Vladek's Life

By brendanvonhofe
  • Vladek's Birth

    Vladek's Birth

    Vladek is born!
  • Vladek Meets Anja

    Vladek Meets Anja

    Vladek's cousin introduces him to Anja; a clever and good girl from a rich family.
  • Richieu's Birth

    Richieu's Birth

    Vladek and Anja's first child is born.
  • Vladek sees a swastika for the first time

    Vladek sees a swastika for the first time

    The Nazi flag is put up in the center of Vladek's town. He also started hearing stories about Jews being beaten randomly, synagogues being burned, and much more.
  • Vladek and Anja return from the Sanitarium

    Vladek and Anja return from the Sanitarium

    They return to Bielsko from their 3 month stay at the Sanitarium and Vladek hears that his factory was robbed.
  • The war begins

    The war begins

    The war begins and Vladek is on the front lines.
  • Vladek becomes a prisoner of war

    Vladek becomes a prisoner of war

    The germans take the poles as prisoners of war.
  • Vladek volunteers for labor assignments

    Vladek volunteers for labor assignments

    To get out of the POW camp, Vladek volunteers for labor assignments.
  • Vladek is released from volunteer work

    Vladek is released from volunteer work

    As per Vladek's dream, he is released from the labor assignment.
  • Vladek returns to his family in Sosnowiec.

    Vladek returns to his family in Sosnowiec.

    After making a deal with a pole on the train, Vladek is able to return to Sosnowiec.
  • Jews begin to be relocated to ghettos

    Jews begin to be relocated to ghettos

    The Nazi's start forcing Jews to move into segregated areas.
  • Anja's parents die

    Anja's parents die

    Anja and Vladek are able to avoid being taken away, but Anja's parents aren't and are sent to die.
  • Vladek and others are able to escape the ghetto

    Vladek and others are able to escape the ghetto

    By hiding in a bunker, Vladek, Anja and a couple others are able to escape the ghetto after the guards leave thinking all the Jews are gone.
  • Vladek and Anja enter Auschwitz

    Vladek and Anja enter Auschwitz

    After their plan to go to Hungary fails, they end up being taken to Auschwitz.
  • Vladek starts working as a tinman in Auschwitz

    Vladek starts working as a tinman in Auschwitz

    Vladek is able to get a job as a tinman and gets better living conditions.
  • Vladek goes to birkenau for the first time.

    Vladek goes to birkenau for the first time.

    Tinwork needs to be done in Birkenau so Vladek jumps on the opportunity and is able to see Anja for the first time since entering Auschwitz.
  • Vladek starts working in the shoe shop in Auschwitz

    Vladek starts working in the shoe shop in Auschwitz

    Vladek is able to start work reparing shoes, getting him more connections and more "luxuries" than before.
  • Vladek arranges for Anja to move to the new barracks

    Vladek arranges for Anja to move to the new barracks

    With 200 cigarettes and a bottle of vodka, Vladek is able to bribe the right people to get Anja to move to the new barracks, located near him. He notes that "It was the only time that I was happy in Auschwitz" (64).
  • Jews from Auschwitz enter Dachau

    Jews from Auschwitz enter Dachau

    After Auschwitz is evacuated, they are moved to a camp in Dachau.
  • Americans rescue Vladek and Shivek

    Americans rescue Vladek and Shivek

    After hiding out in someone's house, Americans arrive. They protect Vladek and Shivek, and in return they do some work for the Americans.
  • Vladek and Anja are at long last reunited.

    Vladek and Anja are at long last reunited.

    For the first time since Auschwitz, Vladek and Anja are finally reunited in Sosnowiec.
  • Artie is born

    Artie is born

    Artie, Vladek's second son is born.
  • Anja kills herself

    Anja kills herself

    Anja commits suicide in a bathtub.
  • Vladek dies

    Vladek dies

    At age 75, Vladek dies of a heart attack.