Quote 13
“God damn you! You – you murderer! How the hell could you do such a thing?” (I.6.161)
Art’s anger at Vladek’s destruction of his mother’s diaries is also sparked by some sense that Vladek contributed to Anja’s death by not being sensitive enough to her needs. But Vladek repeatedly mentions how he helped Anja survive through the years in his story.
Quote 14
“I know this is insane, but I somehow wish I had been in Auschwitz with my parents so I could really know what they lived through! … I guess it’s some kind of guilt about having had an easier life than they did.” (II.1.6)
Art expresses here a guilt that many children of Holocaust survivors might feel.
Quote 15
“I’m – uh—sorry I made you talk so much, Pop.” “So, never mind, darling. Always it’s a pleasure when you visit.” (II.4.107)
Add to Art’s guilt the fact that Vladek always seems to talk himself into a heart attack whenever he has one of his recording sessions with Art.