Diary of a young girl We all share our meals now, and after three

days we began to feel like one big family!

By: Anne Frank
The Van Daans told us a lot of news. People
In 1942, Anne Frank, a girl of 13 receives a think we are escaping to Switzerland!
diary as her birthday present. Although one woman says that an army
lorry took us away in the middle of the
Here lies on her writings of how she lived night! And another family say that they saw
through the course of World War II at all four of us riding on our bikes early one
Amsterdam in Holland beside Germany morning!(p.22)
where Jews are force to emigrate to.
And every night hundreds of planes fly over
The first part of Anne Frank's diary Holland and go to German towns, where the
contained events of a normal girl's life such earth is plowed up by their bombs, and
as school, crushes, and social interactions every hour hundreds and thousands of
with friends and her life and family but after people are killed in Russia and Africa. No
some time these would change. one is able to keep out of it, the whole globe
Fear was imminent because of the German is waging war and although it is going
Gestapo arresting Jews for no reason better for the Allies, the end is not yet in
whatsoever, so they went into hiding. Anne sight.
Frank's father Otto had thought of a perfect And as for us, we are fortunate. Yes, we are
hiding place for his family, spaces behind luckier than millions of people. It is quiet
his office building and they called it the and safe here, and we are, so to speak,
Secret Annexe. Coursing through time more living on capital. We are even so selfish as
people went into hiding at the Secret to talk about "after the war," brighten.
Annexe, with the Van Daans and Mr. Alfred (p.64)
Dussel
Every time I write to you, something special
The Diary of Anne Frank provided has happened. Usually, it's unpleasant. But
illustrations and narratives of how they lived this time, it's wonderful! The news was
their lives during the World War II, their broadcast that Italy is out of the war! The
stories of everyday as they interact with British are now in Naples. The Germans are
each other, and the experience they had to in North Italy. (p.108)
deal with during the war.
All the newspapers are full of the invasion
The Diary was found after the arrest of the and are driving people mad by saying that
people hiding in the Secret Annexe by Miep "In the event of the English landing in
Gies, the woman who helped hide and Holland, the Germans will do all they can to
shelter Anne Frank and the people who defend the country,- if necessary they will
resided in the Secret Annexe and helped resort to flooding." With this, maps have
Otto Frank, the only surviving member of been published, on which the parts of
the residents to share Anne Frank's Diary Holland that will be under water are
with the rest of the world. marked. As this applies to large parts of
-Theme 1: Location- Amsterdam, the first question was, what
shall we do if the water in the streets rises
to one meter? The answers given by
different people vary considerably. (p.147)
I haven't had time to write until today. Harry
and I know each other quite well now. His H.: "You mustn't include the Jews. I don't
parents are in Belgium. He came to Holland think anyone knows what is going on in
alone, and is living with his grandmother. He Russia, The English and the Russians are
had a girlfriend called Fanny, but now that sure to exaggerate things for propaganda
he's met me, he's not interested in her any purposes, just like the Germans."
more. I know her too—she's very sweet and
very boring! (p.9)
"S.A.": "Out of the question, the English Since Holland is near Germany, it is
have always told the truth over the wireless. inevitable that Holland would be a war- torn
And suppose they do exaggerate the news, area and a prominent battle field in the
the facts are bad enough anyway, because course of events during the World War II.
you can't deny that many millions of peace- Sounds of Planes flying, bombs exploding,
loving people were just simply murdered or and guns were very common in Holland
gassed in Poland and Russia." (p.150) which caused psychological fears and
traumas among people living there.
Think of it, it's still pretty cold, but most
people have been without coal for about a The things happening outside their world in
month- pleasant, eh! In general public the Secret Annexe were really relevant for
feeling over the Russian front is optimistic them since it would dictate, the defeat and
again, because that is terrific! You know I glories of the war, their freedom which is
don't write much about politics, but I must most important for them just like when
just tell you where they are now,- they are Mussolini was taken over by the King of Italy
right by the Polish border and have reached and the attempted assassination of Adolf
the Pruth river near Rumania. They are Hitler which is a very significant news.
close to Odessa. Every evening here they
Location dictates the fate of Amsterdam and
expect an extra communique from Stalin.
their lives. Location is used as the
(p.193)
connection of each country present in the
"This is D-day," came the announcement warring states and the countries which are
over the English news and quite rightly, near to them (peripheral) as how the war
"this is the day." The invasion has begun! (battlefields) would commence.
