You murdered me, mommy...

My personal life plays a large part in my connection to this graphic novel, Maus.  First, I love and respect the art of the comic (well done comics, that is).  Second, this is my first year teaching 8th grade Literature and one of my district's requirements is the coverage of Anne Frank.  I will never claim to be a history buff, far from it in fact.  This novel has been an eye opener and an excellent example of for me to learn from and pass on to my students.

That said, I was confused by the introduction of the novel which featured Valdek's history with Lucia Greenberg.  I began to think that this was the author merely trying to point out the humanity and normalcy of his father; however, through further reading I began to see another character trait emerge.  Vladek is resourceful and always seems to look out for himself - sometimes to the point of being selfish and one minded.  I think this was a character trait that Art choose to utilize and emphasize to remind the reader that his father was a human being throughout the entire experience of the Holocaust.  Despite being subjected to such brutality and the dehumanizing effect of the Nazis, Vladek retains his humanesque qualities throughout.

The appearance of "Prisoner on a Hell Planet" was definitely unexpected.  On a side note, I appreciated the stark contrast of artistic quality, but as for it's importance I am drawn two ways.  As previously explained, Vladek is truly a man after his own goals.  This experience of the death of his wife shows a true and utter breakdown which was unseen throughout the entire Holocaust experience.  How could a man who was so strong break down now after all this time?  On the other hand, I feel like this is the reader's first honest connection to the author. Up until now, it has seemed that the war has had little effect on Art's life, but this shows us a glimpse of something more.

The final word of the novel, "Murderer" is filled with strength and power.  During the escape into the "... Hell Planet" comic, Arti blames his mother for his death.  He claims that she is his murderer.  As his mother faded away into maniac depression and eventually her suicide, she drove her son to madness.  In his madness he links her depression and her obsession over him as an equivalent to the death of him.  This last word of the novel, rings back to the comic; however, it is not the mother who is claimed as committing the perfect crime - it is Vladek.  Vladek destroyed and lost the only element of Anja before the depression.  In doing so, Vladek has murdered the one image of 'mother' that Arti has always held dear.