Lack of Humanity

I chose to do my blog post on page 149 of the first book. This page shows Vladek walking into the city to take a streetcar to see Kawka in Sosnowiec.  While he was walking, he passed a group of children playing. While passing the children, the children starting yelling that he was a Jew, despite his attempt at disguising himself as a German. The children ran to their mothers, and the mothers came outside wondering what was wrong. Vladek then tries to mask the situation he was in by saying “Hail Hitler” and comforting the small children telling them that he wouldn’t hurt them. The mothers then apologized to Vladek saying, “you know how kids are.”

This scene portrays the extreme distinction between the Jews and the Germans. The scene speaks to the lack of humanity during this time. Here are young children, screaming for their mothers simply because a Jew was walking by. They were told from a young age to loathe Jews, to be afraid for their lives when a Jew walks by. It is ironic that mothers told their young children that Jews would do completely irrational things to the Germans, while the Germans were doing such horrible things to the Jews, and they would not think twice about this. Spiegelman effectively represents the actions of the people at that time. He has Vladek calming the Germans, trying to convince them that he is not here to hurt their children.

It is rather odd how Spiegelman represents the conversation between Vladek and the mothers of the children. It seems rather surreal that he approached the mothers, rather than running because then they would know he was a Jew, and tried to keep peace with them by saying “Hail Hitler.” Although they obviously share similar views as him, it is doubtful whether the mothers would simply shrug it off and think nothing of this strange man confronting their children. The mothers simply apologize for their children’s behavior and say “Hail Hitler” and carry on their way.

This scene also proves the power of coercion. Vladek has no problem hailing Hitler despite the fact that he is wrecking him and his people’s life. It is ridiculous what people would do for the simple fact of their life. Similar to this is page 113 where someone confronts a group asking for food for his starving baby. The group thinks that he is lying, and gives him no pity. This scene proves the lack of humanity during that time; it is sickening.