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Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science

ISSN Online: 2576-0548 Downloads: 763846 Total View: 5095530
Frequency: monthly ISSN Print: 2576-0556 CODEN: JHASAY
Email: jhass@hillpublisher.com
Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2023.04.027

Exploring Memory and Consequence in Maus through Visual Symbol Counterparts from the Perspective of Trauma Theory

Ying Liao

Chongqing University of Finance and Economics, Chongqing, China.

*Corresponding author: Ying Liao

Published: June 16,2023

Abstract

Trauma Theory was developed by scholars who studied on veterans of Vietnam War and trauma refers to the mentality and emotional response of people who experienced overwhelming events that cannot be erased from their memory easily. In light of Trauma Theory, this article explores Memory and Consequence in Maus, a two-volume graphic novel by Art Spiegelman. It is pointed out that the symbol “wire fences” in the war stands for confinement to Vladek with regard to his physical and psychological status because he kept living under the trauma and could not return to normal life; the “chimney smoke” symbolizes the brutality of the war, while “Art’s cigarette smoke” represents Art’s connection and disconnection with the war as a child of victims; although Art was born after the war, his parents, as victims of the war, could not provide him with proper care and love, resulting in that he is also obsessed by trauma developed from his unhappy early stage and alienation from his parents.

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How to cite this paper

Exploring Memory and Consequence in Maus through Visual Symbol Counterparts from the Perspective of Trauma Theory

How to cite this paper: Ying Liao. (2023) Exploring Memory and Consequence in Maus through Visual Symbol Counterparts from the Perspective of Trauma Theory. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science7(4), 818-822.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2023.04.027