RR#2

Tara Finn

Hara

1 Novemebr 2007

RR #2

The story continues with Vladek’s concern for money visible in his refusal to hire someone to fix the leak in the roof and his snickers about Artie’s new tape recorder that he could have bought for cheaper. He then starts where he left off with his story and his return home and how it was still the same because the Germans could not destroy everything. Since Vladek came home from being a POW, many things had changed. Jews had lost all of their businesses, and work cards were now required to be anywhere so that the coupons were not abused. His friend, Ilzecki, saved him with a note and a safe haven when things were extremely bad. He offered to hide Vladek’s son so that he could remain safe, his family thought he was crazy, and later his son died. Jews were hung if they were caught dealing on the black market. Vladek began to sell jewelry and gold for petty money. In order to hide the grandparents from being taken because of their age, they built a bunker in the back to keep them safe. It did not work for long, and were sent to the gas chambers in Auschwitz. Stamps were required for all Jews in their passports. Those who did not receive one were sent to die.

Vladek then found Artie’s old comic called “Prisoner of the Hell Planet,” about his mom’s suicide. In 1943 the Jews left in the town were forced to move to a ghetto and had to pay those living in their houses. Persis, a member of the Jewish council and friend of their family, was able to take the children so that they would remain alive. This hiding did not work for long and those in the ghetto were going to Auschwitz. Tosha, Anja’s sister poisoned herself and the three children so that would not have to die from the gas. While telling his story, Vladek begins to pick up trash and make plans for it. I think part of the reason is because he was so used to having nothing for so long that even when he has nice things, he still appreciates the cheap things. Bunkers became extremely popular because they remained safe havens even when dogs came to sniff people out. People got so desperate for food that they began to chew on wood to feel the sensation of eating. Children were taught to hate the Jews as well and even screamed at them walking in the streets. Vladek was tired of hiding and wanted to sneak into Hungary so that they would be free. Little did they know, Hungary deported tens of thousands of Jews right before the war ended to Auschwitz. They found smugglers but were ticked and caught by the Gestapo. They were both sent to Auschwitz and thought they would die in the gas. They were separated men from women and Vladek was certain that he would never see Anja again.

Once again, Artie asked if he could look for him mother’s notebooks and Vladek finally told him that he had burned them after she died because he was so depressed. Artie was furious and called him a murderer. Artie wanted to get his mother’s side of the story but because his father went crazy, he would not be able to.