MAUS and Nazi Propaganda

The Nazi propaganda poster translates to “Hitler Youth, Germany’s Future.” The background contains multiple Nazi Germany flags that wave strongly. A façade of an eagle flies in the background. The young man is portrayed as a bronze statue with perfect facial features and a strong body.

Spiegelman’s chapter title reads “Saved.” The background is an American flag, not drawn to precision or geometry. On the left center are stoic Jewish prisoners dressed in Auschwitz prisoner outfits. On the right is Vladek portrayed as a mouse wearing casual clothing. Vladek is victimized with wrinkles and an obvious expression of sadness.

The propaganda poster portrays Nazism as the step forward for Germany. The bronze young man shows the “perfection” of the Aryan race. The chiseled chin, strong-built, and Hellenistic statue-like figure shows the racial superiority that the Germans wanted. Spiegelman portrays the opposite. The weakened and distraught Vladek shows how the Holocaust took a huge toll on the Jews, whom the Germans blamed to make them feel superior. Spiegelman exposes the pretentious and selfish portrayals of the Germans through the portrayal of Vladek as a victim.

The future foretold by the poster is a superior Germany spreading its flag to far reaching lands like the eagle. The representation of the eagle connects the German might of the past (Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire) to the hope of success of Nazis in the future. Likewise, Spiegelman connects the past to the present with the prisoners and Vladek. Through the unlikely parallelism, Spiegelman further criticizes the acts of the Germans- how the Germans’ “crusade” to achieve the romantic past destroyed generations of Jews even into the future.

Lastly, the irony of the words can be compared. The Nazis promise a better future for Germany in the poster. History proves that Nazi Germany does not prevail. The grand Swastika waving in the background is eventually destroyed. Spiegelman replaces the Nazi flags with the Star-Spangled Banner. Named “Saved,” the chapter tells of the American rescue of the Jews from the concentration camps. The irony of the title is evident in the weary Vladek. He was never really “saved” from the Holocaust; the memories, mental and physical abuse caused unrepairable damage to Vladek.

Flag of the Holy Roman Empire

Coat of Arms of Prussia