kill or not kill

 I am getting relatively deep into the book. So far I can see that Valdek is a  genuinely resourceful man that will try to stay alive at all costs no matter what he has to do. He has many tools that help him survive the Holocaust but one trait that helps him stand out in this book is, his ability to "fake it until he makes it". for instance, Valdek, in his shining moment, when he stumbles upon a shoe repairmen job but he is not able to repair a certain tare in an SS mans boot, he privately sneaks off to a someone who can mend the tare and in turn he offers a days ration in bread as reparation for the mans hard work.

 Also being that this comic novel is written from the prospective of mostly Vladek,he has just really become the center piece of the Holocaust in my eyes. Vladek is looked to for wisdom, he has counseled young couples, and he ultimately is in charge of people's lives. whenever he is in a large group he automatically is looked upon for knowledge or is often a safe haven for others. He is the designated bread winner, not self appointed but by natural selection through the skills he was given.

There is a very particular scene in the comic where Vladek shows off his inner character or who he is when no one is looking. And I found this scene to be very intriguing simply because I found out the measure of Vladek all in this one little scene so early in the book. Literally speaking these three little panles summed up his character. So, Vladek his wife and a couple other friends are staying in an abandon house trying to hold on to the little bit of hope they still have by staying in this houses attic. Foraging for any measly scrap of food they can find in this rundown timeworn camp. Until one day a random Jew like themselves came roaming around and accidentally discovered them. Immediately the two other men that were with Vladek grabbed him up. Reason being is he could be an informant for the Germans, so you could never be to sure as to who you could trust. There fore the dilemma presented now was to let him live or kill him. naturally as Vladek being the leader of the group they asked what to do with him. He thought about his decision very thoroughly but in the end gave him the benefit of the doubt. Vladek even gave some of their food that they painstakingly had to search for.

The content of Vldeck's character is immeasurable and unquestionable. The ramifications of this whole situation is that the informant can go back to the Germans and inform them of there where-abouts. So the risks of this decition were massive but Vladeck decides to help out sumone who he feels is in need. And as a bonus he gives him food that everyone else need to survive even tho the others oppose his decisions very strongly. I'm am glad to see that Vladek can not be shaken or persuaded and is strong in all that he dose. eventually these are the very essential tools that helped him survive the Holocaust and come out on the winning side of life.