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| behind bars |
With a look at the statistics, the chance of survival was slim, with lack of better words. In certain countries such as Bulgaria, the survival rate was 0%- all fifty thousand people were killed in vain (Holocaust Timeline: Statistics of the Holocaust). With this in mind, Vladek's ability to survive through the camp was a combination of luck, wit, and intelligence. However, some survivors may believe it would have been better not to survive the camp, as the memories will never leave them (shown in the suicide of Anja). Nevertheless, Vladek is able to continue living despite the inability to move on. It's a bit of a conundrum isn't it? Isn't living a sign of moving through life, through time? Yet Vladeck is shown-more than once- to be weighed down by his memories through his stationary bike and stripes (both panels are shown below). His memories are like a circle- once they happened, they just kept on playing, never letting him out. He will also never lose his stripes that decked him in his Holocaust uniform.
when searched on google, Holocaust is classified as a crime. But that seems to whitewash the reality and the after effects.
In a way, the title of this blog post is opposite of its content; although Vladeck will never forget his past (hence the last drop of tea part), it is nowhere near the positive connotation given through the idea of tea.
Disclaimer: sorry about the darker side of this post- some things just cannot be taken lightly.
It's interesting about what you said about either living or dying being a conundrum. In a way, he was very lucky to survive, given the statistics, but his memories still haunted him, much like Tim O'Brien in The Things They Carried.
ReplyDeleteI liked the fact how you googled The Holocaust. It shows how there are many different meanings of the horrible genocide.
ReplyDeleteI like how you relate your blog post to tea! Very creative! I also loved the last line about the darker side of the post because the holocaust really was a dark time and should not be pictured as anything less. I also like how you included the statistics which adds to how horrible the holocaust really was!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you incorporated the fact that the holocaust isn't something that can ever be taken lightly. The words "The Holocaust" just gives a negative connotation and gives people the chills whenever they think about it. I also liked how you talked about hoe Vladek will never be truly free from the stripes like on his uniform. I kinda talked about that in my post too :) nice job!
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