Like Father Like Son

I don’t know how I would handle losing my first born son and finding my wife in our bathtub with her wrists slit, in a pool of her blood. If the Holocaust wasn’t traumatizing enough, those two events alone are horrifying. Vladek obviously suffers from his past and he seems to embody his trauma by harboring very deep trust barriers with everyone, especially the people he’s closest to, Mala and Arthur. When Vladek lashes out at Mala, I see that as him lashing out at Anja more. They made it through the war, then she commits suicide and leaves him behind. I would never say that a tortured mind like her’s was being selfish by taking her life, however I would understand if Vladek harbored anger along with his grief. I suppose it could be deemed a betrayal of their marriage. I don’t think Vladek dislikes Mala as much he leads on. Similar situation with Arthur, I think Vladek resents himself for what happened with Riecheu. 

Vladek’s attitude and behavior towards his family only perpetuates the misery. His hostility and aloofness make it difficult for his wife and son to attach to him as if he were a normal husband and father. For Arthur, not having that paternal relationship can create a type of trauma during childhood. Coupled with Vladek’s experiences in the Holocaust, Arthur- who already has a tumultuous, disconnected relationship with Vladek- may experience survivor’s guilt from the perspective of not having endured the hardships Vladek and Riecheu had.

Telling the story as a graphic novel I suppose offers the reader a similar imaginary experience to what Arthur is picturing in his mind as his father recounts his experiences. Allowing us almost a voyeuristic look inside the story itself and Arthur’s life.