Artifact Related to Maus

Artifact:



"Passage":


Here are two very symbolic images. One of the Nazi Symbol, the swastika. And the other of the Jewish star. Both depict a vastness and a sense of lonesomeness. In the artifact, the star is in the ocean. It is separated from any outside contact or major land mass. And is surrounded by a very dark ocean and sky. To present an image that looks as vast and long as it does, the painter uses a very similar angle to that in the Maus picture. Also in Maus, the author uses varying degrees of darkness. The swastika has yet another similarity in that it is a different color/shade than its surroundings in that it is white where its surroundings are black and the Jewish star is green where its surroundings are dark blue. However in Maus, the author writes that "Anja and I didn't have where to go" and "where to go ?!". This gives a sense of confusion, and also some ability to make choice. Whereas in the the artifact, it is more of a place of exile and less of a place that would have been chosen to live in. Another contrast is that the star is crumbling, falling apart and clearly not a prosperous or thriving place. The swastika on the other hand shows buildings, a factory, and transportation/movement of product. Another distinction between the two would be that the star clearly ends in points, giving the feeling that those within the star are trapped with no where to go at all and seeming even claustrophobic. The swastika does not end, however, and looks as though there is at least some chance to escape. One final dissimilarity would be that the star is devoid of people, as far as the viewer can see, and in Maus; there are multiple people.

Overall, both the artifact painting and the panel from Maus share many similarities such as symbolism, use of dark vs. light and angle of the picture. The symbols themselves represent two opposing and conflicting symbols that were tied together due to history. And it is interesting how both of the pictures have differences and similarities that tie them together and separate them just like the symbols themselves.