* Primary Setting: The story is told through two distinct timelines:
* The present (1980s): This is where Art Spiegelman, the author, interviews his father, Vladek, about his experiences in the Holocaust. The setting is Art's home in New York City, where he lives with his wife, Françoise.
* The past (1930s-1940s): Vladek recounts his life in pre-war Poland and his experiences in the concentration camps during World War II.
* Locations within the past: The story moves between various locations in Poland, including:
* Sosnowiec: Vladek and Anja's hometown.
* Auschwitz: The infamous Nazi concentration camp where Vladek and Anja were imprisoned.
* Other camps: Vladek is moved to several other camps, including Gross-Rosen and Dachau.
* Symbolism: The use of animals to represent humans is a key element of the book's setting.
* Jews are depicted as mice. This choice reflects the dehumanization and vulnerability that Jews faced during the Holocaust.
* Germans are depicted as cats. This reflects the predatory nature of the Nazi regime.
By utilizing multiple settings and the symbolism of animals, Spiegelman creates a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the Holocaust.