Maus Holocaust

The Holocaust was an event that was new to the world. It seemed like the world was ending for most Europeans during the 1940’s, especially the Jews. Due to the Holocaust, many survivors feel guilt, shameful, and depressed. What they cannot realize is that they should not feel that way because the oppressors should feel guilt, feel shameful, and depressed. In Maus, it is clear to see that Vladek has been seriously impacted by the events that he had to go through during the Holocaust. To an outsider, Vladek seems to be a nasty man, with a temper and a negative attitude, but it was these traits that he had to learn to develop during the Holocaust that helped him survive.   For example, Vladek was saving little pieces of bread, or stealing silly condiments like straws and napkins. For Art, it is hard for him to see his father all depressed and bitter, because he knows that his father is a better man than what is shown. He is torn by the success of his book because he feels like he should not be getting credit for such a tragic event. His father suffers from so much guilt that it affects Art and it is clear to see that the Holocaust did not just affect just one generation of people, but trickled down to other family members in future generations. I feel such sympathy towards Vladek because I cannot imagine what goes on in his head because of immoral regime. We will only know the stories of the survivors, and it is just sad knowing that the survivors of the holocaust only make up a small portion of the people that were actually in it. Because of all the guilt that Vladek feels, I wonder who is more of a victim, the deceased, or the survivors?