Maus II: Final Blog

For the most part, I'd say the Maus series had a pretty good ending considering the events that took place. It's a miracle that Anja survived the different concentration camps and it's an even bigger miracle that Vladek and her were able to reconnect with each other after the war. So many others were not so lucky when it came to finding their loved ones. This brings me to the photos that Vladek showed Art of his extended family members. Each person had their own story that was equally touching and heartbreaking at the same time. It just helps to reiterate how hard everyone's lives were during this trying time in history. After reading about the reunion of Vladek and Anja, it made me think more about her suicide and it depressed me to know that after everything she had been through, and being with the one she loved was not enough to keep her going within her own life. I can't imagine the pain she was feeling to think that her only escape was to take her own life. The last illustration in the novel is  Vladek's tombstone and it just brings the story full circle regarding his health. He had been so close to death so many times before and for him to die after finally telling the end of his story seems a bit symbolic to me. Overall, reading these novels has opened up a new outlook for me regarding the Holocaust. I finally realize the power of genre.