Vladek Spiegelman

The reading by Moraga was extremely important because we need to realize that we were not always these conditioned linear thinkers or writers. Moraga points out that our years of education in these institutions, institutions not made for us, have created this sense of amnesia about who we are and who we can become. We have tried so hard to forget our stories, myths, and culture so that we can be accepted and not marginalized. We do not realize that this is what society aims to do, a complete erasure of the narratives of

On October 11, 1906, Vladek Spiegelman was born in Częstochowa, Poland. Later In his life, he had two kids and married a woman named Anja Zylberberg. He had two sons, one was Art Spiegelman otherwise known as the author of this book and the other son was named Rysio Spiegelman. Anja later passed away and Vladek remarried to a woman named Mala Spiegelman (Couldn’t find her last name before she changed it) and currently he has 1 grandson and 1 granddaughter.

Art and Vladek have not been able to connect as much as they would like because of their contentious relationship. When discussing their relationship to Pavel, Art’s avuncular therapist, Art says, “Mainly I remember arguing with him... and being told I couldn’t do anything as well as he could” (II: 44). When Art was young, he never had a chance to truly consociate with Vladek. Vladek was too affected by the Holocaust to become close with Art, and this engendered Art and Vladek’s distant relationship. Since Art has a distant paternal relationship, it forces him to be more independent when Art could have learned a great deal from Vladek. Since they are not close, they are both losing an important part of their life, and this will have a negative effect on both of them. It also is evident that neither worked towards becoming close, as they still misunderstand each other and argue often. During an argument, Vladek says, “Always you’re so lazy! Every job we should do as to do it the right way.” Then, Art replies, “Lazy?! Damn it, you’re driving me nuts!” (II: 21). They continuously have arguments that eradicate any attempt to create a better relationship. Their irreparable differences seem to drive these arguments. When Vladek and Art approach their differences with arguments, it creates a significant burden on their relationship. This burden has caused them to become distant. Since Art is distant with Vladek, he has and is neglecting a great deal of wisdom which can be crucial for him, especially since Vladek survived an enormous genocide of the Jews. Vladek can teach Art to become resourceful, adaptive, and most of all, grateful. These traits can help Art to become a better person in a time where there is no holocaust for Art or anyone else to

Spiegelman has presented his father’s memoirs in a creative way by portraying racial groups as animals and by making the story into a graphic novel. By presenting it in comic form, Art Spiegelman is able to better capture the emotions of those in the graphic novel. Not a dedication in the conventional sense, the book eternalizes the memoirs of Vladek and those around him.

The first act is about how the Russians are amazed by a rumor that caused everyone to believe that Anastasia may have survived the Bolshevik attacks that had killed her entire family. Two wanted con men, Dimitri and Vlad Popov, hear the rumors and decide to do “the biggest con in history”, in which they will find a girl to portray as Anastasia in order to win the reward from the Dowager Empress, Anastasia’s grandmother. Dimitri and Vlad, hold auditions which turned unsuccessful for their plan at the theater in the abandoned Yusupov Palace, where Anastasia’s family had lived. After they had finished and lost all hope, a young woman named Anya approaches them to ask Dimitri about paperwork so she can get tickets for Paris. Vlad and Dimitri dismiss

6. What is the significance of Vladek’s dream about his grandfather? What recurring meaning does “Parshas Truma” have in his life?

On page 12, Vladek hops on his non-moving bicycle when his son comes because he has heart problems and riding helps. He has struggled a lot with health issues like his ex-wife, and with a lot of mental issues because of the war. Vladek started pedaling and he started with his story of before the war. Throughout the story, he kept riding his bicycle because in a way it calmed him down and make it easier to tell the story. Moreover, he had struggled a lot and have to take a lot of pills every day and this is a way to take care of himself now. Before, he never took care of himself always looking out for others. Like, he looked out for his wife and kids. He helped his wife recover from her illness and spent 3 months with her, even though he had

Despite this distance, it’s also obvious that Vladek wants to be a part of Art’s life. He meets Art outside his home, suggesting that he has been anticipating Art’s arrival for some time, and cannot wait to talk to his son. This is further emphasised by Vladek’s insistence that Mala give Art the wooden hangar, as a method of showing respect to Art. This also further illustrates Vladek’s inability to emotionally relate with Art, as instead of just saying that he loves his son, he resorts to the rather cold method of showing respect through a wooden coat hanger instead of one made of wire.

Specifically, this can be seen by the fact that Vladek’s over planning and “stinginess” are what drove Mala away from him, and perhaps even caused some of the tension between himself and Art. Overall, while Vladek’s thriftiness and financial over planning enabled his during the Holocaust, it became a nuisance to others around him later in

A common theme in many great works of literature is that of forgiveness. Through studying some of these classics, we can learn the lesson that forgiving others, lets you to let go of hate and anger, and to draw nearer to God; this helps people to be happier and to obtain peace, even in terrible circumstances. First, in Left to Tell, Immaculée was able to find comfort and peace, when she found it in her heart to forgive. Second, in Blood Brothers, Elias found comfort and strength in the understanding that Christ loves and forgives all. Third, in Les Miserables, we see the results of being selfless and choosing to forgive. In this essay, we will examine this fundamental theme in the books Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza, Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour, and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

Art and Vladek’s atypical relationship showcase the division created by the holocaust various different ways. Art immediately paints a picture of a; weak, frail, old man, who had

During the time he taught English for the KAPO, he got protection and rewards from the KAPO – fit clothes, food, hide spot. Not for so long, he got transferred to work as a tinsmith. While working as a tinsmith, Vladek had to use flattery to handle the head of the tin shop – YIDL. He smuggled clothing to exchange for “a big piece of cheese” (Maus II, 48) for YIDL. With the protection of YIDL, Vladek did not struggle and take away to work another camp.

His survival is heavily influenced by every choice he makes, from ignoring the exhortations to escape impending danger to choosing to stay with his father in spite of difficulties. His experience with the Holocaust directly shapes his role as a frontline fighter for recognition of Holocaust victims. In moving to Canada, I also shaped my role in society. My skills, such as playing sports; hobbies, such as reading; and characteristics, such as persistence and studious attitude have all developed due to my moving to Canada. My exposure to a life so plentiful in opportunities has also caused me to take many things for granted. Events in people’s lives shape who they become. Some of these circumstances are brought about by the decisions of others, while the majority of occurrences are caused by deliberate choices. These decisions can shape destiny in a life-or-death situation or a can be like a small, yet equally profound, choice to smile at a stranger. While some decisions are out of one’s hands, a conscious effort to have a positive outlook on life can still influence destiny. Like a rudder, daily decisions made with a positive mentality can steer people to a prosperous life. It does not do well to dwell on what may have happened, but rather on how the life one creates can be consequential in further extending the development of

Many of Arts memories from when he was a boy come from many from Postmemory. They are the memories that Vladek talks about from his earlier experiences from the Holocaust and of Anja. Arts memories are controlled by “the experience of those

Vladek shows a capacity to care for his son though in his own different way as he attempts to advice Art and guide him to become more like him. This is in a way an attempt to get his son to avoid falling into what Vladek considers to be bad habits. He tries to make his son more concerned about money in an effort to get him to acquire similar traits to himself. This could be due to the great importance that he attaches to money after his experiences during the holocaust when he discovered that money could save his life. Vladek is frustrated that his son is not more like him and tries to change his point of view on many issues. Unfortunately, he goes about this in his particularly unappealing and callous manner that would not serve to convince