Literature

Posted: March 26th, 2020

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Literature

Introduction

            Maus by Art Spiegelman is a graphic novel serialized from the period of 1980 to 1991. The novel contains the author’s interview on his father’s experiences as a holocaust and Polish Jew survivor. It enables the distinction of different races with a mixture of genres. From the onset, the author utilizes first-hand information in gathering of the various experiences as stated by his father, despite their strained relationship. On the other hand, his mother had committed suicide at Spiegelman’s twentieth year. With the help of his wife, the author delivers the experiences along three fronts to his father’s responses, much to the delight of the readers. At the time, the relative mainstream attention towards creativity was rare, and the author uses the opportunity to show his masterpiece. Maus by Art Spiegelman delivers a graphic novel with an informative and entertaining aspect of comic relief, despite the sensitive nature of the experiences covered in historical context.          

Discussion

            Art Spiegelman uses closure technique in the development of the graphic novel in order to communicate his message. Similarly, in comics, there has to be closure through enabling an understanding of the background information. Spiegelman uses the technique to affect a sense of understanding and relations to the events from the beginning, in the three different parts (garner 1). The knowledge from the background setting is important for the reader to grasp the intended direction used as means of capturing the events, which had historical significance. In the graphic novel, the author banks on provisional understanding of the father’s responses and experiences as means of creating relevance with the reader. It is effective and complimentary to the comic aspect of providing relevance to the reader without the expected use of humor throughout. It helps the author accomplish his intention of informing he masses.

            The main theme of power in the author’s Maus is characteristically different from comic relief through aspect of memoir and history. Comic depiction takes into account the general view of generated humor with a sense of purpose on the communicated idea or concept. However, Spiegelman uses encapsulation as means of passing the information regarding the historical injustice through power. According to Geis (14), he showed the manner of Jewish persecution, although not every presentation in it was comical. The interaction based on different panels helps depict the interaction between the author and his subject. The element on the other hand is vital for developing of the plot in the novel without losing its meaning. It considers the creative works of the author, just as in the comic books, through the acclaimed honors. The element is effective ensuring that theme highlighted is important to the audience alike.

            The conflict presented by Maus helps shape the elements of serious art despite its graphical comic nature. The quizzical sensibility achieved by the author through use of memoir and history is very different from the traditional comical depiction. In the latter instance, comical relief overdid the reflection’s theme depending on the subject chosen. However, in Maus, Spiegelman delivers the unconventional form of comic into serious art (Badman 576). The experience of the father at the hands of the inhuman individuals helps in delivering a serious angle to the message. It cannot be therefore described as comic through humorous effect. Instead, the view is altered and treated with sobriety especially on the issue raised. The descriptive nature and harrowing tales of surviving the historical events like holocaust provided the impetus needed to distinguish the book. The narration was effective for modern sensibility as opposed to the expected turn towards comic denotation.

            One of the few similarities between Maus and a comic book is the use of characterization to develop the plot and imaginative aspect. It is a form of art, which requires astute delivery for better understanding and use of imaginative content in order to capture the minds of the readers. For example, Art Spiegelman uses postmodern techniques to show race differences in the novel (Geis 17). He uses different animals to deliver on the diversity such as Jews being represented by mice, non-Jewish descents as pigs for the Poles, whereas the Germans are represented as cats. He then uses the forum of discussion as means influencing the comic genre instead of a medium. Apart from the aesthetic value the author delivers with humor, his intent on passing the message is visible and the different chapters enable comparisons. The visible graphic art used in the book delivers a thoughtful insight into the struggles that faced different races at the time, especially their treatment and sufferings.

Conclusion

            Maus by Art Spiegelman delivers a graphic novel with an informative and entertaining aspect of comic relief, despite the sensitive nature of the experiences covered in historical context. It details majority of the father’s experiences as a survivor of the holocaust. With the use of postmodern techniques in delivery, it has various similarities to comical book elements in terms of the layout, concepts of closure and encapsulation, much to the benefit of the reader. The distinct differences enable a clear identification of graphic novel representation, especially with the topic’s sensitivity.

Works Cited:

Badman, Derik. “Comic Studies.” College and Research Libraries News 70.10 (2009): 574-582. Print.

Garner, Dwight. “After a quarter-century, an author looks back at his holocaust comic.” The New York Times 12 October 2011: Print.

Geis, Deborah R. Considering Maus: Approaches to Art Spiegelman’s “survivor’s Tale” of the Holocaust. Tuscaloosa, Ala: University of Alabama Press, 2008. Print.