Memories are sometimes all that we have from an event or
experience. Vladek has many memories of his life prior to coming to
America. What tangible objects does Vladek still have from his life in
Europe?
Looking further into Vladek;s memories, what
did Vladek experience once he found out the war was over? How did he
find Anja after the war?
Look beyond the text and explore...
Look at/Watch the video the Animated Map of the Liberation of the camps.
Read the page about Life After Liberation and watch the personal testimonies. How did Valdek, Anja, and other survivors describe life after the war. Cite specific details from the testimony you watch/historical footage you see.
Respond in 75-150 words with textual evidence from MAUS and specific details from the USHMM clips.
Vladek experienced many hardships that are very hard to overcome. From what I have read he did not have many objects or mementos from the war or before. All he had was some pictures of his family that died in the Holocaust. It makes sense that he would not keep anything to remember him of the horrible time. When the war was over he experienced happiness and friendliness from the American soldiers. He walked all the way to Sosnowiec to see Anja. But it wasn't just that. He did it by using his true love and never giving up. People like Valdek, Anja, and other survivors did their best to be emigrated to other places that were not in hatred of the Jews. An example I found was a Jewish women who actually went to different places to help the other Jews get out of those hostile areas. The reason she did this was because the Jewish people when liberated would go back to their home town to look if people survived but they were not ready for the Jewish haters still there. Vladek and Anja left their home town to America to get rid of all the horrible memories they had experienced. They described life hard and terrifying because they could not go home and they had absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteIn my life I have visited many museums, watched many videos, read books, and listened to speakers who were are related to the Holocaust. Vladek was like many other Jews around this time of their release from the concentration camp, small, scared, and anxious. as each moved on to their new lives, they had brought memories of the tragic event, but these memories were only photos. Photos from pre, post, and during the holocaust showed and educated many of how life was before, during, and after. There was a specific reasons that these memories were only just photos. If we put ourselves in their position, or just think of a devastating event that you were in, you might want memories, but definitely not the type that will remind you off the destruction and sadness of the event. This was the case for many, as we have more photos from the holocaust than actual material items. Also along with wanting to abandon their bad memories, many did not feel welcomed back in to their community, town, or even country after they were released. Two of the people who fled to come to the USA were Vladek and Anja. There were many effects that this war and holocaust had on people, and unfortunately we do not have as many material items to give us more background in what had happened. But if you think about it, no one wants to bring their worst nightmare along with them.
ReplyDeleteThe most pertinent tangible object I believe Vladek has is his prison number tattooed on his arm. It serves as a vivid reminder as to what he went through during the war. After the war both Anja and him moved to New York and dealt with heaps of depression. This with the supposed menopausal depression made Anja kill herself. I watched Ruth Webber's testimony and she said that she was angry at everyone and everything. She found it hard to love again because no one cared for herin the orphanages she lived in. All in all a lot of baggage certainly came with the survivors of the Holocaust.
DeleteMemories caused Anja and Vladek to be miserable the remainder of their lives. Everything brought back memories of miserable days and nights in the concentration camp. They seemed to feel guilt over every good thing they had, from money to clothing. They felt unworthy of anything good. Their misery also strained their relationship with each other and their son. Even though they were free, their souls never left the concentration camps.
ReplyDeleteSo many holocaust survivors were then forced to live in refugee camps before they could gain access to other countries. Sometimes they spent month or years in the refugee camp just trying to start over. This just added bad memories for them. Its not likely any of the holocaust survivors every had a day of peace in their life. (130)
Vladek does not seem too much affected by the Holocaust. His wife Anja was affected by the Holocaust because she wrote diaries about her experience. In the video clip says what concentration camps the allies liberated. The camp Vladek was liberated from was liberated by the United States. He destroyed Anja’s diaries because it just reminds of min that Anja is gone. Also reminds him about one of the worst events in his life. In the video clip is says that the Jews were given little food and had to do very laborious work. Vladek in the story says the Nazis made him to very laborious work and he had to trade items or do favors to get extra food. Life in the concentration camps was tough for Vladek because he knew he can die in a second but he was determined to make it out alive. (147)
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ReplyDeleteVladek had experienced very much distress and loss before coming to America. Vladek had to live through the Holocaust, his son's death, and wife's suicide. Vladek did experience some happiness because he was free, but part of him was still at war with the Nazi's. Vladek found Anja by looking for her and writing letters to family. Vladek was very different after the war, especially with the loss of his son. Anja battled mental problems over the death of her whole family, unfortunately she committed suicide. Vladek and Anja tried to let go of their past to move to America and start a new life. Many Jews fled to the United States, and thousands to Israel when it was created. Unfortunately many of the Jews couldn't let go of that one piece that still couldn't be taken away, the memory of the Holocaust. (142)
ReplyDeleteThe Holocaust was an event that will never be forgotten. It affected the lives of so many innocent people. In Vladek’s case I believe the memories of the time he spent in concentration camp and the images he saw will never be forgotten. After the Holocaust was over their lives were never the same. They were most likely always reseeing the terrible events they witnessed.
