Identity Polarization and Unification in the Complete Maus Trauma and recovery both have cycles that an individual must go through to heal. For those who lived through the Holocaust, these phases were well defined and could be addressed. However, when addressed, they only address the individual, not the group or those secondarily affected. This creates a dichotomy between those experiencing internal conflict, whether survived or not, and those who experienced the external physical conflict of the Holocaust. Therefore, I will argue that internal conflict is more harmful to the individual because it polarizes both on a mental level but also in the relationships formed with others, while external conflict actually serves as a bonding agent for a group creating a common, albeit negative experience . I will demonstrate my thesis through the use of The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman. Specifically, I will examine the visual polarization between Art and his father, Vladek, in the visuals and how it relates to Art's internal conflict. Next, I will continue to analyze the graphic element of Maus by focusing on the external conflict and how the use of symbolism and visual connection creates a sense of unity and identity. Moving on to the literary aspect of the novel, I will explore Anja's internal conflict with life and how this not only polarized her mind but separated her from her son physically and mentally. Anticipating the counterargument of the strained relationship between Mala and Vladek, I will briefly discuss the subtext of their interactions and use it to move on to the unity that Vladek expresses with others who experienced the war and survivors after the war to fully expand the idea of ​​polarizatio ... .center of the paper……are units of identity and polarization. These themes are seen respectively in the external conflict of the Holocaust and the internal conflict of guilt and the will to live. Unity of identity comes from common experience and social support. Both of these are steps in the recovery process, a process that all Holocaust victims had to go through together. However, those secondarily affected or internally distressed had to suffer alone, transitioning into compulsion, a stage of trauma in which one withdraws from oneself and others. In this novel, he illustrates the importance of recovery on both a personal and group level. This importance of recovery is not limited to those who have suffered massive trauma, it is also important to those who simply suffer from guilt. A small trauma, such as a scolding from your father at a young age, can make a difference throughout your life.