Maus: A Survivor's Tale Art Spiegelman Quotes

Art Spiegelman

Quote 1

“People haven’t changed … maybe they need a newer, bigger Holocaust.” (II.2.35)

Art wonders here if the memory of the Holocaust is enough to prevent similar genocides in the future. The scary part is that it may not be.

Art Spiegelman

Quote 2

“In some ways he’s just like the racist caricature of the miserly old Jew.” (I.6.133)

Art expresses his concern that he is turning his father into a stereotype. By placing this comment within the text, he is alerting the reader to avoid racial stereotypes themselves.

Art Spiegelman

Quote 3

“His place is overrun with stray dogs and cats. […] Can I mention this, or does it completely louse up my metaphor?” (II.2.33)

Like Quote #6, a playful poke at the limits of the animal metaphor. This isn’t the only area where a character has animal pets; the German cats use dogs to track down Jews in hiding, but according to the animal metaphor, dogs should be Americans.