2.What is the significance of the author's decision to portray people of different races and nationalities as different animals? What effect does this have on the understanding and impact of the story?

In Maus, the different races and nationalities within the story are portrayed as different kinds of animals. Jews, for example, are portrayed as mice, while the Germans are depicted as cats. The symbolic significance of these animals are taken from historical stereotypes as well as Spieglman's own interpretations. Check out this GradeSaver link as well,

http://www.gradesaver.com/maus/q-and-a/samilarities-bbetween-nazis-as-cats-and-jews-as-mice-58239/