The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne muses that while they “live in a paradise compared to the Jews who aren’t in hiding” (86), after the war is over, they might look back on their situation in the Secret Annex with disgust. For example, she describes how they reuse the same dishcloth and the same bedsheets, how their clothes have frayed or become too small, and how all their possessions are worn out. Next, Anne interviews the other inhabitants on their attitudes toward the war. Mr. van Daan believes the war will be over by the end of the year. Anne is skeptical that they can hold out that long. However, she admits to thinking there must be many people in hiding or with fake IDs.

Mrs. van Daan wants to get fake IDs, but Anne thinks neither the van Daans nor the Franks can afford them. Otto “is a big optimist, but he always has his reasons” (87). Of Albert, Anne just says, “he makes up everything as he goes along, and anyone wishing to contract His Majesty had better think twice” (87).

Anne mentions witnessing an air battle between British and German pilots. She also describes having to burn all of their garbage despite the heat, since they cannot risk warehouse employees seeing their trash. The Secret Annex has a scare when everyone hears a boom, and the van Daans think the building is on fire from the bombs. Everyone forgets their trouble when Albert offers to comfort a distressed Mrs. van Daan with the words, “Come into my bed, my child!” (89). Finally, Anne notes that Dutch college students are being forced to sign loyalty statements to the German government; 80% have refused, even though the penalty for not signing is being sent to a German work camp.

Anne quotes in full a poem in German that her father writes for her birthday, which Margot translates into Dutch. It includes the lines, “When you’re living with old folks, all you can do / Is put up with their nagging—it’s hard but it’s true. / The pill may be bitter, but down it must go, / For it’s meant to keep the peace, you know” (89). Anne is pleased by the poem. Upon also receiving candy and a book on Greek and Roman mythology, she remarks, “I got more than I deserve” (90).

Mr. Voskuijl is diagnosed with cancer and will die soon. Anne notes that the authorities have been confiscating radios, and the Secret Annex will have to comply to avoid suspicion. However, they still have a smaller radio. Anne observes how important the radio is as a “morale booster” (91).

Anne says she is trying not to speak her mind so much, but “it’s not easy trying to behave like a model child with people you can’t stand, especially when you don’t mean a word of it” (91). Anne has had to abandon shorthand because her eyesight has gotten worse and she is nearsighted. Her mother wants to send her to an ophthalmologist, despite the risk. The adults debate whether to try but leave the question hanging. Anne also mentions helping Bep with her office work and receiving five library books every Saturday from Miep.

Otto gives Anne permission to ask Albert for a favor. Specifically, she wants to use the desk in their room for two additional afternoons a week because it is hard to study in the common area with the rest of the occupants around. Albert refuses her initial request with an abrupt “No,” despite Anne’s politeness. With her father’s advice, she broaches the subject again. Albert rants at Anne, but Otto later intervenes and convinces Albert to let Anne use the desk. However, Anne notices he made sure to use the desk as soon as her allotted time is up. She asserts, “Anyone who’s so petty and pedantic at the age of fifty-four was born that way and is never going to change” (95).

Anne learns that thieves broke into the warehouse; in addition to stealing money and blank checks, the thieves also stole the entire allotment of ration stamps for sugar. Anne is glad the Secret Annex residents slept through the incident. Though the burglary causes a stir, Anne notes that the Annex thrives on excitement. In a postscript, she happily notes that the Allies landed in Sicily.

Anne records that North Amsterdam was devastated by a bombing. More than 200 people were killed, with countless more wounded and hospitals overwhelmed. Anne shivers at the memory of the droning sound that preceded the bombing.

Bep finds notebooks and ledgers for Margot, who has been helping with the office bookkeeping. However, since these were purchased without ration stamps, they are of very poor quality. Anne asks the Annex residents what they want to do when the war is over. Margot and Mr. van Daan wish for a hot bath, Mrs. van Daan would like a cake, Albert wants to see his wife Charlotte again, Otto would see Mr. Voskuijl, and Peter wants to go downtown. Anne herself “wouldn’t know where to begin” (96), but she would like to have her own home again and return to school.

The Secret Annex is threatened by a bombing raid. Anne has an “escape bag” (97) prepared in case they need to flee the building. However, she admits it is just for comfort. Running outside would be just as dangerous as staying inside during a bombing raid. Despite the threat, they go about their routine and have dinner. Soon, though, there are two more bombing raids, and Anne has trouble getting to sleep. The next day, they receive the good news that Mussolini, the dictator of Italy, has been overthrown.

Albert gets mad at Anne for not liking a book he recommended, Henry from Across the Street. Both Albert and Mrs. van Daan take the opportunity to criticize Anne’s upbringing. Anne reaffirms her dislike of Mrs. van Daan and claims her parents and sister dislike her as well. In a postscript, however, Anne writes, “Will the reader please take into consideration that this story was written before the writer’s fury had cooled?” (100).

