Maus is a serious piece of literature about a very serious
period of not-so-distant world history. Spiegelman's graphic novel certainly does not shy away from the
horror and violence of the Holocaust. Yet, I personally found moments of humor
throughout. For me, the biggest laugh was when Vladek and his friends ate the
cake that was partially made out of laundry soap. The moment was genuine and a
surprise. We can find bemusement in such a scenario, but this is a real life memory
from an actual occurrence. And these people experienced the worst humanity has
to offer; displacement, persecution, and genocide. I find it no coincidence that 3 pages after the laundry soap cake incident we have gone from comedy to tragedy as we see Vladec and Anja literally starving - going so far as to chewing on wood.
What panels or scenarios (if any) did you find humorous? Did these moments seem natural and well integrated or contrived and obligatory "comic relief?" What function does humor serve in the novel? Finally, does humor merely break tension or also contribute to it? Any examples of this in pages 61-120?
I honestly felt that 'Maus' had less to do with the Holocaust and more to do with a father/son relationship where the son fails to understand his father and instead holds a grudge or ill feelings for. I think that the story of the Holocaust was a forum for the son to try and understand his father. I hated the scene where the son walks away from his father who is trying to get him to stay and have coffee, anything to just get his son to spend time with him, and the son calls his father a "murderer". The son was so blinded by his own problems that he failed to understand what his father was really saying or what he really wanted.
ReplyDeleteI loved the scenes when Vladek would complain about his second wife ("she just wants all my money and doesn't want me to leave it all to you") and I really enjoyed the scene where Vladek had a call put through to his son that he had a heart attack just to get his son and his son's wife to stay with him for a few days.
I think that humor like this makes the reader want to love Vladek regardless of his "grumpy old man" attitude. When Vladek complains about his current wife, I felt that it was his way of showing his son just how much he truly loves Anja and misses her. I think he wanted his son to know that he still thinks about her, and that no one can replace her. The humor of seeing just how far this grumpy old man would go just to get his son to spend time with him was so adorable. It endears Vladek to the reader in ways that make you think of your own grandparents.
Unfortunately the humor does little to make the reader feel empathy for the son (at least that is the case for me.)
There was one truly interesting attempt at light humor when the son went to his therapist (who was also a surviver of the Holocaust) and we see the son grow small and then he regains his normal height only to grow small again. It wasn't as humorous as the scenes with the old Vladek and son conversations, but it does take you by surprise just enough to get a laugh out of you. I think this is because of the literal visual representation of the son feeling small as a man when he tries to compare himself to his father.
Humor is used for various reasons and in different ways all throughout 'Maus' so the reader can understand the characters, see them in a different light and to offer a break from the horror and sorrow of the experiences of the characters in the story. Humor in 'Maus' is not a one track pony, but multifaceted.
I hope some of those examples Jennifer mentioned are in Maus II. Otherwise, I'm a lousy reader. Haha. Going off what she mentioned though, I thought the bits of humor delivered by "present" Vladek were necessary to the story. His antics were endearing, and I thought it invested us even more in his stories about the holocaust (though we could probably empathize with very little investment anyway). The pedaling, and the vitamin/ pill counting bits were the funniest to me. However, the humor throughout was more of a smirky "heh" than laugh out loud funny, but it really works for the type of story being told.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazes me about survivor stories, is just how human it is to still want to experience the little things in life. While they make very life changing decisions every day, like sending Richie away, they still want very much to be comforted by the taste chocolate and cake. I guess that isn't so much about humor as it is human nature, but I've always found that fascinating.
Well, I don't know if the page numbers are screwed up or we all just have different editions or something, but for me my favorite moment of humor was in the last reading: when Vladek threw away Artie's coat and gave him one of his. A lot of the time Vladek reminds me of my stubborn grandparents, so I have to laugh about that. But for the most part, the things I laugh at are mostly the clever hiding spots, such as the chandelier and shoe tunnel hideouts. Also the illustration is super clever when the Jews are posing as Poles and wear the pig masks; I found this very interesting and intriguing.
