Linsanity

The Maus books were very enjoyable and informative. I think the graphic novel format largely contributed how enjoyable it was. Also, without the pictures, a lot of the symbolism wouldn't exist. As we analyzed in class, reoccurring motifs are mostly symbols or images in the panels. The pictures contribute to creating a deeper meaning that the words may not be able to do alone.  The comic style also helps to make learning about the Holocaust easier. Compared with real pictures, the style makes the story a little more digestible, while not taking away from the gruesome but necessary depictions of its events.  One of the book's greatest features is the animal metaphor. By using vastly different animals, Spiegelman shows the clear racist ideologies in the war. For example, cats vs mice in the book clearly show the German's superiority. Yet in reality, they were all humans. thus having minimal differences. In this way, the book puts an emphasis on race relations and conflicts, bu...

  Page 125 depicts the Jews who survived the Nazis' search, showing them wearing pig masks. The masks illustrate how it was necessary to disguise themselves as Poles whenever they went out. Alongside the mask physically covering their face, it also metaphorically hides their true identity as Jews. Mice are typically weak and defenseless, which parallels the actual events, as seen in Chapter 5 when the Jews could do nothing but hide. The mask provides a façade so that the Jews can even be looked upon as humans, instead of prey. Also, in the two slides in the bottom right corner (in the present), the American receptionist at the bank is depicted as a dog, which historically makes sense. Overall, the animal analogies greatly help to depict the complicated relationships between countries in ww2.  After escaping, Vladek and Anja are seen walking along a path that resembles the Swastika, with the caption saying "We walked in the direction of Sosnowiec - But where to go?" The Sw...