The English gave the news at eight o'clock -Theme 2: Place-
this morning: Calais, Boulogne, Le Havre,
It is boiling hot, we are all positively
and Cherbourg, also the Pas de Calais (as
melting, and in this heat one have to walk
usual), were heavily bombarded. Moreover,
everywhere. Now one can fully appreciate
as a safety measure for all occupied
how nice a tram is, but that is a forbidden
territories, all people who live within a
luxury for Jews shank's mare is good enough
radius of thirty-five kilometers from the
for us. I had to visit the dentist in the Jan
coast are warned to be prepared for
Luykenstraat in the lunch hour yesterday. It
bombardments. If possible, the English will
is a long way from our school in the
drop pamphlets one hour beforehand.
Stadstimmertuinen,- I nearly fell asleep in
According to German news, English school that afternoon. Luckily, the dentist's
parachute troops have landed on the French assistant was very kind and gave me a
coast, English landing craft are in battle drink-she's a good sort. We are allowed on
with the German Navy, says the B.B.C. the ferry and that is about all. There is a
(p.244) little boat from the Josef Israelskade, the
man there took us at once when we asked
It is World War II (1939-1945) and Germany
him. It is not the Dutch people's fault that
is together with the Axis Powers with Deh
we are having such a miserable time.
Fuhrer (Adolf Hitler) as the prime leader and
Dictator of the entire Germany. I do wish I didn't have to go to school, as my
bicycle was stolen in the Easter holidays
The location which is clearly stated in the
and Daddy has given Mummy's to a
book is in the country Europe. It is important
Christian family for safekeeping. But thank
to know that Holland or the modern day
goodness, the holidays are nearly here, one
Netherlands where Amsterdam is located is
more week and the agony is over. (p.8)
where Anne Frank lived her whole life as
Jews were forced into living there. `Mother's gone to ask Mr van Daan about
our hiding-place,' said Margot. Mr Van Daan
worked in the business with Daddy and is a Try to imagine this. We haven't got a
good friend of his. bathroom, so we all take our water away to
wash in different places! Peter goes in the
Then Margot told me later that there was a
office kitchen, which has a glass door. Mr
mistake the Germans had called her up, not
van Daan carries his hot water upstairs so
Father. How can they take a girl of sixteen
that he can be private. Mrs van Daan hasn't
away from her family like that? But she's
had a bath yet - she can't decide which is
not going!(p.13)
the best place for it! Father goes into the
The hiding-place is in Father's office private office and Mother into the kitchen.
building. On the bottom floor is the Margot and I share the front office. We close
warehouse, and next to it an entrance to the curtains and wash ourselves there in the
the office, which is upstairs. There are two dark!
offices - a front one which is big and light,
On Wednesday someone was doing repairs
and a small dark one at the back. (p.16)
in the office downstairs. We couldn't use the
From Mr Kugler's office at the back, you go toilet or use water all day. Father and I
up another four stairs and you conic to the found a suitable pot which we could all use
private office, which is very fine and has as a toilet! We had to sit still all day and not
good furniture. say a word! That was the most difficult thing
for me. (pp.35-36)
Up on the third floor is our `Secret Annexe'.
There are some attics for storage on the Henk brought a copy of the bishop's letter
left, and on the right is the door to our to churchgoers for us to read. It was very
hiding-place. It's surprising that there are so fine and inspiring. "Do not rest, people of
many rooms behind that small grey door. the Netherlands, everyone is fighting with
(p.17) his own weapons to free the country, the
people, and their religion." "Give help, be
Margot and I share a small room, and generous, and do not dismay!" is what they
Mother and Father's bedroom is also our cry from the pulpit, just like that. Will it
sitting-room. Up the stairs again is a big help? It won't help the people of our
light room which will be the kitchen and Mr religion. (p. 67)
and Mrs van Daan's bedroom. There is a
very small room for Peter, their son, and How scared the ladies are during the air
another attic. So that's our lovely Annexe! raids. For instance, on Sunday, when 350
(p.18) British planes dropped half a million kilos of
bombs on Ijmuiden, how the houses
The others can't get used to the big clock trembled like a wisp of grass in the wind,
outside which tells the time every quarter of and who knows how many epidemics now
an hour. But I like it, especially at night. I rage. You don't know anything about all
don't feel at home here yet. I don't hate it these things, and I would need to keep on
though. It is like a holiday in a strange little writing the whole day if I were to tell you
hotel. My bedroom was very empty when I everything in detail. People have to line up
arrived, but I've stuck up pictures of my for vegetables and all kinds of other things,
favourite film actors and actresses. It's a lot doctors are unable to visit the sick, because
better now. (p.20) if they turn their backs on their cars for a
Now our Secret Annexe is really secret! Mr moment, they are stolen,- burglaries and
Kugler has built a bookcase over our little thefts abound, so much so that you wonder
entrance. It opens like a door. what has taken hold of the Dutch for them
suddenly to have become such thieves.
