Maus: A Survivor's Tale Race Quotes

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

Quote #7

“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.

Quote #8

“Zyklon B, a pesticide, dropped into hollow columns.” (II.2.61)

To the Nazis, the Jews weren’t just like vermin; they were vermin. A pesticide is used in the gas chambers.

Quote #9

“A hitch-hiker? And – oy – it’s a colored  guy, a Shvartser! Push quick the gas! […] It’s not even to compare, the Shvartsers and the Jews!”

Vladek’s own experience with racism doesn’t, unfortunately, translate into racial tolerance.