Page 28 of V.2
In this section of Maus, Vladek recounts one of his first experiences in Auschwitz. A priest gives him his first glimpse of hope by interpreting the numbers on his arm in Hebrew. By portraying the numbers in an optimistic way, the priest gives Vladek a source of hope to look at anytime he needed one - it was printed right on his arm, after all. In addition, Spiegelman creates a pun with the word life. The priest explains that the numbers add up to eighteen, the "Hebrew number of life." Vladek then says the priest "put another life in [him]." By linking the numbers on Vladek's arm to his religion, the priest gives Vladek the conviction to persevere through Auschwitz. The number tattoo, something meant to dehumanize the Jewish, actually reassured Vladek that he would survive. Furthermore, throughout the Holocaust the Nazis tried to shame the Jewish for their religion, but Vladek's religion ended up giving him the strength to continue. Spiegelman presents these ironies to reveal that in times of crisis, one should look everywhere to find the hope to continue on, even in unexpected places. He also proves that the Nazi's were not successful in dehumanizing the Jewish or shaming their religion.
Great post! I really like your analysis on the "life" pun as well as your statement, "the Nazi's were not successful in dehumanizing the Jewish or shaming their religion." Religion creates hope, even in the most bleak circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even notice the irony in the numbers! I just assumed the priest was scamming Vladek, but it's true like you said to find hope in unexpected places. I like and agree with the moral you came up with from those panels!
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