Maus: Controversial or Necessary?

 

After posting this book on my new bookstagram account (please go follow if you haven't already, a lot of my blog posts will be more accessible over there—@anemporiumofink), I thought it would make a fitting and thought-provoking article to write about. If you aren't following me on instagram, or haven't seen it yet, I talk a little bit about my thoughts on the graphic novel, Maus by Art Spiegelman. 

Despite its striking and controversial cover, Maus is a very poignant and moving tale of the author's father, Vladek Spiegelman, and his experience during World War II both as a POW, and as a Jew in Auschwitz. 

While some may criticise the graphic novel for its seemingly inappropriate form, I think it is an important piece of literature which eternalises a moment in history that we should strive to never forget. It is understandable that some people may disagree with the 'informal' presentation of the story as it is possible to view it as something that takes away from the significance and seriousness of the Holocaust. Yet I do believe that by making it a graphic novel, Spiegelman manages to make the reading experience more accessible to everyone. Furthermore, the detailed artwork, along with the limited captions, do make the novel all that more harrowing and real. 

There is an interesting quote by Theodor Adorno which says, "To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric." A lot of what comes next has to be credited to my university lecturer—thanks Gareth, you're a real one. 

In class we were presented with this quote and were asked what we thought it meant. After numerous ideas about romanticisation and glamorisation were thrown about, it turns out Adorno was attempting to state that trying to write literature in the same way they had before the Holocaust was impossible—'barbaric'. There had to be a change in the way people produced and perceived literature due to the extreme transformation the western world had undergone. 

I had to read this book for my 'Postmodern British and American Literature' module at university and was surprised at how emotive I found it—this was the first piece of literature I had read that made me feel a visceral reaction. Whilst this can be read as both a political and social commentary on the German occupation of Poland, I do believe that it is imperative this novel be read at face value—a real person's recount of their experience. Their thoughts, feelings, views, and opinions are real, and valid, and concrete. There is no abstract meaning you must search for, nor is there a hidden message woven intricately through pretentious and high-brow writing. 

I recommend this book to everyone, you must read it at least once in your life. It will alter your perspective on things, and, ultimately, understand the unthinkable. 

I hope you all have a great week! 

Katie