Maus I

Symbolism:

Mice- depicted as Jews, they are often seen as weak, feebleminded and easily overpowered by the Mice, which in this case are Germans. Mice also have long noses that are similar to the stereotypes of Jews.

Cats- seen as dominant, slick and forceful creatures. The Cats are able to control the Rats in the work camps.

Pigs- portrayed as people from Polish descent.

Major Characters-

Art- one of two central characters in the book. Tries to get an account of his father’s experience in the war.

Vladek- primary narrator in the book. Recounts his experience in the war.

Anja- wife of Vladek, suffers from some type of eating condition. She is sent to a medical facility after being diagnosed with post partum illness.

Mala- Vladek’s second wife. Often seen as incapable of doing simple things.

Synopsis of Chapters 1-3

Art is curious about his father’s upbringing in the war and asks him to tell his story. Vladek opens up about how his first love was Lucia, a mouse that grew attached to him and would later try to sabotage his relationship with Anja. Vladek doesn’t want Art to publish the part about Lucia, because he feels that it would be disrespectful; Art agrees not to publish it. After Vladek married Anja he was given part-ownership of his father-in-laws company.

Vladek doesn’t like communists because Anja’s ex was a communist. He later discovers that Anja was secretly translating communist messages into German. After this incident, their neighbor was framed and sent to jail. Afterward, Anja’s father gives the old woman compensation for her time and sparing Anja’s life. Vladek is also given his own textile factory.

In 1938, Vladek recounts the first time he saw a swastika. Soon after other hate crimes against Jews start to appear, the factory is robbed. Vladek is drafted into the polish reserves.

Throughout the graphic novel, Vladek goes off on tangents in the middle of his story. In one occurrence, he tells Art about his glass eye.

In 1939, Anja goes to Soshowibc while Vladek is sent to war. Vladek describes his experience with trench warfare and how he accidently shot someone from his own side. This act is seen as treason and Vladek is taken as a prisoner of war.

After being sent to a work camp, Vladek agrees to volunteer as a laborer. He is sent to a camp where he able to feel a warm bed again and receives adequate meals.

When he completes his service, Vladek is told that he will be able to go home. Unfornately, this is a lie and he is sent elsewhere due to the boundaries of Poland. His knowledge of the German language saves him by disguising himself as a Polish soldier. He is eventually brought back home where he meets his parents, Anja and his two year-old son, Richieu.

Chapter 3 concludes with Vladek admitting to Art that he has thrown away his coat. Suddenly angry with this news, Art decides to leave before its time for curfew.

Synopsis of Chapters 4-6

Vladek continues his story about the events leading up to their prisonment.

Eventually they are taken in after a spy reports them to the German authorities. Luckily, Vladek and Anja are separated into a different line and their lives are spared. The same cannot be said of Vladek's father who goes after his daughter after they've been sent to the line meant to deportation. Vladek remarks that this is the last time he ever saw them.

In Chapter 5, Vladek finds out about a comic Art released titled "Prisoner of Hell" and becomes very depressed about it. Mala comments that she doesn't know how he found the comic and admits that she too was saddened by the details in the comic. "Prisoner of Hell" talked about the suicide of Anja and Art's manic depression before and after this happens.

After Art confronts Vladek about finding the comic, they decide to go to the bank when Vladek begins to have chest pains.

At the end of the chapter, Vladek breaks down about his distress and unpleasant relationship with Mala. He cries out for Anja and says that Mala is not the same. He despises Mala and her incessant need for money.