Vladek's Relationship In Maus I, By Art Spigelman

In the graphic novel, Maus I, by Art Spigelman, the cartoonist reveals the relationship between his father, Vladek and him. Initially, the graphic novel shows the flaws between Vladek and the cartoonist attachment to another. Therefore, both Vladek and Art Spigelman’s personality crashed into each other in several incidents throughout the whole graphic novel. Additionally at the opening of Maus I, Art Spigelman demonstrates the connection between his father and him when was a young boy. Art overemotionally weeps to his father because his friends left him behind when his roller skates broke. Art predicted Vladek to be supportive towards him; however,in reality, Vladek thought Art’s problem was a minor issue, and replied back harshly saying, “If you lock them together in a rom with no food for a week… …show more content…
This quote depicts the link between the two because Vladek was one of the few victims who survived in the Holocaust. Furthermore, another event occurs between Vladek and the cartoonist is, Vladek’s OCD. When Vladek was finish counting his pills, he knocked the jar of pills down. Art Spigelman offered to help, but Vladek rejected the cartoonist’s proposal. Vladek rudely complains to Spigelman by saying, “NO! You don’t know counting pills. I’ll do it after…I’m an expert for this” (30). Vladek’s statement caused a very difficult bond among the two. In addition, Art senses guilt when he is around his own father. He hasn’t seen him in a long time when he moved, and they get into arguments when they speak to each other. Another example of guilt shows the following quote: “No way- I’d rather feel guilty! Besides I’m too busy, and he can hire someone to do the job” (99). Art feels guilty for not being a good son to Vladek for not helping out when he needed him. As a result, the tension between the two is majorly high due to their dispute. To sum up, Vladek and Art Spigelman didn’t get along very well due to the Vladek’s past, Art’s guilt, and Vladek’s