Anne is annoyed by Albert’s apparent ignorance of politics, history, and other subjects. She makes fun of Mrs. van Daan for making statements like “Better to end with a bang than not to end at all” (100) while being terrified during air raids. In the meantime, the occupants of the Secret Annex catch flees from Mouschi.

Anne provides an update on everyday life in the Annex. At nine at night, they remove all blankets, pillows, sheets, and comforters from Albert’s bed to everyone’s individual beds. Anne sleeps on a divan and several chairs, while Margot sleeps on a folding bed. After, Anne takes a bath. By 10:00 p.m., she puts a blackout screen next to her bed and goes to sleep.

At 11:30 p.m., Albert returns from doing night work in Mr. Kugler’s office and goes to bed. Around 3:00 a.m., Anne gets up and uses a tin can as a portable urinal. Rather than immediately go back to sleep, she often listens for burglars or is kept awake by Albert gasping and smacking his lips in his sleep. If she is woken by loud gunfire outside, she goes to her father’s bed.

By 6:45 a.m., Anne is awoken by Mrs. van Daan’s alarm clock. Mr. van Daan is always the first to claim the bathroom. Then, by 7:15 a.m., Anne removes the blackout screen and starts her day.

Anne describes what the lunch hour is like. Everyone relaxes because the two employees who do not know of their presence, Mr. van Maaren and Mr. de Kok, have left to eat lunch. By 12:45 p.m., their friends in the office and warehouse—Mr. Gies, Mr. Kleiman, Mr. Kugler Bep, and Miep—stop by.

At 1:00 p.m., they listen to the BBC on the radio. By 1:45 p.m., Edith and Margot do the dishes, Anne does her schoolwork, and everyone else takes a nap. What follows is the “quietest hour of the day” (104) because most of the Secret Annex is asleep.

Anne talks about writing a short story, a project she has thoroughly enjoyed.

Anne paints a portrait of dinner in the Secret Annex. Mr. van Daan is served first. Anne notes that he does not tolerate disagreement with his opinions: “Once he’s spoken, his word is final. If anyone dares to suggest otherwise, Mr. van D. can put up a good fight” (105). Mrs. van Daan also enjoys “stirring up trouble” (105), especially between Anne and her mother, and complains about not getting served enough.

Peter is “quiet and hardly makes his presence known” (105), but he eats a lot. Margot eats sparingly and does not talk. While Mrs. van Daan cooks, Edith cleans the dishes and the furniture. Otto does not eat until others have been served first, and he lets the children have the best food. Albert eats a lot and says little. Although Bep is not an Annex resident, she does partake in lunch. Anne notes, “Bep’s easy to please and that pleases us” (106).

During meals, Anne resolves to talk more to herself and less to others. Miep manages to get Anne nice-looking new shoes. Unfortunately, Anne had a series of accidents which cause her to get yelled at for making noise and which leave her with an infected toe. Albert almost gets the group in trouble by having Miep pick up an anti-Mussolini book. While carrying the book, she had a run-in with a SS agent on a motorcycle and lost her temper.

Next, Anne describes the chores. Different people get the newspapers, knives, potatoes, and water. Albert peels the potatoes a certain way and criticizes Anne for not peeling the way he does. One time, according to Anne, Mrs. van Daan tried to get Albert’s attention and then started an argument with Mr. van Daan over why the British were not carrying out air raids that day. Anne claims they bicker often unless they have a real fight, in which case they do not talk to each other.

When Bep arrives at 5:30 p.m., it signals “the beginning of our nightly freedom” (110). Bep comes to take the residents’ requests, and Mrs. van Daan is the most demanding. They then leave the Secret Annex. Margot and Anne help with office work, Peter goes to the warehouse, and Edith and Mrs. van Daan prepare the water and potatoes. Anne describes Peter luring Mouschi back into the Secret Annex with a piece of bread. Albert cannot get any writing paper from the office because there is an open window through which people outside can see him. Anne and Margot work until they hear three taps, which signal dinner.

At 8:30 in the morning, the occupants of the Secret Annex must be quiet. They cannot run water, flush the toilet, or even walk around. The Franks read and study until it is time for breakfast at 9:00 a.m.

Anne is delighted to learn that Italy has surrendered to the Allies. However, Mr. Kleiman’s condition has worsened, and he must go to the hospital for an operation.

Anne writes, “Relationships here in the Annex are getting worse all the time” (113). They have even stopped sharing conversation during meals. Anne has begun taking valerian, an herbal medicine, for depression and anxiety.

In particular, the Annex inhabitants are worried about winter and the suspicions of Mr. van Maaren, a warehouse employee. To avoid arousing his suspicions, Mr. Kugler once had to stay in the Secret Annex for longer than he intended, then spent 15 minutes stealthily descending the stairs.

