The real Vladek

On page 134 of Maus II, a real photo of Vladek is used for the first time. Up until this point, we are aware that the mice in the graphic novel represent the story of human characters, but it is not until now that this awareness is brought up to the forefront. By depicting his characters as mice, Spiegelman employs an aesthetic euphemism; the pain that the Jews suffered seems a little less severe; a little less real in general. However, upon seeing a true photo of Vladek, Spiegelman strikes us with the reality that all the pain and suffering depicted in the novel thus far do indeed apply to humans, those with distinct facial features, bodies, and emotions. At this point, the bridge between the characters and the readers is finally fully established.

The other notable aspect of this image is the fact that the photo was taken as a souvenir -- survivors of Auschwitz have the opportunity to be photographed in "new and clean" camp uniforms in memory of their time spent captive. This is deeply ironic: although such photos are branded as "souvenirs", they are far from a true representation of life in the concentration camps. As Vladek repeatedly describes throughout the work, possession of a new and clean uniform was virtually impossible. Prisoners could scarcely find themselves content or energized enough to present themselves in the collected demeanor that Vladek displays in the photo. However, this contradiction makes sense for the survivors in the long run. Of course, Vladek would rather keep an expertly finished self portrait than an near-death candid on his desk to see every day. The true horrors or the Holocaust are too severe to be represented through physical means, even for those tho have triumphed through it.