Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank herself, “Out of the millions who were silenced forever, one voice remains to remind us.” This book tells the story of Anne’s family while in hiding from the Germans from 1942 to 1944. Anne recounted her life in her dairy. Anne was gentle-hearted, honest, and intelligent, leaving behind an excellent example of what the Jewish people went through.
A lot of what happened in the “Secret Annexe”, or the attic, really affected Anne. The arguing between the adults and having to stay silent was very difficult for her. Whenever adults fought in the “Secret Annexe”, Anne stayed silent. When the fighting started extending to Anne, she felt terrible and left out. Not having any friends in the warehouse attic really affected Anne, and as a result of her gentle heart, she especially felt sad when the adults started yelling. In her diary, one thing Anne Frank confessed about the arguing was, “... I shall persevere... and swallow my tears. I only wish I could... occasionally receive encouragement from someone who loves me. Don’t condemn me; remember rather that sometimes I too can reach the bursting point.” (Frank 42) Though Anne Frank may often be taught to students as a war hero, that she was brave, unstoppable, and a force to be reckoned with. In reality, Anne was just like any other teenager. Anne Frank worried about being loved, she was scared, and she took insults and cold shoulders to heart. Her gentle-hearted nature often left her very upset.
Anne Frank was usually very blunt; Anne always told the truth and tried to be as honest as possible. Whenever a topic came up and she had input on it, with courage, Anne Frank interjected on it and said what she thought about it. Without fear of reprimand, being honest was what she strived to be. Often the other adults in the attic talked down to Anne as if she was a little kid. Though she is barely a teenager, she read very often and was very mature for her age, so when Drussel and Mrs. Van Daan said she’s too young for certain topics, Anne was very offended and couldn’t even believe them. She thought of herself as an adult and expected to be treated like one, so Anne told them as such. Hearing that they didn’t think she was mature she stated that, “I could have slapped both their [Drussel and Mrs. Van Daan] faces at that moment as they stood there making a fool of me. I was beside myself with rage and I’m counting the days until I’m rid of “those” people.” (Frank 84) Anne rarely ever lied. No matter if she got in trouble or not. Brutally honest was better to her than skipping around issues.
Even during the Holocaust and with the war and fighting going on, she studied. Being smart was her thing. She worried about grades, but learned very easily. Everyday Anne Frank and Peter, one of the other kids, both found time for their studies; they had homework, studied different subjects, and had their own personal projects. Anne and Peter practiced English, French, German, and how fast they were able to write in those languages. They even learned about the Danish history. During their stay in the “Secret Annexe,” the Franks and the Van Daans didn’t have much to entertain themselves other than the radio every now and then and knowledge. “We [Anne and Peter] have finished our shorthand course; now we are beginning to practice speed. Aren’t we getting clever?... I’m mad on mythology and especially the gods of Greece and Rome.” Anne Frank recounts how her time for school work is spent in the attic. (Frank 67) Reading, learning, and writing took most of Peter and Anne’s time. Even before being hidden away, school was very important.
Anne Frank was gentle-hearted, honest, and intelligent. Anne did what she could, when she could, and by being who she was, she left history in her wake.
