The most resilient and resourceful survivor depicted in the graphic novel is Spiegelman’s father, Vladek. His struggle for survival began early; at the age of fourteen, Vladek was forced to abandon his education in order to work and support his family. In recounting his life to his son, Vladek shares stories of his own father’s experiences in the Russian army, where he endured 25 years in Siberia. To avoid military service himself, Vladek’s father resorted to extreme measures: “If you missed 12 teeth they let you go” (Spiegelman 45), he explains, describing how he had to pull out 14 of his own teeth. Furthermore, Vladek recounts how his father starved him for three months before his army physical examination in an attempt to ensure he would fail it. The war in 1939 against the Nazis was a harrowing experience for those in the army. Soldiers had to dig into the ground to avoid bullets and, in many cases, were forced to kill in order to survive.

The theme of survival is evident throughout the book. In the prisoner-of-war camps, Artie’s father recounts how Polish prisoners were given heated cabins, while the Jewish prisoners endured freezing nights with only their summer uniforms and thin blankets. The Jewish inmates survived on bread crusts and soup, whereas other prisoners received two meals a day. Vladek describes how he maintained his strength by bathing and doing gymnastics. He recalls, “Many others got frostbite wounds. In the wounds was pus, and in the pus was lice” (Spiegelman 53). Despite the horrific conditions, he clung to life with determination.

Vladek yearned to be treated like a human being. He refused to die. He volunteered, along with his friends, for labor assignments as prisoners of war to replace German workers. At these placements, they received better food and stayed in warm wooden houses with real beds. While working in the fields, Vladek recalls, “We had to move mountains” (Harvey 23). Working for the Germans was preferable to starving in the camps. Each passing day felt like a year as they struggled to survive.

Vladek and other prisoners who signed release forms were loaded onto a train supposedly headed to Poland but were instead taken to Lublin. While in Lublin, Vladek lived with Orbach to escape the wrath of the Nazis, who had already killed 600 released prisoners. In his attempt to reunite with his family, Vladek received help from a trainman who smuggled him across to the other side of Poland, as he lacked legal documents. Back at home, the struggle continued. The Nazis killed more Jews, and Vladek’s family survived on food coupons that barely provided enough to eat.

Sometimes, people cannot escape fate, but they can hide. Vladek and the remaining members of his family hid in bunkers and cellars when the Germans attempted to round up all the remaining Jews, with or without papers. Their hiding place was cleverly constructed, and they managed to survive even the dog searches. Vladek saved his family from the Germans, while others who had nowhere to hide did not survive. They occasionally sneaked out to obtain food and spent most of their days concealed in the bunkers. During these harrowing times, over 10,000 Jews were either taken away or shot. Only a few – the toughest – remained.

While in hiding, the people even considered killing strangers they suspected of being informers in order to survive. Eventually, they were discovered and imprisoned. Haskel, one of the Jewish police, offered to help Vladek and a few of his relatives get past the guards. They spent all their fortunes paying off people who might help them stay alive. “You must get Matka and me out too. Give your cousin this gold watch, this diamond – anything!” Vladek’s father-in-law pleaded (Gale 12). However, despite giving Haskel everything they had, he did not help them. Not even their wealth could save them now. They were at the end of their tether.