It's a beautiful day outside, nice and hot. We Little children of eight and eleven years
can still enjoy it, lying on a bed in the attic. break the windows of peoples homes and
(pp.23-24) steal whatever they can lay their hands on.
No one dares to leave his house unoccupied
for five minutes, because if you go, your
things go too. Every day there are determine how they would do daily
announcements in the newspapers offering activities and how they would overcome
rewards for the return of lost property, distribution of spaces and ways of doing
typewriters, Persian rugs, electric clocks, things.
cloth, etc., etc. Electric clocks in the streets
-Theme 3: Human/ Environment Interaction-
are dismantled, public telephones are pulled
to pieces down to the last thread. Morale Something amusing happened yesterday, I
among the population can't be good, the was passing the bicycle sheds when
weekly rations are not enough to last for someone called out to me. I looked around
two days except the coffee substitute. The and there was the nice-looking boy I met on
invasion is a long time coming, and the men the previous evening, at my girl friend Eva's
have to go to Germany. The children are ill home. He came shyly towards me and
or undernourished, everyone is wearing old introduced himself as Harry Goldberg. I was
clothes and old shoes. A new sole costs 7.50 rather surprised and wondered what he
florins in the black market,- moreover, wanted, but I didn't have to wait long. He
hardly any of the shoemakers will accept asked if I would allow him to accompany me
shoe repairs or, if they do, you have to wait to school. "As you're going my way in any
months, during which time the shoes often case, I will," I replied and so we went
disappear. (p. 192) together. Harry is sixteen and can tell all
kinds of amusing stories. He was waiting for
Probably the most important in this theme,
me again this morning and I expect he will
is where the Franks, the Van Daans, and Mr.
from now on. (p.8)
Dussel resided which is the Secret Annexe.
In the images above, the floor plans and the Harry came over on Sunday evening. He
inside of the Secret Annexe and the places told me that his grandmother doesn't like
where they hid, and do all sorts of activities our meetings. But on Wednesday nights, his
are illustrated. grandmother thinks that he goes to
woodwork lessons - he doesn't, so he'll be
The Secret Annexe was said to be the
free to meet me! And he said that he wants
perfect hiding place for people who are
to see me on Saturdays and Sundays too!
hunted, they stayed for a long time and
they were never found, added the bookcase `But if your grandmother doesn't want you
which was a clever thing to place so that to meet me, you shouldn't do it behind her
the people in the Annexe would less likely back!'
be discovered.
`Everything's allowed in love and war!'
This theme also describes the weather in (pp.9-10)
Amsterdam and the surroundings as seen
through the Window in the attic. Another Harry visited us yesterday to meet my
interesting thing said in the diary is their Father and Mother. We had a big tea, and
bathroom activities which was very hard went out for a walk together later. It was ten
because of the scarce room space as well as past eight when he brought me home.
the probabilities that if they would make too Father was very angry because it is so
much noise, neighbours might suspect of dangerous to be out after eight o'clock. I
people hiding in the annexe which would promised to come home by ten to eight in
lead to their latter discovery. future. (p.10)

Place was used to describe how they lived When we went out for a walk together a few
behind the Office Building of Otto Frank. days ago, Father said, 'We may have to go
place dictated their ways and patterns of into hiding soon.'
living as concerned with the happenings 'Why?' I asked him. 'Why are you talking
outside the Secret Annexe. Everything was about it already?'
considered using Place to prevent people to
discover their hiding. Place was relevant to
'Well, Anne,' he said,' you know that we've Board and Lodging Price: Free.
been making stores of food, clothes
Food: Special fat free diet.
and furniture for more than a year now. The
Running Water: in the bathroom (alas, no
Germans could take everything away and us
bath) and down various inside and outside
too.' He was very serious. (p.12)
walls.
