My father is a living memory of the HolocaustWhen you hear "Holocaust Survivor" you think of a new beginning, a better future, victory finally." But what happens when parents bring a child into this world and their priority is to love and protect their child In a better and safe place they have been traumatized by the past with an incredible amount of terrifying memories and experiences? In Art Spiegelman's graphic novels, MAUS 1 and MAUS 2, he exposes the true story of his father, Vladek, and his experience as a Jew during the Holocaust through images and summary stories. The relationship between Art and his father is the description essential of the book as Art has no other way to escape being a victim of his own father's past and his mother's suicide due to all the pain they suffered in Auschwitz so long ago While the years of heartbreaking grief, the mistreatment they became Art's memory playground; it could almost coincide with the fact that, as a child, his father was never really there for him. "Friends? Your friends? If you lock them together in a room without food for a week...then you might see what it's all about...Friends!" (MAUS 1 6) Artie, 10/11 years old, hurt himself from skating with his friends in Rego Park crying in his father's arms, Vladek raised him with neglect and acted out the anger of his past. This shows the gap between their father-son relationship. Not that Vladek was a bad father to Art, but a father's job is to guide and protect his son, especially when he is young. Starting from the top and falling down to the “destitute” bottom must be somewhat daunting. The direct effects Vladek faced in the camps are almost exactly how he treats others and tortures himself instead of trying to move… from the center of the card… whoever could possess it. Let's not forget Vladek how successful he was in the beginning. From a successful businessman to a black market trader, he knew English very well, was excellent at making shoes, and disguised himself whenever necessary. His second wife once said: "he is more attached to things than to people" (MAUS 1 93). Material possessions are critical because without those things (pictures, letters, food, clothing, etc.) he would not live to see another day of freedom or give hope to others and let them know that there is hope. While others chose to give up, he chose to move forward. Although Vladek's moments of courage have brought him this far, the Holocaust (the demons) will forever capture his memory. Therefore Art concludes with Vladek's last words before falling asleep: "I am tired of talking, Richeu, and enough stories for now" (Maus 2 136). Vladek survived physically but never mentally.