ReplyDeleteAll of these moments seem necessary to me; humor is a natural part of life and intelligence is so important when you're fighting for your life. Vladek and Anja had a son who died in the war that Vladek seems to have treated very differently than Artie. It is kind of funny to see the difference in treatment between the brothers, although Artie gets the very blunt, ugly side of his father that Richiev did not appear to see. Humor makes the novel human. I feel that without love, cleverness, and a little humor, all of them would have died from stress. In this way, humor definitely adds to the tension; this family is trying their best to survive while staying together, but with a child they must make sacrifices and attempt to entertain him. Of course, after they find out Richiev is dead, is there humor left in their world?
To me, the most effective humor in Maus isn't so much found in scenes (such as that featuring the laundry soap cake), as it is in the general conversational tone of the narration. The most powerful moments of levity in the story often comes from dialogue and direct character interactions that seem rather small in comparison to the major historical events that are occurring on the periphery.
ReplyDeleteAs has been mentioned already in the comments, Vladek is a large part of this levity. His status as a curmudgeon is often used a source of humor, not only because it is relatable (we have all heard family members gripe and moan), but because his complaints are often juxtaposed against the much larger horrors that are awaiting at the doorstep. In a way, Vladek's ability to maintain his stubborn nature not only acts as a constant source of humor, but also as a means of maintaining his humanity even as the world seems to fall down around him.
Comedy is always most effective when it comes from a pained place, and I think we see that used pretty effectively throughout the whole of Maus. The humor may not be over the top, or bombastic, but it feels very real and honest. And that honesty is what allows what comedy is present to form such a strong emotional contact with the reader.
Absolutely the humor was necessary. It simply wouldn't be a good story if it was just a story telling how one bad thing happened after another and nothing good ever happened until the book was over. It made the story relatable, it fleshed the characters out, and it made it REAL.
ReplyDeleteFor example, from my own life, 6 years ago, my momma got breast cancer (spoiler: she beat the cancer's ass into the ground), and the chemo was pretty much the hardest part of my whole family's life together. But the pain and sadness and scariness is NOT the main thing I focus on when I tell people about our story. I do share it, because it's real and it happened and it changed me, but I focus on random dinners we all had together where we just had a good time, or getting to build some new stairs for her so she could at least walk down to our neighborhood tennis court to watch since she couldn't play anymore.
I think a really important factor to any survival/trial story is that it's not just about the fact that the main character survived, but what makes the story real and gripping it that it's about HOW they survived. Yeah, we get the bad, but we also get the good. I know my example is VASTLY different compared to Maus and the story Spiegelman is telling of surviving the Holocaust, but I feel the concept still stands.
In response to Traci's ending question, there is definitely still humor in Vladek's life, as shown in the 'present' timeline as he is narrating the story. I don't think that the humor is necessarily a device of 'Maus' as much as it is a reflection of the Jewish culture that the graphic novels concerns.
ReplyDeleteHumor is deeply rooted in Jewish culture, not only persisting through, but even fueled by the Holocaust. The phenomenon of comedy arising from such dire circumstance is labeled 'gallows humor' and has a long history. Comedy in general, and gallows humor specifically, is a means of disarming, and is often rooted in psychological self-defense. This is a thread throughout most comedians and has been discussed by academics, found in the work of Freud and Zizek, for example.
As addressed rather explicitly in the final chapter, Spiegelman is worried of his portrayal of his father as "the racist caricature of the miserly old jew" (133). I would argue that this passage shows the authors hand, included to combat any criticisms that Vladek is a fictional stereotype. Rather, the graphic novel is an accurate portrait of a man steeped in the common experience of a specific culture. Therein lies the strength, I believe, of the novel's framing.
I think that humor is very necessary in a book a serious as "Maus." Not that the humor is there to make light of the holocaust, but the reader might find the novel too depressing without some lighter moments. For me, the funniest moments are the arguments between Art and his father. It reminds me of my own interactions with my grandfather.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it seems that the humor comes out of nowhere. Perhaps this is because Art is writing real life conversations, and in reality, humor often appears from nothing. Part of the beauty of humor is its surprise. In "Maus," Art's humor gives the novel a level of reality and relatability because of how realistic the humor is portrayed and used.
At other times, Vladek relates the more humorous moments of his life's story. Often, this comes as comic relief and helps lighten the mood, but other times it is merely for our own enjoyment. I think Art Spiegelman does an excellent job of utilizing humor to lighten the tension throughout the novel, as is evident by the way the humorous portions are spaced between the more intense parts of the novel.