Last night, the four of us went down to the
Ample storage rooms: for all sorts of things
private office to listen to the news from the
BBC in England on the radio. I was so Own radio centre: direct communication
frightened that I asked Father to take me with London, New York, Tel Aviv, and
back upstairs! I thought someone might numerous other stations. This appliance is
hear it. We have to be very quiet at night. only for residents' use after six o' clock in
(p.21) the evening. No stations are forbidden, on
the understanding that German stations are
Great news! Another person is coming to
only listened to in special cases, such as
live here. Eight is no more difficult than
classical music and the like.
seven, and it is so dangerous for Jews now.
We have chosen a dentist called Alfred Rest hours: From 10 p.m. to 7.30 a.m.;
Dussel. He seems to be nice. Miep knows 10.15 a.m. on Sundays. This is for your
him, and she will help him to get here. He safety. The Management may also ask you
will have to sleep in my room though, and to rest at other times too.
Margot will have to move in with our
parents. We'll ask him to fill the holes in our Holidays: (outside the home) postponed
teeth! (p.48) indefinitely

Mr Dussel has arrived. Everything went Use of language: Speak softly at all times,
smoothly. He came to the warehouse, and by order! All civilised languages are
Miep asked him to take off his coat, so that permitted, therefore NO GERMAN!
no one could see the yellow star. Then she
brought him to the private office. He still Exercise: Every day.
had no idea where he was going, or what
Lessons: One written shorthand lesson per
was going to happen! When she opened our
week. English, French, Mathematics, and
bookcase door, he was so surprised! He
History at all times.
thought we had left the country. We were
waiting around the table, ready to welcome Small pets special department: (permit is
him with a drink. necessary) good treatment available.
(vermin excepted)
After lunch he slept for a short time, put
away his things, and joined us for tea. Mealtimes: Breakfast every day except
Sundays and Bank Holidays at 9 a.m.
We gave him the list of rules for the Secret
Annexe that the van Dins had written.(p.50) (11.30 a.m. on Sundays and bank holidays).
PROSPECTUS AND GUIDE TO THE SECRET Lunch: A light meal from 1.15 p.m. to 1.45
ANNEXE p.m.
Special institution as temporary residence Dinner: Sometimes a hot meal, sometimes
for Jews and suchlike. not. The time of dinner changes
Open all year round: Beautiful, quiet, free because of radio news broadcasts.
from dam. Van be reached by trams
Duties: Residents must always be ready to
13 and 17, also by car or bicycle. In special help with other work
cases also on foot, if the Germans prevent
the use of transport. Bath: The moveable bath can be used by all
guests after 9 a.m. on Sundays.
You may take your bath in the bathroom, everything at the age of twelve. But instead
kitchen, private office or front office. of that, they send them out of the room
when anyone talks about sex, and the
Alcoholic beverages: only with doctor's
children have to try and find out everything
prescription.
by themselves. Then, later, the parents
The end (pp. 51-52) think that the children already know it all,
but usually they don't!
It will be our turn to hand in our radio next
month. Koophuis has a clandestine baby set Soon after I was eleven, they told me about
at home that he will let us have to take the periods. But I didn't know where the blood
place of our big Phillips. It certainly is a came from, or what it was for. When I was
shame to have to hand in our lovely set, but twelve and a half, one of my friends told me
in a house where people are hiding, one some more. She told me what a man and a
daren't, under any circumstances, take woman do together. Well, I had already
wanton risks and so draw the attention of guessed! I was quite proud of myself! She
the authorities. We shall have the little radio also told me that babies don't come out of
upstairs. On top of hidden Jews, clandestine their mothers' stomachs. Where everything
money and clandestine buying, we can add goes in is where the baby comes out?
a clandestine radio. Everyone is trying to
Children hear about sex in bits and pieces,
get hold of an old set and to hand that in
and that isn't right.
