Revealing Characters in Comics

 

Photo By: Hannah Parker, " Brave Vladek as a Polish Man"

This week we were to analyze and discuss how Art Spiegleman reveals Vladek’s character in Maus, and compare it to the revelation of Lester’s character in Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel, Essex County.  In Spiegleman’s Maus, the character of Vladek is revealed through his narration of past and present events, and his interaction with his son Art. His character is also revealed through illustrations. Vladek is a Jewish Holocaust survivor that lives in Rego Park, New York with his second wife Mala, whom he constantly bickers with.  He is an old man in poor health, who dearly misses his first wife Anja, who committed suicide years ago. He has a son Artie whom he doesn’t have a close relationship with. Artie wants to know his father’s story so he can make a comic book out of it. Over the course of several visits, he tells Artie of his hard times while in hiding during WWII. Even though Vladek’s character is old, cheap, and bitter (especially to Artie), he exposes another side of himself when he talks about his experiences during the war. During the war, Vladek is extremely fearful for his life, though he shows bravery and smarts. For example, he disguises himself as a Polish man several times to hide the fact that he is a Jew in order keep his family and himself alive. Above all, he is a survivor. Valdek as an elderly man is sad, lonely, and wishes only for the company of his son and his wife back.   

Photo Provided By: Gareth Kaple,  "Vladek in Chair"

Photo Provided By: Jeff Lemire's Blogspot Page, "Lester"

In Lemire’s Essex County, the character of Lester is greatly revealed through illustrations and through his conversations with the other characters in the novel. Lester is a middle school/jr. high aged kid who has a creative imagination and constantly dresses up like a super hero. He is motherless and fatherless and is being taken care of by his Uncle Ken who is a farmer. Lester is a very sensitive boy who spends most of his time going to school and helping his uncle on the farm. Lester’s life begins to change for the better when he befriends an old washed up hockey player, Jimmy Lebeuf, who works at the gas station.   Lester is a boy who needs a strong role model in his life after loosing his parents and Jimmy fills this need. Lester is very vulnerable character who seems to be misplaced in his situation. He is picked on by his peers for his unusual behavior and dress, and is portrayed as an outcast.

There are a few character comparisons between Vladek and Lester. Vladek was revealed mostly through his narration and dialogue, where Lester was revealed greatly through illustrations, actions and dialogue between characters. Both characters have lost someone truly dear to them by death. Valdek’s wife killed herself, and Lester’s mother died of cancer. They also both feel lonely and vulnerable. Vladek is in poor health and is mostly avoided by his own son, and Lester needs someone to bond with. Another important comparison is that they both have someone living with them who doesn’t understand their needs or point of view. Lester’s Uncle Ken doesn’t seem to have the natural parenting instincts to fully provide for Lester’s needs, such as helping him to properly deal with his loss or to accept his interests. Vladek’s second wife Mala, does not listen to him and their relationship lacks respect. His conflicted relationship with his son Artie stirs up a wide range of dysfunctional emotions as well.