Final answer:
Art Spiegelman portrays Jews as mice and Nazis as cats in Maus to highlight the predator-prey dynamic and reflect the dehumanization and power disparities during the Holocaust.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel Maus, the choice to portray Jews as mice and Nazis as cats reflects a point of view that underscores the predator-prey relationship between the two groups during the Holocaust. The character design intentionally mirrors the oppressive, dehumanizing, and predatory nature of the Nazi regime towards the Jewish people. This portrayal also serves as a visual metaphor for the vulnerability and innocence of the Jews contrasted with the maliciousness and power of the Nazis. The anthropomorphic representations align with historical contexts where Nazis sought to deny Jews the simple companionship of pets as another means of dehumanization. Spiegelman's distinctive art style serves as a profound commentary on the human condition and the dynamics of power and persecution within the context of one of history's most horrific genocides.