Maus Essay

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Maus is a graphic memoir by Art Spiegelman, about a father, Vladek, survivor of the Holocaust and a son, Arty, who wants to know what was it like living during the Holocaust era. During the holocaust years, Vladek was advised by a rabbi that his tattooed number will bring him luck. Throughout the story, he continues to personify the luck his number represents by being persistent and hardworking. Despite suffering starvation, thirst, and not feeling well, Vladek continues to remain humble by helping his fellow inmates. Many years passed after the war ended, Vladek was portrayed as this conservative man, but there was a reason behind that mask. Vladek did not want people to step over him like he was stepped on before; he wanted to teach Arty
Arty did not meet his brother Richieu because he already passed away when Arty was born. However, he did meet his mother Anja before she commits suicide. Arty grew up as a fortunate and lucky son because he did not experience the past that his father, mother, and brother experienced. At times, Arty acts like a spoiled brat. He would take advantage of his mother and not be gentle with her. He also did not treat his father well as he ought to. Although, Arty mistreated his family members that did not mean he did not care for them because he did. He felt guilty for being unkind to them. Also, Arty has this curiosity towards his father’s and mother’s past during the Holocaust years. An example would be like in Chapter 1 of Maus within the second panel, the author wrote about his last encounter with his father and that was after his mother committed suicide. He also wrote about the last time he saw his father and that was after his father’s two heart attacks. As a good father, Vladek started telling Arty about what happened and how everything all began. Vladek never ceased to deny Arty or neglect his presence because he now only has one son. He knows how it feels to have no family supporting you. He knows that appreciating the little things in life will make such a big impact on a person’s life. Vladek became a figure who knows how to forgive people and mostly his family because he knows how it feels to loose a

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