Referring to the author and character in The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman?

[coconut stripes]

I was told that it was 'Spiegelman' for the author and either 'Art' or 'Artie' for the character of Art. (For those of you who don't know the text, the author is a character in his own novel). However, now my teacher says to call him 'Art' instead of 'Artie', as examiners will prefer it. Does it really matter, as long as I refer to the author by last name and character as 'Art'? I've gotten so used to writing 'Art' throughout the year that I'm finding it hard to adjust to calling him Artie.
I don't want to accidently revert between the two in the exam, as this could cause confusion.

[babushka818]

I was told that it was 'Spiegelman' for the author and either 'Art' or 'Artie' for the character of Art. (For those of you who don't know the text, the author is a character in his own novel). However, now my teacher says to call him 'Art' instead of 'Artie', as examiners will prefer it. Does it really matter, as long as I refer to the author by last name and character as 'Art'? I've gotten so used to writing 'Art' throughout the year that I'm finding it hard to adjust to calling him Artie.
I don't want to accidently revert between the two in the exam, as this could cause confusion.

I don't really understand what you mean sorry! I studied this novel in year 10 so the context might be different, but if your teacher says to call him 'Art' and you've been writing 'Art' all year, why do you need to adjust to start calling him 'Artie'?
And no it shouldn't matter. When referring to the writer always use the surname Spiegelman, but in the text, Vladek, naturally as his father, calls him both Art and Artie, so it can be appropriate to use either. Generally I'd say use Art, unless perhaps quoting, or if the context seems okay. But for clarification, Art and Artie are the same person, and both names will refer to the character in the novel, unless I believe, if you use his full name, Art Spiegelman, this should refer to the author.

[coconut stripes]

Thanks!
I think you understood what I meant perfectly 
I've been saying 'Art' in my SACS because my TEACHER didn't mind,  but now she's saying that the EXAMINERS might mind,  and that they may get confused. Also, I don't think that he's ever actually referred to as 'Art' within the novel,  just 'Artie', which is why I'm starting to doubt myself.

[babushka818]

Thanks!
I think you understood what I meant perfectly 
I've been saying 'Art' in my SACS because my TEACHER didn't mind,  but now she's saying that the EXAMINERS might mind,  and that they may get confused. Also, I don't think that he's ever actually referred to as 'Art' within the novel,  just 'Artie', which is why I'm starting to doubt myself.

ah okay yep I get it now!
Honestly I don't think they'd get confused. I don't fully recall whether 'Art' is mentioned in it or not as you say, been over a year since I read it! But they are the same character and I don't think it would matter to the examiners much if you call the CHARACTER Art or Artie, but you just have to be consistent. In English, there generally isn't a wrong or right way of doing anything, but you should be able to use Spiegelman as the author and Art or Artie as the character and provided you're consistent, examiners should be fine. Just make sure you're not using Art as the author, everything else should be right

[coconut stripes]

Thank you!
Much appreciated - I can stop worrying now 

[babushka818]

All good! Good luck with your help exams