The Nature of Survival

During the Holocaust, survival was the top priority for Jews. This meant they did close to anything to make it out alive. This includes living inside garbage holes, as Miloch did in Maus I (153), and being “happy” with living with rats (Maus I, 148). Along with these and much more, the Jews turned on each other. For instance, when Vladek and his family hid in a bunker in Maus I, a Jew, who was an “informer”, discovered them. Vladek’s family naturally trusted him and “took on him pity”. This Jew was likely forced by the Gestapo to either become a spy for them or be killed. As selfish as it may sound, the need for survival greatly overpowered the sense of community the Jews felt before the war started, which is likely why this Jew chose to risk an entire family’s survival for the security of his own survival. Examples of this sad reality is shown various other times: when Richieu’s governess turns the Speigelman’s away after previously extending help (Maus I, 136), and when a Jew who fell to the floor on the trains would stab the ankles around him so he wouldn’t get stepped on (Maus II, 86). Although these actions are justifiable in the circumstances, it is still discouraging to know this reality. However, Speigelman also shows instances that completely contrast this idea of survival before morals, displaying how the Jews were able to act selflessly in order to protect others. In Maus II, Anja’s kapo is looking for her and threatens, “If you know who she is, push her forward or you’ll all suffer!” (66). However, it is seen earlier that another prisoner saw Anja previously, yet chose to stay silent. By including this selfless act, Speigelman acknowledged the luck and support that went into Art’s parents’ survival, as well as the possibility of preserving morals in life-threatening situations.