The Importance of Imagery in Maus

The use of graphics in the novel Maus gives the reader a visual image of what the author is trying to say rather than the reader simply reading and creating their own mental image. Portraying the Nazi’s as cats and the Jews as mice was the most obvious symbolism Maus uses as that is how he wants us to view the Nazi’s preying on the Jew’s throughout his book. Without this particular symbolism and imagery we might just view the Nazi’s as people who were cold blooded killers. With Maus’ symbolism as the Nazi’s as cats and the Jews as mice it gives us more of an insight on his thoughts toward the matter and how he sees it thus giving the reader a more detailed description of how the author is trying to tell his story rather than a reader creating their own mental imagery when reading a story.