The Cat and the Mouse

   

                 In the eyes of a cat, the mouse is simply a source of sustenance. On the other hand, a mouse sees the cat as an evil predator. Perception evidently relies on position.

                Art Speigelman extends this metaphor of cat and mouse throughout his comic, Maus. In each chapter title page, he reveals a unique interpretation of the events that soon transpire. For example, on page 41 of Volume 1, Spiegelman creates an image of two, ferocious cats with guns aimed at an innocent-looking mouse. Vladek, the real soldier depicted by the scared mouse, explains how Jews were treated compared to other soldiers of different ethnic backgrounds. They “stood separate” from everyone else; the cats shouted at them, saying, “It’s all your fault, this war” (V.1, pg. 51). The German people were falsely made to believe that Jews were to blame for their failed effort in World War One and the subsequent path to recovery. Although the reality of war crimes cannot be neglected, the Nazi party had some say in the views of their people.

                Through the eyes of the cats, this mouse was filthy and the bore the blame for the problems faced by Germany.  He initiated conflict and deserved only death. Nazi propaganda made it especially clear who the public must side with. Why would someone support the greedy Jew, stealing money from the German people? It seems only logical to aid the German who reported the theft in the image. In this way, German propaganda was very effective in shaping the opinions of the public. They recruited cats to fulfill their malicious plans to exterminate the Jews.

                Brought to the ground and burdened by the cats, the mouse just like the Jews had no escape. There was no refuge to flee to. They remained all alone. While the Jews possessed fear, not understanding why persecution had come to them, the Germans filled the air with hate. Hate backed up by nothing at all.