The first part of Maus details the beginnings of Vladek's relationship with his first wife (and Art's mother), Anja. When they meet, Vladek is impressed with Anja's sensitivity and intelligence. She is from the wealthy Zylberberg family. The family has gotten its money from owning one of the biggest hosiery factories in Poland. They are millionaires and have a very comfortable house; when Vladek goes there, he is treated like a king and grows close to Anja.

Over time, Vladek finds out that Anja has a nervous personality. He finds pills in her closet that she takes for her nervousness and for being skinny. Later, she receives a letter to the effect that Vladek has other girlfriends, and she breaks off her communication with Vladek. Anja fears that Vladek only wants to marry her because of her family's wealth.

He goes to visit her and clears up the matter, and they are married in early 1937. Vladek lives in one of Anya's father's apartments and receives part ownership in the company and a gold watch when they are married. Later, Vladek finds out that Anja is covertly working with Communists, though she breaks off these activities when Vladek asks her to do so.