instead of their "source of courage." It is
really true that as the news from outside Although it's Saturday, I'm not bored! I've
gets worse, so the radio with its miraculous been up in the attic with Peter. I sat there
voice helps us to keep up our morale and to dreaming with my eyes closed, and it was
say again, "Chins up, stick it out, better wonderful. (p.179)
times will come!" (pp.83-84)
In the meantime it is getting more and more
I see the eight of us with our "Secret wonderful here. I believe, Kitty, that we may
Annexe" as if we were a little piece of blue have a real great love in the "Secret
heaven, surrounded by heavy black rain Annexe." Don't worry, I'm not thinking of
clouds. The round, clearly defined spot marrying him. I don't know what he will be
where we stand is still safe, but the clouds like when he grows up, nor do I know
gather more closely about us and the circle whether we should ever love each other
which separates us from the approaching enough to marry. I know now that Peter
danger closes more and more tightly. Now loves me, but just how I myself don't know
we are so surrounded by danger and yet. He is so handsome, both when he
darkness that we bump against each other, laughs and when he looks quietly in front of
as we search desperately for a means of him,- he is such a darling and so good. I
escape. We all look down below, where believe what surprised him most about me
people are fighting each other, we look was when he discovered that I'm not a bit
above, where it is quiet and beautiful, and the superficial worldly Anne that I appear,
meanwhile we are cut off by the great dark but just as dreamy a specimen, with just as
mass, which will not let us go upwards, but many difficulties as he himself. (pp. 184-
which stands before us as an impenetrable 185)
wall,- it tries to crush us, but cannot do so
In interaction, it is very important to bear
yet. I can only cry and implore: "Oh, if only
into mind how the people living in the
the black circle could recede and open the
Secret Annexe reacts and moves with each
way for us!" (p.115)
other. Such as it was 2 families and Mr.
I've written so much about myself and my Dussel were residing. In the book, fights and
feelings, so why shouldn't I write about sex, misundertandings of both Van Daan and
too? Parents are very strange about sex. Franks were recorded. Anne Frank's
They should tell their sons and daughters irritability with Mrs. Van Daan and how she
interacts with everybody in the Annexe, and thought that the Germans were coming to
her irritability as well with Alfred Dussel who get us. But everybody said that someone
was her new roommate upon his arrival, She only rang for a joke, or that maybe it was
hated how Dussel invades her private the postman, and I felt calm again. (p.36)
spaces and use her things.
My hand is still shaking as I write this. Two
Love was also manifested here as how Anne hours ago we heard an awful noise at our
reacts with the Presence of Peter Van Daan bookcase door. The knocking didn't stop,
who is her love interest along the course of and someone was pushing and pulling at
their stay at the Secret Annexe considering the door. Perhaps they had come to arrest
also the reactions of people, most notably us! We were white with fear! But at last we
Anne's mother who prevents their closeness heard Mr Kleiman's voice. 'Open up, it's
because she doesn't believe that true love me!' The door was stuck, and he couldn't
is occurring as they do not see anyone else open it.
at their age range and that it is the only
We had a good time on Monday. Miep and
reason why they are developing intimate
Jan spent the night with us. We cooked
relationships.
specially for them, and the meal tasted
Food also became a penultimate reason of wonderful. (p.41)
misunderstanding as to how to share, and
Well, what about food in the Annexe? A man
who would cook, how to distribute food
brings bread every day, a very nice friend of
evenly with each other.
Mr Kleiman's. And we've stored a hundred
Interaction was showcased rather largely in tins of food here. We can buy ration books
the Diary of Anne Frank because it was very on the black market, and we've also bought
relevant for them and their interactions in three hundred pounds of beans. We decided
the face of war, in their way to prevent to move them to the attic, and Peter was
discovery, and in their way to provide given the job. He succeeded in getting five
themselves entertainment and satisfaction. sacks upstairs, but the sixth sack burst, and
a river of beans poured downstairs! I was
-Theme 4: Movement-
standing at the bottom- of the stairs. Peter
At seven-thirty we left the house. I said couldn't stop laughing when he saw me in a
goodbye to Moortje, my cat. The neighbours sea of brown beans. Unfortunately though,
were going to look after her. We hurried to the beans are very small and have
leave the house – we wanted to reach our disappeared into all the holes. Whenever we
hiding-place safely. It was the only thing go upstairs now, we look for a few more
that mattered. More tomorrow. (p.15) beans! (p.47) Dussel is a very nice man, just
as we had all imagined. Of course he
Let me continue the story. When we arrived thought it was all right to share my little
at the warehouse, the Annexe was full of all room. Quite honestly I'm not so keen that a
the boxes that we had stored at the office stranger should use my things, but one
for the last few months. No one could must be prepared to make some sacrifices
possibly sleep there unless we cleared it up. for a good cause, so I shall make my little
But Mother and Margot were really offering with a good will. "If we can save
suffering, and they were too tired and someone, then everything else is of
unhappy to help. They just lay down on secondary importance," says Daddy, and
their beds, so Father and I did it all. We he's absolutely right.
