MAUS Reflection

    Reading MAUS was a new and captivating experience for me. I was pleasantly surprised with how entertaining yet complex the comic was. It broke the stereotype that I had held about comic books. I originally thought comic books to be an escape from some of the more longer, boring books and that they were simply used for entertainment purposes. However, as I read MAUS, I realized I couldn’t be further from the truth. 

    The two books showed complexity and depth in a way that can only be shown with pictures and words. Thus, there were several motifs and symbols woven throughout the 2 comics that helped to enhance the story. Some were fairly easy to spot and others required some intense analysis. For example, one of the motifs that was present throughout both novels was how different animals showcased different nationalities. However, many illustrations/panels had motifs that were difficult to spot at first glance. It was almost like we were detectives trying to solve a case, looking at the clues and other panels to decipher the deeper meanings the drawings and designs had.

    Additionally, throughout MAUS I and II, the concept of generational trauma is seen with its characters. Vladek, a direct survivor and victim of the Holocaust, has a complicated relationship with his son Artie Spiegelman. The two are noted to not be very close. Therefore, both men suffer from trauma stemming from the Holocaust, either directly or indirectly. Artie’s trauma greatly stems from his mother’s suicide and the guilt that he feels from it. The aftereffects of the Holocaust are what traumatizes Artie. However, the two find comfort and therapy with each other. Vladek finds a coping mechanism through the recollection of his life and telling the stories of the past to his son. Artie, on the other hand, finds therapy by documenting and writing his father’s stories, starting to understand why certain things happened the way they did.