The panels that have Vladek calling his son and yell/requesting that he help him with his roof. That results in a side story of how the son won’t touch home improvement with a ten foot poll. The story going back and forth with Vladek’s past and the present is intended. It’s a story plotline that writers can use to relax the reader after tense moment. This keeps the reader from feeling heavy (this will end in the reader feeling depressed and tired, which results in the reader eventually rage quitting the story. I’ve been through multiple new writer stories and their stories get tossed across the room because of this issue.) The humor gives the reader a break and this is why they bring the viewer to the present after a dramatic event in Vladek’s past.
ReplyDeleteHumor is essential to any story telling, without it, the story can tend to be too over baring or dry. I think Spiegelman uses humor in just the right places, not only for comic relief but also for giving more depth to the characters. My favorite scene is probably when Vladek uses the Pig mask to disguise him self as a Polish. Those surreal, ridiculous moments always make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI think the humor is doing more than just providing comic relief, I think it adds to reality of Art and Vladek’s relationship. There is always humor to be found when two conflicting worlds interact, age and the youth. Along with Spieglman’s use of small stereotypes and situational irony used through out both sides of the stories, I find this book to just like a kind of serious sitcom.
I thought it was funny when Mala and Artie were talking about how Vladek fit a racist stereotype. It was interesting for them to discuss in the face of a narrative of horrible racism. There's a lot more irony and subtle humor than anything laugh out loud funny. I find this irony to be less comic relief and more realistic luls. With these really informative and ironic moments of human interaction, I can contextualize a historical tragedy in my modern understanding of life and irony. I think these moments really punctuate the story, and the irony serves to keep me thinking and ground me in a sense of realism.
ReplyDeleteI found that most of the more humorous parts were the exchanges between Artie and Vladek. One in particular is from the first section when Artie can't believe Vladek disposed of his coat, and made him wear the nauga-hyde wind breaker. I feel that the humor whether intentional or not gives the story even more personality. It feels like discussion between two people and makes the story that much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have to be honest here, I’m not really stricken by the humor in the same way that others seem to be. The story is told at such a meandering pace that it’s really tough to feel anything resembling comedic timing or wit when reading Maus. Best example here I can think of is at the end of chapter 4 (my page 93), Spiegelman tries to end the chapter with a comic-strip-esque punchline. Artie has just been pulling things out, looking for Anja’s diary. He’s about to leave and Mala tells him to put everything back so she doesn’t get in trouble, and Artie says ‘Okay, okay. Relax’. I turned the page expecting another panel and found nothing, so then I was like ‘Oh. I get it. That was like…a joke.’
ReplyDeleteTo the comment about Artie talking about him representing his father as the stereotypical miserly old Jew: this didn’t really seem ironic to me in a humorous way, it seemed ironic in more of a way where Spiegelman essentially felt the need to apologize for telling the story the way he did. By doing this, he’s kind of ‘hedging his bets’ as a writer by going the ‘meta’ route with it.
One of the most humorous moments for me was when Vladek, Art, and Mala are talking about how much they like the book so far, and Vladek says that even he read it, despite it being a comic. He then compares Art to Walt Disney, but has trouble coming up with the reference. Art then runs off to find a pencil so he doesn't forget the conversation.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the comic moments are very necessary. This is one of the sadest stories I've read in quite some time, and without some humor it would be very difficult to get through. Opposites are important in life, for without sadness there would be no humor, and vice versa. The sadness has importance, because from it there comes better things.
My sense of humor is different from other people. To me humor is when a strange action is taking place in a situation that can't be taken seriously. I couldn't find anything humorous about Maus because the book is based on a serious event in history. I just think that these moments were merely put in there for comic relief. It is a good mechanism to have to keep the reader interested though. Having humor in a story always make the reader believe that things will turn out for the better, whether it does or not. This type of strategy sometimes break tension but it can also create it. It all depends on the joke.