worked all day, until we were so tired that
we fell into bed too. There was no hot meal, The first day that Dussel was here, he
but we didn't care. We worked all the next immediately asked me all sorts of
day, too, which was Tuesday. (p.19) questions: When does the charwoman
come? When can one use the bathroom?
Yesterday I was very frightened. At eight When is one allowed to use the lavatory?
o'clock the doorbell suddenly rang. I You may laugh, but these things are not so
simple in a hiding place. During the day we tell you about the dumplings, which we
mustn't make any noise that might be heard make out of government flour, water, and
downstairs, and if there is some stranger yeast. They are so sticky and tough, they lie
such as the charwoman for example then like stones in one's stomach, -ah, well!
we have to be extra careful. I explained all
The great attraction each week is a slice of
this carefully to Dussel. But one thing
liver sausage, and jam on dry bread. But
amazed me: he is very slow on the uptake.
we're still alive, and quite often we even
He asks everything twice over and still
enjoy our poor meals. (195-196)
doesn't seem to remember. Perhaps that
will wear off in time, and it's only that he's Illustrated greatly here in movement, are
thoroughly upset by the sudden change. (p. the emotions which are showing with
53) everything that is happening during the
course of the World War II. The people in the
I will for once write more fully about food
Secret Annexe who are overflowing with
because it has become a very difficult and
fear and scare over things happening
important matter, not only here in the
outside the building. Every drop of bomb
"Secret Annexe" but in the whole of Holland,
and every cross of a war plane, every gun
all Europe, and even beyond.
which was triggered were fears of the war.
In the twenty-one months that we've spent
Every knock on doors, sounds of the wall as
here we have been through a good many
if someone is banging or knocking, and the
"food cycles", - you'll understand what that
bookcase moving is a cause for their
means in a minute. When I talk of "food
nervousness and anxiety of a chance of
cycles" I mean periods in which one has
them being discovered. They were very
nothing else to eat but one particular dish
scared because of that, as if a Gestapo
or kind of vegetable. We had nothing but
would be there to arrest them because
endive for a long time, day in, day out,
someone might have had suspected their
endive with sand, endive without sand, stew
presence behind the office building.
with endive, boiled or en casscrolt; then it
was spinach, and after that followed There were also many burglary cases
kohlrabi, salsify, cucumbers, tomatoes, happening because there was a very
sauerkraut, etc., etc. prominent shortage of food, water, clothing,
and other important resources during the
For instance, it's really disagreeable to eat a
course of the war.
lot of sauerkraut for lunch and supper every
day, but you do it if you're hungry. However, Movement is a part on their survival and
we have the most delightful period of all their emotions. These were carefully and
now, because we don't get any fresh specifically cited in the diary on how they
vegetables at all. Our weekly menu for communicate with each other and the way
supper consists of kidney beans, pea soup, that they gathered resources especially food
potatoes with dumplings, potato-chalet and, from the black market. Movement illustrated
by the grace of God, occasionally turnip how they really reacted with the continuing
tops or rotten carrots, and then the kidney reign of Nazi Germany and their dictates at
beans once again. We eat potatoes at every Holland and maltreatment of the Jewish
meal, beginning with breakfast, because of people.
the bread shortage. We make our soup from
kidney or haricot beans, potatoes, Julienne -Theme 5: Region-
soup in packets, French beans in packets, My father was thirty-six when he married
kidney beans in packets. Everything my mother, who was then twenty-five. My
contains beans, not to mention the bread! sister Margot was born in Frankfurt-am-Main
In the evening we always have potatoes in Germany in 1926. I followed on June 12,
with gravy substitute and thank goodness 1929 and, as we are Jewish, we emigrated
we've still got it- beetroot salad. I must still to Holland in 1933, where my father was
appointed Managing Editor of Travies N.V. frightful immorality because of this; and a
This firm is in close relationship with the lot of women, and even girls, who stay there
firm of Kolen & Co. in the same building, of any length of time are expecting babies.
which my father is a partner. (p.3)
It is impossible to escape, most of the
After May 1940 good times rapidly fled: first people in the camp are branded as inmates
the war, then the capitulation, followed by by their shaven heads, and many also by
the arrival of the Germans, which is when their Jewish appearance. The English radio
the sufferings of us Jews really began. Anti- says that the Germans are killing them with
Jewish decrees followed each other in quick gas. Perhaps that's the quickest way to die.
succession. Jews must wear a yellow star, Perhaps you don't suffer so much that way.
