Conflicts in Maus

In the graphic novel, MAUS I: My Father Bleeds History, Art Spiegelman creates conflict that can affect the characters involved in a positive or negative manner. The man versus self conflict between Artie and his feeling of guilt concerning his mother’s death results in the comic about his last moment with his mother. Spiegelman writes that his father says “It’s so good you got it outside your system. But for me it brought in my mind so much memories of Anja” (104). This conversation between Art and his father may have affected the way Art asks about his mother when he is listening to Vladek reminisce about the war. Because of this, there may be some details about Anja and the war that Vladek left out, whether it was intentionally or unintentionally. The conflict between Vladek and Mala creates a very uncomfortable atmosphere in their house. The constant bickering makes Vladek want to get away and describe to Art his experiences. He writes that Vladek says “Mala makes me crazy. Only she talks about money. Always about my will” (Spiegelman 67). It can be inferred that Mala was just a rebound after Anja’s death. Their constant spats affect Vladek because he wants to talk to Artie more about everything rather than fight with Mala. Art is only at their house to find out about the war, and it’s clear why he doesn’t go just to spend time with his father: the constant fighting and his desire not to get in between them. The conflicts in MAUS I: My Father Bleeds History can either affect the chronological order in a positive or negative way.

Maus, Art