ReplyDeleteI think Art uses humor, or at least levity, pretty often in this story, to a couple different ends. I feel like they almost all seem pretty natural, nothing feeling like it juts out of the story though. Some of it certainly makes you feel uncomfortable, but I think it's to a purpose that it does that. People often say that if you can't laugh at yourself than what's the point? And I think that's a big thing that gets pushed in this story. Because everything Vladek tells us, and everything we see between Vladek and Art is pretty darn sad. A man and his wife going through the holocaust, losing people left and right. A dad trying and failing to really connect with his son. But always, there seems to be levity, and humor, from finding rats (that he says are mice, yet here he is a mouse), to the mildly humorous sided rants from a husband and wife. It's sad in situation, but humorous out of context. And it provides a two fold purpose I think, one for the reader and one for the writer. For the writer, it allows a breath, if you will. It pushes past the painful past into something a little lighter. And for us, it provides a pause of sorts. This book would be very hard to read if it were constantly sad. I know I wouldn't enjoy it near as much without Vladek's silly language he uses and some of the funny scene changes and rants. It compels the reader to like these characters. Or at least Vladek. For me, the jury is still out on Art, like many others have said. I know the story is working towards us liking him more, but man it's hard sometimes. He really doesn't treat his family well, and I find myself urging more to be said from him in all of his situations. All in all though, I appreciate the humor in this story, because it dulls the pain that this story represents. Because it's a really hard story, but one that needs to be read, and I don't think everybody could read it if it didn't have the humor alongside.
ReplyDeleteComedic relief is something that I feel is essential in any story. Why just report on all the bad things? People find humor in a lot of situations that are tough, but you have to find humor in situations in order to relieve the hard scenarios people go through. I like how Spiegelman uses light humor to lighten the situation going on in the foreground of the graphic novel. Although there is humor throughout the graphic novel thus far, it's sometimes hard for me to point out certain instances while reading; I find some of them more disturbing than funny at first (i.e. the soap cake). I find the overall interaction between Art and Vladek quite humorous. It makes the story more real and relatable.
ReplyDeleteOne scene that I thought brought some humor/levity was on page 135 when Art is showing Mala the rough draft for this book and Vladek comes in and says, “Someday you’ll be famous like what’s-his-name? Walt Disney!” Another one that comes to mind is on page 142 when Vladek rides on the train with the German soldier rather than the poles because the Germans were easier to trick. These scenes aren’t over the top funny, but the first scene reminds me when my mom refers to every game system as a Nintendo. It’s just the classic clash between old and new generations. The story needs moments like these to bring a little levity to a very grim and dark story, and also bring a sense of nostalgia as well. It’s moments like these that humanize the characters and makes me care for them. This makes the tragic moments in the story seem that much more tragic. These scenes definitely have a multifaceted purpose, which is to bring a little relief to the audience, and to make us connect to the characters in the comic.
ReplyDeleteI particularly found the cake humorous as well as it’s hard to believe that someone wouldn’t be able to tell cake mix from laundry detergent. And I do think the humor adds a hint of gentility to Vladek’s story. When we reflect on the Holocaust we naturally focus on the gravity and solemnity of the event. We seem to forget that these were real people who, despite living in constant terror, did have a few moments of lightheartedness. But I can understand why these moments were far and few since I feel like they add to the tension rather than break from it. If the imprisoned Jews were to show any kind of good humor or to even remotely relishing one another’s company I wondered if this would give the guards reason to shoot torture them. While in the ghettos and camps the Jews were obviously not supposed to enjoy themselves in any form so it would seem that if they should any kind of humor that would be reason enough to set an example of how they are expected to behave. Humor is only briefly seen through what has been read of Maus so far which further reflects further the tension and oppression the Jews went through.
ReplyDeleteMany of the comedic moments have been been mentioned, but similarly to Traci i found Vladek throwing out Artie's coat to be my favorite. There is definitely a relevance to it. Not only did it relate to the story, after Vladek just got ridiculed by his son for having cold buttons on his coat, but it relieved the tension. Which was a perfect way to end the section. It allows for a natural flow of ups and downs. Allowing the viewer to get comfortable not feel the constant stress. It also, as some others have said, brings the humanity to the story. Life has those moments of comedy, even if they are brief. While it allows for a more comforting place for the reader, it can really make upcoming events more stressful than if there was no break. It stops from numbing the viewer, healing the wound and then cutting back into it.
ReplyDeleteFor me much of the humor lies in Valdek's manner of speaking. I find myself reading many of his bubbles aloud because of his dialect and unique phrasing. Often times this humor can act as a balance against the tragic subject matter. I also like the use of masks when characters attempt to disguise their ethnicity. Showing the string tied at the back of the mask is a nice little jab to the reader so we know to play along, or perhaps to emphasize how shoddy the disguise is.
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