The Motifs of Maus

Art Spiegelmen, in his award-winning, captivating comic, Maus, structures sequential frames in a way that produces a much larger image on the page. Each instance, not coincidentally, is used to further magnify the theme. It stems from the idea that although put in the back of the mind and seemingly replaced, the memory of surreal events will always remain somewhat present.

For instance, on page 12 of Volume 1, Art brings certain aspects of the frames together to create a bike. The reoccurring motif of the bike along with the image here amplifies the importance of the theme. Vladek pedals his bike similar to the way people worked in the concentration camps. They were both grueling tasks with no purpose. Life for Vladek had progressed, but he kept his former fixed habits. He does not want to relive what has happened, but it will forever be a part of him no matter how hard he tries to stop.

In addition, on page 116 in Volume 2, Vladek’s image again becomes the centerpiece of that page. As Vladek is reminded of the past with photos, they overwhelm him and cause a sudden pain. He looks at all those who were killed: his family, friends, and acquaintances. Over the years, he has tried to forget, but memories like those will never fade away. Only with the assistance of medication, another motif, can Vladek find relief, but that is only temporary. Medication, like the bike, further establishes the argument of the theme. Therefore, real consolation can never be achieved for him.

While Vladek attempts to remedy his life and leave the past in the past, it always comes back to him. Maus effectively presents this relationship and shows how the Nazi government truly impacted its victims.