READ: Dr. Rosa Luxemburg (Graphic Biography)

Socialist philosopher, economist, and teacher who was jailed for opposing German entry into the First World War, Rosa Luxemburg was murdered for calling for a German republic.

The Graphic Biography below uses “Three Close Reads”. If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

First read: skimming for gist

This will be your quickest read. It should help you get the general idea of what the graphic biography will be about. Pay attention to the title, headings, images, and layout. Ask yourself: what is this graphic biography going to be about?

Second read: understanding content

For this reading, you should be looking for unfamiliar vocabulary words, the major claim and key supporting details, and analysis and evidence. You should also spend some time looking at the images and the way in which the page is designed.

By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:

Where was Dr. Rosa Luxemburg born, and what was her social position, at first?
What did Luxemburg achieve in her life?
How did Luxemburg feel about the war? What does the quote used in this biography tell us about her feelings?
How does the artist represent Luxemburg’s feelings about the war?
Look at the design of the of central panel. What shape does it make? Why do you think the artist chose that design?

Third read: evaluating and corroborating

In this read, you should use the graphic biography as evidence to support, extend, or challenge claims made in the course.

At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:

How does this biography of Rosa Luxemburg support, extend, or challenge what you have learned about how people thought and felt about the First World War?
Compare and contrast Rosa Luxemburg’s opposition to the war to Helen Fairchild’s decision to volunteer. With whose decision are you more sympathetic? Why?

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to read! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished reading.

Dr. Rosa Luxemburg (Graphic Biography)

Writer: Trevor Getz

Artist: Liz Clarke

Socialist philosopher, economist, and teacher who was jailed for opposing German entry into the First World War, Rosa Luxemburg was murdered for calling for a German republic.

Download the Graphic Biography PDF here or click on the image above.

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