For one thing, i think it's refreshing to read a story that has very little emphasis on the typical stereotypes of Jew.
Some panels in particular that interest come randomly throughout pages 138 and 139. The whole use of the pig masks is an intriguing concept. Obviously on the cover, there is the cat (Germans) and a mouse (Jews). Obviously, the Holocaust was very much like a extreme EXTREME version of cat and mouse - the Jews always trying to escape the wrath of the Nazis by hiding in secret, usually man made hideouts. But anyways, back to the pig masks.
What do these pig masks represent? Do they represent the Jews faking as Heiler Hitlers? But when Anja and Vladek are looking for a place to stay on page 139, a pig - faced lady threatens to call the police. In any case, I believe that the pigs could symbolize the Catholic religion maybe. In essense, if we look back at history, Roman Catholicism has dominated most of the cultures and has been the least threatened religion. To further extend this idea, since the roman catholic religion has always been dominant, the "pigs" could symbolize that ignorant riches of the people of this religion.
Possibly another idea or question i should ask about the pig masks is: could it be that the pigs are Jewish Germans? Yeah, these are just some questions I have. Whoopdy doo!
And after talking with my peers, the pig masks represent the regular polish people and how anja, vladek or any other Jew is trying to be like the regular Jew or trying to act German and the like.
Final Evaluation
16 years ago
I loved how you mentioned this book not having the typical jewish sterotype. I see that in the very beginnning when it is just Artie and his father but as his story went on I began to see a few come through. Just like when his father is stingy with money even though he has plenty, and when the gards say of course you have gold items on you, you are jewish. Anyways I would be interested in finding out what you see that makes the sterotypes seem to not stick out so much!
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting that you noted the stereotypes because I think that every race has stereotypes but I think it is funny that Art looks at his father so much as such a penny-pincher. But I think it is funny how people associate Jews with being cheap although I know a lot of Jewish people whom are very wealthy so who knows.
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