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Theme Statement for Maus
No amount of pain can stop you from pushing forward. -
Vladek marries Anja, the love of his life.
Anja was the love of his life, she was the reason why he would fight to survive, his motivation. This relates to the theme because Vladek has that motivation to keep pushing forward, and Anja is one of the reasons why. Positive impact. -
Vladek is called to serve the Polish army
Vladek gains firsthand traumatic experiences through war, then soon after goes through difficult labor being a prisoner of war. This relates to the theme because Vladek is going through trauma as a prisoner, but he keeps on pushing because he knows that it will become better, Vladek fights for his wife, his child. Negative impact. -
Vladek's parents are deported to Auschwitz (to later be murdered)
Vladek's loss of his parents makes him spiral into sorrow. He is alone without them, independent. Of course, his wife is there to aid him through the mourning. This event marks one of the many obstacles that Vladek had to face. But like the theme, he keeps on pushing forward, no matter what tries to push him back. Negative impact. -
Vladek and Anja go into hiding
Vladek and his wife go into hiding, making both of their lives worsen. This develops ongoing tension as they are affected more and more by the events that the war is causing. This relates to the theme because as Vladek's life is more affected by the war, it becomes harder and harder to move forward, however he keeps pushing. Negative impact. -
Vladek and Anja are sent to Auschwitz
This event separates Vladek from Anja, the love of his life. He has become alone, isolated from the people he cares most about. This relates to the theme because Vladek has to become even more resilient, he has to push harder to see Anja and work through the pain to survive. Negative Impact.