ReplyDeletethis therefore lead to Anja committing suicide. Another example of what a lasting impact it had in their lives is the vivid detail in which those who survived explained the time they spent being persecuted. Vladek gave an incredibly accurate as well as detailed description of what happened in the years he spent trying to evade death. We can see from many of the pictures shown in the video of just how decimated the those who survived were. It is truly amazing they have survived.(150)
Vladek and his family went through a lot of tough and heartbreaking moments in the Holocaust, as did many other people. Vladek did not bring any tangible objects back, sadly, all he could bring back is the pain and suffering he went through in those dark times. If all people search for in life is positivity, why would Vladek want to bring anything to bring back any negative moments in his life. I would have done the same thing as Vladek and not bring anything back because that will just bring back terrifying moments in his life, in which he would definitely want to try my best to forget. Vladek experienced himself grow as a more mature man because all he went through in the Holocaust taught him how to support himself and others. Vladek matured because he saw people die and saw many disgusting things go on in this camps. Also, he matured because he had to have enough discipline to survive and obey the tough Nazi guards and commanding force of Adolf hitler. Vladek found Anja after the war because he had a lot of love for her and he felt he needed to try his hardest to find her. Also, Vladek wanted to find her because he felt she is the only thing he had left after the war because they had lost everything other than each other. The fact that they had each other left was all that they felt they needed and that is why they wanted to start a new life in America, to begin a new path that will lead to a family. Vladek and Anja described their life after the war as depressing and terrible because they had to leave their original home land and start a new life from nothing. The lesson is that if you have enough hope, determination and love you can overcome any obstacle in the way, as long as you believe and trust in each other. You must have the determination to continue in your dreams to become someone in this world and to be happy. (349)
ReplyDeleteI would just like to say my paragraph was fire and i haven't read a better paragraph in my life. If you have time please read you will find that i am a scholar. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAfter Reading Maus I and II, I have learned so much more about the Holocaust and its effects on the survivors who went through hell itself. After his experience in the Holocaust, he could no longer bare to have anything in his household that would remind him of the terrible tragedy. Therefore, he got rid of Anja's journals. The only thing that he had left were pictures of his loved ones, most of whom died in the Holocaust. When Vladek found out that war was over, his first thought was to find Anja. He ended up walking miles and miles, all the way to Sosnoweik. He did this all for his loved one, Anja.
ReplyDeleteI HAD 114 words.. (Joey Parks)
ReplyDeleteThe only tangible items Vladek has of the war are pictures of his friends and loved ones pre-war and post-war. Vladek had once had Journals that were made by Anja but as they reminded him too much of the events that transpired during the war he destroyed all evidence of these journals in order to forget. After Vladek found out that the war was over he felt relief and happiness yet he also felt as if his new mission was to go and search for Anja and care for her. As he made finding Anja and caring for her his life mission we see how Vladek sacrificed himself as he walked miles upon miles and rode trains just in order to see his love again.
ReplyDelete(125 words)
Jorge Martinez-Martin
The only tangible items Vladek has of the war are pictures of his friends and loved ones pre-war and post-war. Vladek had once had Journals that were made by Anja but as they reminded him too much of the events that transpired during the war he destroyed all evidence of these journals in order to forget. After Vladek found out that the war was over he felt relief and happiness yet he also felt as if his new mission was to go and search for Anja and care for her. As he made finding Anja and caring for her his life mission we see how Vladek sacrificed himself as he walked miles upon miles and rode trains just in order to see his love again.
