-
Vladek has a fight with Anja Zylberberg - Character development
Vladek's old girlfriend, Lucia, is angry that he broke up with her, and so she sends an angry letter to Anja (his new girlfriend) with many false accusations about how bad Vladek's character is.
This develops the character since it shows Valdek that Lucia will haunt him as he moves on with life.
This tells him to be prepared if an event similar to this ever happens again. -
Vladek is taken prisoner - Character development
While fighting in the Polish Army against the Germans, Valdek was taken prisoner by the Nazis.
This is character development because it helps Vladek get an idea of what being in a concentration camp will be like.
This relates to the theme of being prepared because the event tells Vladek to prepare for the next time he will be in a concentration camp and try to avoid death. -
Vladek escapes from Srodula - Turning point
Vladek's cousin, Haskel, bribes the government to help him get our of Srodula. A little later, he also helps Vladek get a job.
This is a turning point since it determines that it is possible to escape from a ghetto and this will motivate him for the rest of his experiences in concentration camps.
This makes Vladek be prepared to escape a ghetto whenever he needs to (for example, if all the inmates are taken to a concentration camp). -
Vladek's first son is killed - Character development
To avoid having her children sent to a concentration camp, Tosha poisons Richelieu and two other babies
This develops the character by further bring Vladek's world back to reality by killing his son. He realizes that he needs to take better care of his future kids so they don't end up like Richelieu.
This relates to the theme of being prepared because Vladek needs to prepare everything for any future kids he might have. Even though he only has one after the war, he can't know this. -
Germany surrenders - Turning point
After a long and hard invasion by the Americas and Russians, Germany surrenders and Hitler commits suicide in a bunker.
This is a turning point because now Vladek knows that he is out of his misery and now can look forward to whatever lies in the future for him.
This relates to the theme of being prepared because he has to prepare for meeting the Americans and making a living (more long-term though). -
Art Spiegelman is born - Character development
Art Spiegelman is born to Anja and Vladek Spiegelman in Stockholm, Sweden
This develops Vladek's character because it burdens him with one more responsibility.
This relates to the theme of being prepared because now Valdek has to use the knowledge that he learned from the war to be able to treat Art Spiegelman as well as possible. -
Theme Statement
Being prepared is the only thing that will get you through hard times.
