Essay On The Use Of Illustrations In Maus I

Illustrations are an essential component of graphic novels in expressing the importance of scenes and qualities of characters within the author and illustrator’s work. Throughout the graphic novel, Maus I, the author and illustrator, Art Spiegelman, exhibits differentiating tactics in pursuance of the audience gathering visual information to determine whether or not a scene is really one of importance. For example, throughout the novel Art and his father, Vladek, are conducting interviews based on Vladek’s holocaust experience. In each of the interviews illustrated one would consider the graphics to be portrayed as mundane compared to those of key moments in the novel. For instance, in chapter 6, Vladek, Art, and Mala, Vladek’s second wife, are having a casual discussion (Spiegelman 132). The walls in this scene are plain and other than the outlining of the house, the only descriptive details are focused on the characters. Unlike the scenes that Art shares with Vladek, the key moments of Vladek’s experiences during the Holocaust are more detailed and contains what seems to be even more thought in the illustrations. By providing more intricate images of important events and characters, Art Spiegelman, allows
The illustrations in this specific scene are made to look very large. For example, God is represented as a overly sized mouse whose hands are just as large as Vladek’s body. Through the illustrations, Spiegelman does not just state that God is present in Vladek’s dream, he illustrates God and gives him specific characteristics. By presenting God in a cloak, yarmulke, and a bright light wrapped around his head, readers can identify this character as one of importance (Spiegelman 57). This scene not only provides the audience with an idea of who God is, but conveys that religion plays a significant role in the