Maus Reflection by Diego Ruiz

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Diego E. Ruiz Ruperto

Professor Cynthia Pittmann

English Intermediate 3104 - 134

24 May 2018

Maus Reflection

The Graphic Fiction Story Maus presents a reality of the World War II in a different way that helps the reader better understand the events using techniques like personification, metaphors and citing real facts and events. The way the events are presented are different from any other I had seen or heard. The vibe that the graphic novel transmits is a different one from that of a movie and that of a textbook. Having the opportunity to present the reader with more details through graphic images in the ideal moments.

A graphic story can convey feelings in a different way than text, Maus makes a great use of this style. When the story goes developing with dialogue, certain questions appear on the readers mind. For example, when the prisoners of war are being transported to different towns throughout the story one may question “from where to where they are going?”. On page 60 the author made a map where it details the cities and territories Germany had impacted at the moment.  

The dialogue in which the text is written allows a casual way of speaking, causing a casual way of understanding. One can relate their dialogue to ones that one can have with family members. The story expresses facts and history in a casual dialogue way. For example in page 45 were Vladek says “My father pulled out 14 of his teeth to escape. If you missed 12 teeth they left you go.”. This was said in the context of being part of the army and going to war. This is something I can relate to personally because of stories I have heard of people who were going to be drafted to war and did many things to avoid this. Inclusively, I had heard a similar case regarding a person’s teeth not making them eligible for war and actually pulling out his teeth before his time came.

Maus consists mostly of Vladek narrating to his son about how his life was in the war times and of their current lives. By Vladek narrating what he passed through, he would also make comments on how it was like, and the story would also present how he was in the present. This is an angle that is not seen when one sees a movie about a war because many focus on the events happening but don’t have the comments of an actual survivor throughout the events.

The use of imagery is present throughout all the story. These give evidence and more information about things being explained in the text dialogue. Like on page 90 of the story were the families were at a plaza to sign up and get their papers certified. On this page, there are two passports presented, that of Vladek and that of Anja. Both passports appear stamped, how they were supposed to be, giving evidence and an idea to the reader about how the process was in times like those.

From the story one can conclude that Vladek is a strong and persistent person, always looking for a way to live better. Even with the harsh conditions in which he was placed and with “the group” thinking of a certain way, he would believe in what he thought. On page 54, an opportunity for the prisoners of war is presented by the Germans, asking for volunteers to go work at another place were they would get more food and better housing. The first thoughts of the group was not to volunteer, they said “If we have to die, let’s die here!” (not criticizing their decision). Despite the group’s thinking, Vladek didn't agree and said “I’m not going to die and I won’t die here! I want to be treated like a human being!”. So he went off and volunteered and with him, others went. His desire to look for more, placed him in the place he is in this story, as a survivor which is something very admirable.

Maus uses many techniques to convey the message to the readers. Let it be imagery, casual dialogue and others. The correct use in the correct situations, help the author achieve the reader’s understanding of different events and situations. Making this a very impacting book, even for a person who has seen movies or gone to museums regarding these times. A different angle can make a complete change to a story.