Save Everything

    Over the course of the comic book/novel ,Maus, there was a recurring motif of saving. Vladek always wanted to save as much as possible. He would try to save his money, food, and everyday things like matches. While reading the passages, it could be inferred that Vladek's need to save sprouted from his experience during the Holocaust. During that time it was never known when the next meal would come or when the necessary supplies could be gotten.
     In one particular series of panels on page 78, Vladek tries to give Art all of Mala's leftover food that he will not eat. Vladek does not want to waste anything. Vladek states, "Ever since Hitler I don't like to throw out even a crumb"(Spiegelman 78). He then proceeds to return the half eaten food so it doesn't go to waste. In this section, readers can see the full extent of how the holocaust has changed Vladek. He goes to great lengths to save anything and everything. He repeatedly tries to persuade his son to take the food. "Please. Just taste and you'll see how good it is"(Spiegelman 78). Art clearly does not want the food, but Vladek's need to save overpowers his ability to see that so he continues to persuade. Eventually, instead of just getting rid of the little bit of cereal, he makes Art drive him to the store to return half eaten food. This selection of panels shows how the Holocaust has made Vladek have a need to save everything and how it has effected his everyday
life.

Comments

  1. Sawyer DarishOctober 6, 2019 at 11:02 AM

    I really like how you analyzed Vladek’s behavior that he learned during the Holocaust. You described really well how it changed him and his actions everyday and how this is the only way he knows how to live now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Grace DalyOctober 6, 2019 at 1:11 PM

    I liked how you analyzed the effect of Vladek's behavior on his experiences and daily rituals. The quote regarding Hitler being the reason for his actions made the rest of your blog all too real.

    ReplyDelete

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