The Diary of a Young Girl

Mr. Kugler, a former employee of Otto Frank who now aides the Secret Annex residents, suggests putting a bookcase in front of the entrance of the Secret Annex because the authorities are searching homes for hidden bicycles. Mr. Voskuijl, another of Otto’s former employees, builds the case. As a result, the people in the Secret Annex find themselves bumping their heads when leaving the entrance. Peter fixes this problem by nailing a towel filled with wood shavings to the doorframe. Still, Anne complains that Peter is “hypersensitive and lazy” (34).

Tensions are growing between Mrs. Frank and Mrs. van Daan, with the two squabbling over having to share bed sheets and china. Anne remarks that she broke one of Mrs. van Daan’s soup bowls and claims the van Daans speak poor Dutch. Meanwhile, Peter gets in trouble for reading a book “written for adults” that was among the books provided by Mr. Kleiman, a Dutch resident who is assisting the Annex occupants. This leads to a fight between Peter and his father (36). Things return to normal after “three days of sullen looks and stubborn silence” (37).

A lamp has been placed above Anne’s bed so she can easily turn a light on “when I hear the guns going off” (37). She dislikes Mrs. van Daan, who scolds her for talking too much. Further, she notes she has been reading Dutch author Cissy van Marxveldt’s Joop ter Heul series of books, which are about the adventures of a young girl. In addition, she is creating a family tree with her father and working on homeschooling. Still, in Anne’s words, “we all decided I was an ignoramus” (38). Anne vows to become smarter next year. She also mentions that she is knitting a wool sweater, using fabric that “isn’t very pretty, but it’ll be warm, and that’s what counts” (38). At the end of her entry, Anne notes she had a close call when Mrs. van Daan walked into the room and asked to see her diary just after Anne had written about her.

Anne writes about Miep and Bep dealing with Otto’s annoying friend, Mr. Dreher, an elderly man who is hard of hearing. The van Daans ask Anne if she could “ever learn to love Peter like a brother, since he loves me like a sister” (40). Anne’s response is an emphatic “no.” Also, Otto and the other men of the Secret Annex come up with a way to send secret requests for help through the mail. This entry includes Anne’s first mention of Mouschi, the pet cat Peter was allowed to bring to the Secret Annex.

Anne notes that she continues to have problems with her mother and sister, but her father comes to her defense. While their family arguments aren’t as loud as those of the van Daans, Anne finds them “far from pleasant” (41). Further, Mr. and Mrs. van Daan don’t hesitate to lecture Anne, who describes an argument Mrs. van Daan began because Anne declined to have more vegetables during dinner. Otto ends the argument when he points out Mrs. van Daan herself won’t eat cabbage or beans because they give her “gas” (42).

Arguments among and between the Franks and van Daans continue. Anne remarks, “I think it’s odd that grown-ups quarrel so easily and so often and about such petty matters” (42). She feels especially targeted by these arguments, seeing herself as the subject of many debates. As an example, Anne describes one argument that broke out when they described Otto’s modesty. When Otto tells Anne, “Don’t be modest and retiring, Anne. It will get you nowhere” (44), and Mrs. Frank agrees, Mrs. van Daan describes their attitude as a “strange outlook” (44). The argument escalates until Mrs. van Daan yells at Anne for shaking her head.

Anne describes everyday life in the Secret Annex. Since they do not have a bathtub, they wash themselves in a washtub and have to use the hot water only available on the lower floor. Each of the occupants bathes in a different location, with Otto bathing in his private office and Anne and Margot taking baths in the front office. Anne describes finding a more comfortable location for bathing in the office bathroom. However, when a plumber comes to work on the water pipes to prepare them for winter, they have to use a canning jar as a chamber pot.

The occupants of the Secret Annex have another close call when an employee of Mr. Kugler, Mr. Levinsohn, does pharmacy work in the building. Anne reflects, “Who would have guessed three months ago that quicksilver Anne would have to sit so quietly for hours on end, and what’s more, that she could?” (46).

Anne is upset by what she calls Mrs. van Daan’s attempts to flirt with Otto. However, she admits that Peter “can be very amusing” (47) and describes how they make the adults laugh by cross-dressing in adult clothes. Anne continues to have issues with her mother, but Margot is never targeted because, Anne sarcastically notes, she’s a “paragon of virtue” (47).

After another confrontation with her mother, Anne writes, “I simply can’t stand Mother” (48); she discusses how she loves her father more than her mother. Also, she writes about being allowed to “read more grown-up books” (48) like Nico van Suchtelen’s Eva’s Youth. The novel is about a girl who experiences menstruation, and Anne admits she is looking forward to it.

Anne describes her fantasy of living in Switzerland with her father and being able to buy new clothes, makeup, and a pair of skates. In fact, she lists everything she would buy and how much it would cost.

The Franks learn that many of their Jewish friends have been caught by the Gestapo and sent to Westerbork, a concentration camp in the Netherlands. Anne records learning from English radio broadcasts that many Jews are being gassed; she wonders if “that’s the quickest way to die” (51).

Also, Anne heard how Miep and her neighbors did not dare to help an elderly Jewish woman out of fear of the Gestapo. Meanwhile, Bep is afraid for her boyfriend, who has to work in Germany and is in danger of being hit by a bomb. Anne is also disturbed by news that if the Gestapo cannot find a saboteur, they will execute five random civilians.

Anne discusses her coursework and learning shorthand. Like her father, she struggles with math. Anne mentions that she is getting along better with Margot; they even agree to let each other read their diaries. Also, using a scale, Anne finds out she has gained 19 pounds since moving into the Secret Annex.

The occupants of the Secret Annex have another close call when the office staff forget to warn them about a carpenter replacing the fire extinguishers in the building. Anne recalls spending the night with Miep Gies and her husband Jan.

Otto falls sick, but the Franks cannot call a doctor without exposing their hiding place. They also learn that the furniture has been removed from Mrs. van Daan’s apartment but decide not to tell her since she has been “nervous” recently. Otto encourages Anne to learn German by reading classic German authors like Schiller and Goethe. Anne’s mother teaches her some prayers in German, but Anne remarks, “they mean very little to me” (55).