and so many more members throughout the book. The death if her family might have made her feel alone and the way they died makes it worst.

I believe that Art included the copy of the other graphic story, "Prisoner on Hell Planet," so that the audience could understand how the suicide took place and the events that happened after it. For example, in page 105, Art draws his mother in the bathtub dead with details. It gives the reader a picture of how the situation looked in real life. Another thing, I think he wanted to show the imagery through humans, and he wanted to show the details. The details make the story more gloomy and realistic in a way. In my opinion, he wanted to draw this section in particle with humans, not animals, to make the moment more realistic and intense.

What do you think some of the challenges might be in drawing another person's story. What might be some of the advantages? Why?

There is many challenges yet advantages when drawing another person’s story. One of the challenges would be getting all the details. For example, when I illustrated Tyler’s short story, I found myself wondering what his surroundings looked like. I had to make up the surroundings and details since I had not asked for the details. “A picture is worth a thousand words” is very important to the audience and the drawer has to get that across. The drawer has to make sure that imagery not given in the story can be seen in the drawings, or the readers will be confused. An advantage would be that the drawer can make some details that go along and make the story more interesting. An example would be in Maus, page 14, Artie’s father has numbers on his arm from the Holocaust. This adds more to the story, and it shows that Art did add details to the story and took his time. It also makes the audience picture everything. The detail develops characters too. Another advantage, the drawer is not right or wrong when imaging the details they draw. A drawer has both, challenges and advantages, when drawing someone’s story.

Writing, Music, and Small Doodles. ( A Free Blog Post)

              Personally, I feel as though writing can make anyone feel better when they are feeling down, or discouraged. Journaling is the type of writing that helps me the most. I can write and draw whatever I want and not be forced to have perfect grammar or spelling because it's my journal and not everyone is supposed to understand it. It can be more enjoyable if you play music as a background noise. When writing a creative story, I like to hear music that inspires me. I like the part where I decide whether my story's setting, theme, and characters. It's like I am making my own characters and world that I love. Nobody can tell me that I cannot include those characters since it is my story! Some may not like my characters or setting, but it really doesn't matter. It doesn't matter; it is my story and for myself. Of course, if a teacher gives me advice over an assignment, I will take the advice. Another thing, I can express myself in a way that only I understand sometimes. Poems are amazing to write as well. I really don't follow a pattern; I just write what I want. Writing really does help me express myself and let my emotions go. It's like writing your emotions and once I have ripped the paper I have written them on, it's like they are gone. They are not completely gone, but at least I have shared my true emotions with something. Music, writing, and small doodles make me feel better everyday.

How I Feel About The Ending of "The Alchemist"?

           In my opinion, the ending of The Alchemist was rather interesting. I liked the plot twist towards the end on page 168, "Because now he knew where his treasure was." His treasure was back in the abandoned church, where he had his repeating dream. I thought it was clever how in the end Santiango spoke with the voice on page 170, "If I had told you, you shouldn't have seen the Pyramids. They're beautiful, aren't they?" I still wonder who the voice was. I believe that it was God. I think that the ending statement, on page 171, "I'm coming, Fatima," does leave the readers wanting to read more, which is really good and interesting. I liked the story, and how it spoke of omens and taught me what a Personal Legend was. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the plot twist at the end!