Maus is the compelling story of the author's father Vladek Spiegelman and his struggle as a Jewish man during the first couple years of WWII. As the name suggests it is told in a different way than most accounts. Instead of people the author makes all the characters mice and the German people are represented as cats. In addition to that it is also told in comic book form. At first Vladek has all he could ever want, a factory, a beautiful wife and a rich father-in-law. But it all changes after he is recruited into the war. When he comes back he finds his factory had been taken over by Germans and that all Jewish people were being relocated. So begins the very start of Vladek's troubles. They move around from ghetto to ghetto making black market deals and hiding with friends just to survive. Eventually, it becomes harder and harder to get what they need to live. At the end of the book Vladek, his family, and all Jewish people are forced to present paper work to the Germans. If they pass they get shipped to the ghetto Auschwitz, the book ends with Vladek meeting his family on the side heading to Auschwitz.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Maus by Art Spiegelman
Maus is the compelling story of the author's father Vladek Spiegelman and his struggle as a Jewish man during the first couple years of WWII. As the name suggests it is told in a different way than most accounts. Instead of people the author makes all the characters mice and the German people are represented as cats. In addition to that it is also told in comic book form. At first Vladek has all he could ever want, a factory, a beautiful wife and a rich father-in-law. But it all changes after he is recruited into the war. When he comes back he finds his factory had been taken over by Germans and that all Jewish people were being relocated. So begins the very start of Vladek's troubles. They move around from ghetto to ghetto making black market deals and hiding with friends just to survive. Eventually, it becomes harder and harder to get what they need to live. At the end of the book Vladek, his family, and all Jewish people are forced to present paper work to the Germans. If they pass they get shipped to the ghetto Auschwitz, the book ends with Vladek meeting his family on the side heading to Auschwitz.
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Artie- He is a writer doing a story on his father who is a survivor of the holocaust. He is married with no kids. He doesn't visit his father a lot due to be easily annoyed by his actions. He was hurt by his mother suicide and for awhile blamed himseld.
ReplyDeleteVladek Spiegelman- Artie's father. Survivor of the holocaust. Formerly married to Anja and currently married to Mala. Hordes his things and rarely spends any money. His health is decreasing due to age and medical problems. Owned several businesses
Anja- Former wife or Vladek. Mother of Richieu and Artie. She killed herself for an unknown reason. She is described as fragile intelligent and very caring.
Mr.Zylberbergs- Anja's father. He didnt make it out of the holocaust. father-in-law of Vladek. Owned one of the biggest hosiery factories in Poland. Very wealthy.
Mrs.Zylberbergs- Anja's mother. She didnt make it out of the holocaust either. She is very wealthy and greatly cares for her daughter and family.
Mrs.Motonowa- Hid Vladek and Anja two times during the holocaust. She cares for them both and doesnt agree with the gestapo. Wont help Anja and Vladek without receiving money from them. Has a young child.
Grandmother and Grandfather- Anja's grandparents. Were considered to old so they were killed during the holocaust.
Uncle Herman and Aunt Helen- Survived the holocaust because they were in N.Y. at the time. Their two Kids Lolek and Lonia had not so they were killed.
Janina_ Richieu's governess. Turned the Spiegelmans away when they asked for help.
Mr. Lukowki-The Zylberberg's former janitor. He helped Anja and Vladek hid for a short period of time.
Kawka- Hid Anja and Valdek in her barn but made the swear if they were caught she didnt know they were in there.
Mala- Vladek current wife. Seems to only care about Vladek's money. Always complains about something.
Richieu- First son of Vladek and Anja. Died during the holocaust after being intentionally poison so the Nazi's wouldnt kill him.
I also read this book, and I enjoy how the characters where portrayed as cats and mice. This book gave a lot of insight on the Holocaust from the point of view of Vladek Spiegelman. Here is a list of characters:
DeleteVladek Spiegelman: He was one of the main characters and survived the Holocaust. He is very old and has a hard time spending money and letting go of the junk in his basement. He has breathing problems and still carries the greif of Anja passing away.
Anja: Anja was a very sensitive and beautiful lady when she was alive. She was Vladek's wife and the mother of Richieu and Artie. She had some problems at the beginning of the story and had to stay in a mental hospital. She commited suicide
Mala: Mala is Vladek's current wife and they don't get along well and argue about money a lot.
Janina: Richieu's governess
Mrs. Motonowa: She sold food at the black market and helped hid Anja and Vladek at her house while her husband worked. Vladek and Anja pay to stay at her house.
Grandma and Grandpa: They were married for a long time taken to gas chambers because they were very old .
Kawka: Helped Anja and Vladek by hiding them in her barn
The Rabbi: Vladek became friends with a rabbi at a concentration camp.
Mr. Ilzecki was a tailor, customer, and friend of Vladek.
Mrs. Zylberbergs: Anjas mother.
Mr. Zylberbergs: He was very, very wealthy had one of the biggest factiories in Poland .He was proud of his son-in-law
Abraham: A man who helped smuggle Jews to Hungary and wrote a letter to Anja and Vladek
Mr. Lukowki: The janitor who helped Anja and Vladek hide.
Richieu: Vladek and Anja's first son. He was poisoned by Tosha so he would not get killed by the Nazis
Nice overview, Tyler, Maria and Gabby! ~Ms. K
ReplyDelete