The Character Analysis Of Maus By Art Spiegelman

“Maus” by Art Spiegelman is a compelling and masterful story of survival told by Art’s father, Vladek Spiegelman. A Jew that lived in Poland during World War II. Vladek’s accounts are recorded and published in an odd manner. Instead of the traditional biography of a Holocaust survivor, like the Elle Wiesel’s “Night,” “Maus” was made into a comic book. Not only was “Maus” a comic book, but the characters are rendered very uniquely. The Jews are drawn as mice; the Poles were drawn as pigs, Afro-Europeans are black dogs and Nazi’s are drawn as cats. The cat and mouse depiction is significant because cats and mice are natural enemies. Also, another reference to cats and mice can sum up the Nazi soldiers hunting down Jews during the Holocaust. Furthermore, the comic also describes the interview process between Art and his father, Vladek. A process that was not easy and took a long time to complete. However, by providing information about Vladek before the and war provided the reader with background information that made the story more personal. “Maus” is probably the single best introduction into learning what is and was the Holocaust. Even though there are some adult language and …show more content…
Art was resentful of his father as well. Maybe it was because of the double standard or perhaps it was because of his mother’s suicide. One thing is sure, and that is that Art also displays less than desirable character traits as well. One thing that is very evident is when Vladek asked Art to help him fix his roof. Art immediately refuses, suggesting that he hire a professional to do the job. Instead of taking the opportunity to assist his father, and showing that he is not completely worthless. Additionally, Art could have taken this opportunity to continue with his interview while bonding with his father, instead of seeing it as a choir and