Screams

We've seen the "silent scream" before, and see it again in frame five of page 96. The silent scream has been used to force the readers to provide the scream we've expected. When we see Vladek's open mouth in the shape of a triangle, we expect a scream to accompany this. In this case, however, no "AAWOOWWAH!" is given. Instead we, as the readers, must summon the feeling this scream would've produced by ourselves. In the case on page 96, Vladek says that "[he mentally] screamed. But [he] couldn't [physically] scream" (96.5)-- a different take on the silent scream, as previously it was expected that the victim had not been able to scream at all. In this case, no sound came out, but Vladek persists that he still screamed. Vladek's silent scream happens after the bread he's stored is being taken from him. Vladek is extremely possessive of everything he has, and doesn't like to waste a drop of food. He is also seen shouting about food when the manager at the Shop-Rite refuses to refund Vladek's already opened and partially eaten food. Vladek finally convinces the manager to refund his food when he explains that he lived through the camps. In this instance, Vladek's experiences in Auschwitz have helped him.