Maus and Individual Differences

What I found most interesting in the book Maus, was the part in which Vladek and Anja are walking the streets of Sosnowiec during the night, and are trying to find a place to stay. Up to this point, whenever Vladek, or any of his family members, were trying to blend in with the Poles, Art Spiegelman had drawn the Jews, portrayed as mice, wearing pig masks. Vladek had wanted to find a place to stay quickly, because Anja did not blend in as well as he did. This was shown by Anja’s long tail trailing out from under her coat. This section in the book just puts a new perspective on perceived individual differences. In present day U.S., it is very difficult to differentiate between people of certain races, ethnicities, national origins, or religions. This is because there is so much variance in the population. While certain groups can be easily classified, others cannot. Also, the U.S. has incorporated two different views on our diverse population; to either conceive our nation as a melting pot in which differences based on these groups are ignored, or to preserve the cultural, religious, or racial aspects based on these groups, or both. Many people I have come in contact with outwardly practice in the “melting pot”, especially in the context of business or school. Also, many individuals preserve their cultural heritage, ignoring whether they are native to the U.S. or not. But these are individuals must follow societal norms in which all are equal. No one is better than anyone else. So with the combination of the melting pot and societal norms, there really is no need to differentiate the people, whether it be innocent (organization of environment) or discrimatory. (Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen in the sanctity of one’s own mind or home).

In the book, the Poles could differentiate between their own people and Jews. (Especially in Anja’s case). With the grouping and separating of Jews from the Poles, these differences were obviously learned and apparent. I am just wondering what was the differing characteristic that was so noticeable. Maybe hair color, facial structure, speech, skin pigment, or maybe a combination. Spiegelmen made these two groups of people completely different species. But were the differences that apparent. Or was it just the fact that the Poles didn’t necessarily care for the Jews that certain characteristics became so apparently different. Not to mention, that Poland did not have diverse population, so it was probably a lot easier to differentiate between two groups.