The article that I was able to find that most relates to the graphic novel Maus II is written by an English Language Arts teacher, or ELA, by the name of Katie. Her article, “Why Teach Graphic Novels? And Why Now?” speaks more to the teachers of literature rather than the scholars, and focuses on the importance of using visual literacies over the traditional form of print literacies. Her argument, considering the small debate that is brought up within her text, brings about the idea of how visual literacies most often tend to have more of an effect on the new upcoming aesthetic generation. Rather than being bored by white, old British writers, students should have their horizons broadened to experience different forms and cultures that are included within the word literature. She states that in the past, professors canonized the word literature to only include a few hand selected books meticulously chosen by a committee of only ten people. Since this canonization, students have been restricted to only being allowed to see a certain side of what true literature really is, and these students have been cruelly mistreated. The world as a hole has been effected by this one point in time where the word “Literature” was defined by just a small group of men, and now she is trying to open things up by including such things as graphic novels into her curriculum. Her idea to remedy such a problem is to not create a set curriculum for each of a teachers individual classes, but rather spend some times with the kids, get to know them and how they learn, and then provide them with literature that best fits their learning styles. If the majority of the student learn better with a print text, then don’t be afraid to use one; yet, on the other hand if the students are obviously more inclined to learn better with visual aids and a visual text, then don’t feel restricted in providing one for them. All in all, it comes down to how the individual learns, Katie’s is just arguing to not restrict them from anything or in anyway, that would be the worst mistake for a teacher to make in the life of their students.
http://www.maupinhouse.com/media/upload/file/TeachingGraphicNovels_Intro.pdf
