Stereotypes in Maus

Let me start off by saying my post is not meant to be offensive. Yet, one thing that really struck me in the first part we had to read is the number of stereotypes the author used in describing his father, and what seems to be his deliberate use of them. Many of these stereotypes also happen to deal with money and thriftiness, something that people often associate with those of Jewish ethnicity. One prime example of this can be found at the beginning of chapter 3 when the author comes in with a new tape recorder and his father laments on how he could of got if for no more than half the price at Korvettes, which kind of pertubes the author. (pg. 73). Also, another example is shown later on page 77 when his father only gives half of what he makes on the black market to the family because he sees it necessary to save half. This kind of gives an explanation for his father's thriftiness and tightness for money when he is always saying money doesn't grow on trees. Yet, this brings me to a questions. What is the purpose of these stereotypes?  There seems to be many answers. One being they are meant to kind of poke fun, try to lighten up the atmosphere of such a dark subject, as some of the stereotypical descriptions are a little comical. Another legitimate possibility is that the stereotypes are used just to characterize his father, because being from the war generation he is probably quite thrifty, and help explain the affects of his holocaust experience. What are your guys thoughts on these stereotypical descriptions found throughout the reading, did you notice them, are they comical,  meaningful, or something else? I feel that the book will go on to explain and sort of justify many of the characteristics of the father that the author, his son, dislikes using the telling of his father's holocaust experience.