How Did Vladek Spiegelman Survive The Holocaust

1747 Words7 Pages
No one needs to be told that the jewish Holocaust is one of the darkest and most horrendous events that has happened in the human race is history. We learn it in school, we talk about it in passing, we briefly recall it, but no one really gives much thought or really much care into what happened post-Holocaust. One can not really blame anyone for this reality, but there should be more consideration. “Maus: A Survivor’s Tale” by Art Spiegelman is one of the few literary works ever to bring to attention the truth behind what it is like to survive the Holocaust. His graphic novel flips back and forth from his father, Vladek Spiegelman, during the Holocaust and in modern day. Through this incredible contrast, the reader easily picks up on how certain traits and personal characteristics of Vladek’s would have manifested from his time in the Holocaust and how they would live on today. Vladek is not an entirely likeable character. He is portrayed as a distant, overbearing and possessive father and husband. He is stubborn, rude and over all a miserable seeming man. Vladek Spieglemen’s most potent character traits of being frugal, controlling and pessimistic are caused from his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by his experiences in the Holocaust. In order to…show more content…
Motonowa. Originally, they were with a different woman named Mrs. Kowka. In both cases, Vladek and Anja rely on these women to keep them safe and hidden for as long as possible. These two women show much kindness and bravery in agreeing to hide them, while all the same demanding it be at a price. This, as we all know, is reasonable considering there own lives were at stakes by even speaking to Jews. After staying with Mrs. Motonowa for a while she is searched by the Gestapo and they return to Mrs. Kowka hoping to find shelter. Instead, she tells them of smuggles who may be able to help them, yet only betray them in the

More about How Did Vladek Spiegelman Survive The Holocaust

Open Document