It is Mrs. van Daan’s birthday. Because of the low supplies, the only gifts are extra ration stamps and a jar of jam. Bep is stressed by the demands put on her and by “boyfriend troubles” (114). Albert starts an argument, claiming he is being treated badly by everyone else. Edith makes him promise to behave better, but Anne is skeptical. Otto suspects the van Daans have been hoarding meat.

The last of Mr. van Daan’s money was left in the warehouse and has been stolen. Mrs. van Daan refuses to sell any of her clothes and insists the office should provide for their upkeep. They try to sell Peter’s bike, but no one buys it. The entire Secret Annex is in a state of tension. Anne admits, “I sometimes forget who we’re at odds with and who we’re not” (116). She throws herself into her studies.

Margot fights with Anne because Anne began reading a book Margot had set aside. Anne is upset that both Otto and Edith side with Margot. Anne writes, “I love them, but only because they’re Mother and Margot. I don’t give a darn about them as people” (118).

Anne reflects on her relationship with her parents. She acts most like her father and loves him, but he treats her more critically than he does Margot. She writes, “I’d like to feel that Father really loves me, not because I’m his child, but because I’m me, Anne” (118). As for her mother, Anne says, “She’s not a mother to me—I have to mother myself” (118). Overall, Anne sees her parents’ treatment as inconsistent; sometimes they treat her like an intelligent person, and sometimes they treat her like a child. Anne reflects, “I have my own ideas, plans and ideals, but am unable to articulate them yet” (119).

Otto orders a correspondence school lesson on Latin. Otto and Margot start the course, while Anne finds it too difficult, though she would like to eventually learn. Otto plans to give Anne a children’s Bible so she can learn about the New Testament. Anne worries when the adults decide to light the stove later on Sunday mornings and peak out the windows during daytime. She frets, “No one will notice, no one will hear, no one will pay the least bit of attention. Easy to say, but is it true?” (120).

Anne talks about her feelings of depression and “cowardice” (121). Specifically, she recalls being terrified when she heard the doorbell being rung loudly and constantly. At night, she imagines being imprisoned without her parents, watching the Annex on fire, being cast out on the streets, or being captured by the Gestapo in the middle of the night. She envisions the Secret Annex as a spot of blue sky surrounded by black clouds, with safety above and danger below.

Anne’s valued fountain pen, a gift from her grandmother for her ninth birthday, was accidentally dropped into the stove and destroyed. With good humor, Anne writes, “I’m left with one consolation; small though as it may be: my fountain pen was cremated, just as I would like to be someday!” (123).

Due to an outbreak of diphtheria at Bep’s house, she is in quarantine for six weeks, making shopping and cooking difficult. Margot continues the Latin correspondence course using Bep’s name. Anne notes frustration over Albert’s apparent lack of gratitude to the other residents for welcoming him into the Annex. Mrs. van Daan is upset that he did not treat them to dinner to mark his first anniversary in the Secret Annex. Additionally, Edith gives him a plant in honor of the anniversary, but he does not thank her for that either.

Anne dreams or thinks of her school friend Hanneli. In her vision, Hanneli pleads, “Oh Anne, why have you deserted me? Help me, help me, rescue me from this hell!” (125). Anne feels guilty, recalling a disagreement they had before they lost touch. She wonders how Hanneli is feeling and vows to always pray to God for her.

To celebrate St. Nicholas Day, Anne and Otto decide to write a poem for each person in the Annex. They also fill a basket with the residents’ shoes and a little paper package, to make it look like they have a larger gift, which amuses everybody.

Anne writes about getting sick. She is uncomfortable when Albert examines her like a doctor. She notes that there have not been any arguments, but she is sure that will not last long. For Hanukkah and Christmas, they receive a cake, cooking oil, molasses, and candy. Anne is also given a new brooch. Despite the festivities, “spirits are low” (128) because nothing has happened with the war.

Anne writes about being depressed when she hears about Jopie, the Kleimans’ daughter, who gets to live a normal life. She does not think she is jealous, but she longs “to have a really good time for once and to laugh so hard it hurts” (128). She yearns to go outside and enjoy life as a young person but “can’t let it show” (129).

Anne reflects on how her father confided in her last year (she does not say much about that conversation, just that it involved a girl Otto knew in the past). Her father rarely talks about himself, but she feels she better understands what her father meant then.

Anne receives her first Christmas present ever from Mr. Kleiman, Mr. Kugler, Biep, and Mep: a cake with “Peace 1944” written on top. The residents also receive a batch of cookies, yogurt for the children, and beer for the adults.

Anne dreams of both her grandmother and Hanneli. She especially thinks about how her grandmother hid the fact that she was dying of illness and how much her grandmother supported her. She wonders if Hanneli is suffering and questions if she has enough faith in God.

Anne describes the growing conflicts over food in the Secret Annex. Edith believes the fats and oils are not being distributed fairly between the Franks and the van Daans. Anne wishes they “could split up completely!” (131).