ReplyDelete(125 words)
Jorge Martinez-Martin
Vladek, like many other survivors, was scared and filled with horrific memories. Vladek did not bring anything with him to America accept for some pictures of lost loved ones. After the war vladek was scared and did not know what to do, all he wanted was to find Anna. He walked all the way back to Sosnoweik to be reunited with Anna. Once they were together again, they did not feel comfortable in their hometown because off all the horrific memories and anti-Semitism still in the area. Life after the war was a major struggle for all survivors because of their physical weakness, mentality (dealing with their terrible memories), and their struggle of trying to find their loved ones that were most likely dead. The personal testimonies and Mays showed me how messed up the survivors' lives had gotten, with nowhere to go and no money. (146)
ReplyDeleteFrom reading Maus I and II, I have learned more about the struggles people went through during the Holocaust and the effects on them after. In Vladek’s case, he had the diaries Anja wrote during the war. But later burned them because he did not want to be reminded of the struggles and tragedies they had experienced and seen throughout their days in the war. But aside from these diaries, the only other objects he had was the vivid and horrific memories he tells to Artie throughout the book. Vladek walked all the way to Sosnowiec to see Anja at the end of the war, but unfortunately Anja kept seeing these horrific events over and over in her head which later led her to kill herself, leaving her family behind. Many of the surviving Jews made an impact on the world by telling their inspiring stories to others in need, and have reminded us that anything is possible, even in the roughest situations. These survivors have taught us about their perseverance and determination and how they made it through the camps and eventually surviving the war. (187)
ReplyDeleteAfter the holocaust and the end of World War II, the common action to do for a holocaust survivor was to get to a safe place and even travel to another country, including America. This is exactly what Anna and Vladek did after their terrible experience during the war. They were emotionally beaten and went through many hard situations, including Vladek losing his son along the way. I feel Anja was emotionally affected way more than Vladek, especially if Anja kept a daily diary for her emotions. Even though Anja and Vladek both had the intention to travel to America, they did not travel together. They were separated and were both very eager to be together once again. Vladek was eventually able to find Anja by writing letters to her family. Even though they were able to reunite, Anja shortly commited suicide after losing a battle with her post traumatic stress. After watching the video, Vladek and Anja both felt that it was hard for them because of the past. It was almost hard for them to let go after many of the hard situations they experienced. (187)
ReplyDeleteAfter the holocaust he kept his wife's diaries until he decided he destroy them. This made Artie very mad because that would have been a crucial component in his book. After the war, he was filled with joy and happiness because of all the stress he had dealt with throughout it. He found Anja with the help of somebody that helped him locate her in a specific camp. Anja was very sad after the war and was depressed, which is evident in prisoner on a hell planet. On the other hand, Vladek was a very happy person that works out and tries to stay healthy which is evident where he is drawn riding his non-movable bicycle. (137)
ReplyDeleteVladek didn’t have any mementos, but he had the images and memories that won’t ever leave his mind. He was disgusted by the images in his head and wished he could remove them. He was horrified by the images in his head whenever he thought of them. He was relieved when he found out the war was over. He knew the suffering was near the end, but he still had to live with all the horrible memories. HE also knew after the war was over he had to find Anja. He went through a lot of searching to find her. HE walked many roads to find her. (107)
ReplyDeleteThere was only one thing that I believe Vladek had brought back with him and that was a photograph of his dear and close friends. Vladek was deeply affected by the holocaust and even became sick at times speaking of it, I was shocked when I found out he kept one item from the holocaust. Vladek did have one other item which was Anja's diaries but he did not keep it the whole time he got rid of it. What I do believe Vladek kept as memories were the intangibles such as stress, fear, and depression. Vladek only kept one thing because he did not want to reminisce or have to recall such horrific and traumatizing events. After the war was over Vladek was enlightened and some of his pain was relieved. Even after the war he still felt sorrow and pain but was determined to find Anja. (145)
ReplyDeleteVladek did not have many tangible objects that he had from Europe after the war, but something that he kept was a picture of his first born so, Richieu. After the war he was grateful to be alive and was happy to friendly to the American soldiers., but when speaking of it to his son, Artie, he sometimes became sick. Vladek was able to see Anja after the war by walking miles to Sosnowiec. Vladek with Anja, described their life as peaceful after the war and they had a second child, Artie, but things went horrible when Anja committed suicide because of her depression. An example from another survivor on their life after the war was man who was freed from the concentration camps at the age of 17. He said he was free but he had nothing and didn’t know where to go.
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DeleteIn Maus II one of the things Vladek has that reminds him of the Holocaust was his wife's diary. In the book he explains to Artie that he threw them away because they brought back the horrible times he spent in Auschwitz and the times he was hiding from the Nazis trying not to get captured. This does make Artie mad because he believed the books he was writing would have been better with another point of view. Vladek and Anja both had memories in their heads still of what they had to go through and these memories eventually led to Anja killing herself. Vladek was able to still have those memories and live to tell them to Artie so he could write the books.
