MAUS: Chapter 5; Mouse Holes: Why do you think vladek would prefer that art pursue a practical skill?

Vladek is very "old school". He grew up in a time when art was an academic idea with little relevance to the working man or rather mouse man. He survives the holocaust where art had even less meaning. Vladek’s practicality is a big part of what saved him. Vladek viewed art as frivolous.