Art Spiegelman's Maus I And II

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During the twentieth century, the Holocaust, was one of the most cruel and horrendous events that took place. While living in concentration camps and on the streets over six million Jews and other minorities lost their lives due to being beaten, burned, and hanged to death under the direction of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Art Spiegelman's heartbreaking graphic novel, Maus I and Maus II, is told by his fathers view point. Spiegelman expresses the cruel and distressing tale of his parents in surviving the misery of the Holocaust not only thought words, but with meaningful pictures as well. Gaining the readers attention, soul, and mind Spiegelman gives and underlying account of the terrifying consequences of being a Jew in Poland during …show more content…

He portrayed the Jews as mice and the Nazis as cats to add an ironic twist and feed into the stereotypical roles of the groups during this time. The drawings Spiegelman used draws a vivid and unforgettable image into the readers mind which adds a more personal effect. Spiegelman used the method of flashback to allure the story in a personal way. This way the reader is being told the story as well, as they go through the winding tale of hope, horror, and history.

World War II and the Holocaust are two of the most written about world events in history. Numerous of books have been written and published, ranging from, historical document, personal encounters, fiction, and memoirs. Maus I and Maus II, narrate these events in an original and authentic way. Spiegelman's style can appeal to all age groups, as well as all backgrounds. After reading Maus I and Maus II, the words and visuals stays with a reader and leaves a lasting impression.

Injustice, violence, brutality, prejudice; these are all factors in life around us. But with all of the hardship comes one meaningful element that is held above the rest: Hope. Dale Carnegie once stated that “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” And that is what Vladek Spiegelman

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