Jews must hand in their bicycles, Jews are (p.38)
banned from trams and are forbidden to
Apart from that, all goes well. Dussel has
drive. Jews are only allowed to do their
told us a lot about the outside world, which
shopping between three and five o'clock
we have missed for so long now. He had
and then only in shops which bear the
very sad news. Countless friends and
placard "Jewish shop." Jews must be indoors
acquaintances have gone to a terrible fate.
by eight o'clock and cannot even sit in their
Evening after evening the green and gray
own gardens after that hour. Jews are
army lorries trundle past. The Germans ring
forbidden to visit theaters, cinemas, and
at every front door to inquire if there are
other places of entertainment. Jews may not
any Jews living in the house. If there are,
take part in public sports. Swimming baths,
then the whole family has to go at once. If
tennis courts, hockey fields, and other
they don't find any, they go onto the next
sports grounds are all prohibited to them.
house. No one has a chance of evading
Jews may not visit Christians. Jews must go
them unless one goes into hiding. Often
to Jewish schools, and many more
they go around with lists, and only ring
restrictions of a similar kind. (p.3)
when they know they can get a good haul.
It seems like years since Sunday morning. Sometimes they let them off for cash so
So much has happened - the whole world much per head. It seems like the slave
has turned upside down. But I'm alive, and hunts of olden times. But it's certainly no
that's the most important thing. joke,- it's much too tragic for that. In the
evenings when it's dark, I often see rows of
On Sunday afternoon we heard that the
good, innocent people accompanied by
Germans were going to take Father away.
crying children, walking on and on, in
We know what that means—to a
charge of a couple of these chaps, bullied
concentration camp.(p.13)
and knocked about until they almost drop.
We dressed in lots of clothes. No Jew would
No one is spared old people, babies,
dare to leave the house with a suitcase!
expectant mothers, the sick each and all
(p.15)
join in the match of death.
I've only got dismal and depressing news for
How fortunate we are here, so well cared for
you today. Our many Jewish friends are
and undisturbed. We wouldn't have to worry
being taken away by the dozen. These
about all this misery were it not that we are
people are treated by the Gestapo (Nazi
so anxious about all those dear to us whom
police force) without a shred of decency,
we can no longer help.
being loaded into cattle trucks and sent to
Westerbork, the big Jewish camp in Drente. I feel wicked sleeping in a warm bed, while
Westerbork sounds terrible: only one my dearest friends have been knocked
washing cubicle for a hundred people and down or have fallen into a gutter
not nearly enough lavatories. There is no somewhere out in the cold night. I get
separate accomodation, men women, and frightened when I think of close friends who
children all sleep together. One hears of have now been delivered into the hands of
the crudest brutes that walk the earth. And this time it was wonderful news, such as we
all because they are Jews! (pp. 53-54) have not heard for months, perhaps in all
the war years. "Mussolini has resigned, the
It is terrible outside. Day and night more of
King of Italy has taken over the
those poor miserable people are being
government." We jumped for joy. After the
dragged off, with nothing but a rucksack
terrible day yesterday, at last something
and a little money. On the way they are
good again and hope. Hope for it to end,
deprived even of these possessions.
hope for peace. (p.92)
Families are torn apart, the men, women,
and children all being separated. Children Bolkestein, an M.P., was speaking on the
coming home from school find that their Dutch News from London, and he said that
parents have disappeared. Women return they ought to make a collection of diaries
from shopping to find their homes shut up and letters after the war. Of course, they all
and their families gone. made a rush at my diary immediately. Just
imagine how interesting it would be if I were
The Dutch people are anxious too, their
to publish a romance of the "Secret
sons are being sent to Germany. Everyone is
Annexe." The title alone would be enough to
afraid. (p.63)
make people think it was a detective story.
