What is your first impression of Vladek Spiegelman? What does his initial remark about friends suggest about his personality?

"The story opens as Art tells his father that he fell and that his friends skated on without him. His father responds that until he has spent five days locked in a room with a group of people and no food, he cannot know the meaning of the word "friends."

What we learn here is that Vladek is a man of many experiences and a past that his son might just not understand. Vladek is a strong man, and he holds onto his memories. He will also make sure that his son is raised understanding the true meaning of friendship. This of course is my impression at the beginning.