Motifs

In these panels, Vladek recounts how they had given Richieu to another family since they figured that what would be the safest option for their son's survival. Anja was almost completely against the idea since the family that would be taking Richieu in were complete strangers, which is evidenced by the way Spiegelman depicts her with large and shadowy eyes. Often times comic artists may choose to illustrate characters this way to depict how they are in deep emotional pain, which is true for Anja. Not only did she suffer from post-partum depression, one of her only motivators in life was her son, and to lose him would be to lose herself as well. Immediately following that panel, we are transported back to present day where Vladek is cycling. He tells Artie how they did end up giving Richieu away but also how he ended up not surviving anyways. When Vladek says this, he stops cycling for a brief moment. Cycling in this graphic novel signify the passage of time and the recollection of the past. Vladek stopping his cycling indicates how his life froze for a bit after losing his firstborn son. The memory is traumatic and painful and the action of Vladek cycling on a stationary bike illustrates how he will never be able to move on and escape the horrors of war.