ReplyDeleteThe most pertinent tangible object I believe Vladek has is his prison number tattooed on his arm. It serves as a vivid reminder as to what he went through during the war. After the war both Anja and him moved to New York and dealt with heaps of depression. This with the supposed menopausal depression made Anja kill herself. I watched Ruth Webber's testimony and she said that she was angry at everyone and everything. She found it hard to love again because no one cared for herin the orphanages she lived in. All in all a lot of baggage certainly came with the survivors of the Holocaust.
ReplyDeleteVladek did not have much tangible items, but he was very well affected by the war. His wife, Anja seemed more affected by it and went through depression. After the war, Vladek, to see Anja again, walked miles and miles just to see her. Because the holocaust was too emotional to bare, he burned all of Anja's diaries to get rid of the bad memories he has of the event. He gets rid of everything that reminds him of the war, but he decides to keep family pictures still, although most have passed away. Although going through the holocaust was the hardest time in his life, I believe if it weren't for the love he had for Anja, he wouldn't have a reason to keep going on and to stay alive. (131)
ReplyDeleteObviously, as almost all that was brought into the Holocaust was either stolen by soldiers or neighbors, Vladek only had a few memories. The most pertinent of which is his prisoner number from Auschwitz-Birkenau. He also has tangible items in the way of friends who had survived the ordeal with him such as Mala and until a few years before the book was written, his wife. His desire to see his wife helped him endure his bout with disease and starvation and finally found her. I found it interesting that the book ends with their reunion even though there must have been some problems later on regarding resettlement and recovery of one's past life. I also found it interesting that the war was over, but the Jews' struggles were not. Such problems with their old lives being forgotten by the Poles who had stolen their homes and riches caused many Jews such as Vladek to leave for America. (158)
ReplyDeleteValadek had only few memories because everything was either destroyed or stolen by the nazis. The number on Vladeks arm was the most pertinent tangible item out of the entire book. The reason for this, is because it is a permanent reminder of what he had to go through for the rest of his entire life. Also once the war was over, Anja and Vladek moved to New York where they dealt with a heap of depression which led to Anja committing suicide. (83)
ReplyDeleteVladek only had very few items from his past, but he did have his remaining prison tattoo. this was a reminder for him because it was permanently on him and every time he looked at his arm it reminded him of his dark memories from the past. once he found out the was over they moved to New York.While in New York they developed hardship with their new lives which led to Anja committing suicide. (76)
ReplyDeleteEven after Vladek was home he had old habits from the Concentration Camps, he collected things he found for other uses like tieing something. Of course Vladek still has the horrible tattooed number he was issued in the Concentration camp as well. He had to travel many miles to see Anja, Vladek later burned Anja's diary to forget the horrible past. His other memories like furniture were mostly stolen by Nazis or even his neighbors.
ReplyDeleteDuring the war most of Vladek's belongings were stolen by the Nazi's and by neighbors. He had very little personal belongings after the war. The only things he really had were his friends that survived, some pictures of his family and his wife's diaries.After the war Vladek had to find places to get food and shelter. Him and many other jews were put together while the Nazis guarded them. Vladek was eventually able to find Anja by walking and taking the train. The surivor testimonies and Vladek's story is similiar in the way that they all had to go many miles wether it be by foot or by train to find their loved ones. (115)
ReplyDeleteMemories caused Anja and Vladek to be miserable the remainder of their lives. Everything brought back memories of miserable days and nights in the concentration camp. They seemed to feel guilt over every good thing they had, from money to clothing. They felt unworthy of anything good. Their misery also strained their relationship with each other and their son. Even though they were free, their souls never left the concentration camps.
ReplyDeleteSo many holocaust survivors were then forced to live in refugee camps before they could gain access to other countries. Sometimes they spent month or years in the refugee camp just trying to start over. This just added bad memories for them.
Vladek still had a few things from his past, but most of it was either stolen or taken by the Nazis. He found Anja with the help of a friend, and she was very depressed. It was very hard for Vladek to keep his past in the past because of the diary he had of Anja's.
ReplyDeleteMost of his belongings were taken during the war. But he was left with some pictures of his family and his wife's diary. After the war was over he struggled to find food while he was walking and riding trains in order to eventually find anja.
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