Pim is expecting the invasion any day.
But, seriously, it would seem quite funny
Churchill has had pneumonia, but is
ten years after the war if we Jews were to
improving slowly. The freedom loving
tell how we lived and what we ate and
Candhi of India is holding his umpteenth
talked about here. Although I tell you a lot,
fast. Mrs. Van Daan claims to be fatalistic.
still, even so, you only know very little of
But who is the most scared when the guns
our lives. (pp. 191-192)
go off? No one else but Petronella. (p. 67)
Why do they make still more gigantic
We had a short circuit last evening, and on
planes, still heavier bombs and, at the same
top of that the guns kept banging away all
time, prefabricated houses for
the time. I still haven't got over my fear of
reconstruction? Why should millions be
everything connected with shooting and
spent daily on the war and yet there's not a
planes, and I creep into Daddy's bed nearly
penny available for medical services, artists,
every night for comfort. I know it's very
or for poor people?
childish but you don't know what it is like.
The A.A. guns roar so loudly that you can't Why do some people have to starve, while
hear yourself speak. Mrs. Van Daan, the there are surpluses rotting in other parts of
fatalist, was nearly crying, and said in a the world? Oh, why are people so crazy?
very timid little voice, "Oh, it is so
I don't believe that the big men, the
unpleasant! Oh, they are shooting so hard,"
politicians and the capitalists alone, are
by which she really means "I'm so
guilty of the war. Oh no, the little man is just
frightened."
as guilty, otherwise the peoples of the world
It didn't seem nearly so bad by candlelight would have risen in revolt long ago! There's
as in the dark. I was shivering, just as if I in people simply an urge to destroy, an urge
had a temperature, and begged Daddy to to kill, to murder and rage, and until all
light the candle again. He was relentless, mankind, without exception, undergoes a
the light remained off. Suddenly there was a great change, wars will be waged,
burst of machine-gun fire, and that is ten everything that has been built up,
times worse than guns. Mummy jumped out cultivated, and grown will be destroyed and
of bed and, to Pirn's annoyance, lit the disfigured, after which mankind will have to
candle. When he complained her answer begin all over again. (p.223)
was firm: "After all, Anne's not exactly a
Now I am getting really hopeful, now things
veteran soldier," and that was the end of it.
are going well at last. Yes, really, they're
(p.68)
going well! Super news! An attempt has
been made on Hitler's life and not even by walks of life, babies, elderly, anyone who
Jewish communists or English capitalists this are Jews.
time, but by a proud German general, and
Region presents all discrimination
what's more, he's a count, and still quite
happening in Europe because of race and
young. The Fiihrer's life was saved by Divine
religion. Unifying Jews by means of
Providence and, unfortunately, he managed
desecration, obliteration, and annihilitation
to get off with just a few scratches and
committed by German Gestapo with the
burns. A few officers and generals who were
command of Adolf Hitler. The victors of the
with him have been killed and wounded.
war and people involved were also shown
The chief culprit was shot.
on how they affect the Jews.
Anyway, it certainly shows that there are
lots of officers and generals who are sick of
the war and would like to see Hitler descend
into a bottomless pit. When they've
disposed of Hitler, their aim is to establish a
military dictator, who will make peace with
the Allies, then they intend to rearm and
start another war in about twenty years'
time. Perhaps the Divine Power tarried on
purpose in getting him out of the way,
because it would be much easier and more
advantageous to the Allies if the impeccable
Germans kill each other off; it'll make less
work for the Russians and the English and
they'll be able to begin rebuilding their own
towns all the sooner. (p. 264)
In region, we could see how the Jews in
Europe lived. How the Gestapo became
feared, how they had control over
everything, and the rules on how Jews
should behave.
An instance is how news affects each Jews
feelings just like how so many was
saddened because Winston Churchill had
pneumonia, and he was sick, which was a
signal of him to alleviate himself in joining
and general in the war.
The rules on how the Jews should live by, as
an inferior people because of their race and
their religion, how hey were oppressed, and
their freedom robbed, their people killed,
murdered, mercilessly without warning.
Everything here was happening in the
entirety of the Jews who emigrated in
Europe. They were sent to concentration
camps, they may become slaves to work for
the war, or they would be gassed in a
chamber, discriminated everywhere in all