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Maus: A Survivor's Tale Family Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Page Number). Page numbers refer to The Complete Maus.

Quote #4

“To your father you yell in this way? … Even to your friends you should never yell this way.” (I.6.161)

A loaded statement, considering how Vladek’s Holocaust memories show the fragility of family relationships and friendships under pressure.

Quote #5

“I mean, I can’t even make any sense out of my relationship with my father … how am I supposed to make sense out of Auschwitz? … of the Holocaust?” (II.1.4)

These are questions that Maus doesn’t answer – and perhaps that’s the point.

Quote #6

“The photo never threw tantrums or got in any kind of trouble … it was an ideal kid, and I was a pain in the ass. I couldn’t compete.” (II.1.5)

You thought sibling rivalry was tough. Imagine competing with a dead child, a child so young that he died before he could do anything really bad or disappoint his parents by, oh, becoming an artist.