How Did Vladek Survive

There are several traits that helped Vladek survive once he enters the concentration camps. Some traits that help him survive once he enters the concentration camp is selfishness, his concern about wealth, and him being sneaky and clever. Vladek’s self-serving character helps him survive camp. An example of his selfish nature is when, he wants to get Art a new coat. “I have for you a warmer one. I got at Alexander’s a new jacket, and I can give to you my old one; it’s still like new!” (Spiegelman 71). He seems as if he is doing for himself rather than for Art. Later on, Valdek did not buy the new jacket for Art but for himself, and gave his old one to him. Another trait that helped Vladek survive is his concern about wealth. Valdek selfishness can be contributed back to the ordeal, where he had to take things to survive, even if it meant taking from someone else.

He chooses Anja over Greenberg because Anja is wealthier than Lucia. When he was forced into concentration camp, Valdek had nothing at the camp, and need to save to survive. “All 12 of our household were given now to live in 2 and a half small rooms, but most people had even less space, but father-in-law and Wolfe had a little influence” (Spiegelman 84). His concern about money can be seen as a consequence of how money saved him so many times from being caught in the Holocaust, through bribery. Vladek was a clever and sneaky person and that is one of the biggest traits of Valdek. Vladek pretended to work to protect himself from getting killed. He was smart enough to know that if he pretended to work when a guard walked by, he will have a higher chance at survival. The three traits helped Valdek survive during the Holocaust when he enters