SUMMARY WITH NOTES

PART VI : APRIL 16, 1944 - AUGUST 1, 1944

Summary

In an entry dated April 16, Anne gives a detailed description of an exciting event. She has received her first kiss -- from Peter, of course! Feeling that she is in love, she tries to make the war and the danger fade from her thoughts. She basks in the time she has to spend with her first real love. Feeling happy for the first time in ages, she writes, "I am young and strong and am living a great adventure. . .I have been given a lot, a happy nature, a great deal of cheerfulness and strength. Every day I feel that I am developing inwardly, that the liberation is drawing nearer. . . how interesting this adventure is! Why, then should I be in despair?" Despite this cheerfulness, Anne still resents the war. On May 3, she writes, "What, oh what is the use of the war? Why can't people live peacefully together? Why all this destruction?. . .Why should millions be spent daily on the war and yet there's not a penny available for medical services, artists, and poor people?"

As her relationship with Peter intensifies, her relationship with her mother deteriorates. She resents that her daughter spends all her time with Peter; even her father seems to disapprove of her actions. With resentment, Anne writes, "I have now reached the stage that I can live entirely on my own, without Mummy's support or anyone else's for that matter. But it hasn't just happened in a night; its been a bitter, hard struggle and I have shed many a tear, before I became as independent as I am now."

Anne takes Margot's advice to write a letter to her father about her thoughts and feelings, especially about Peter. She tells him that she regrets he does not approve of her relationship, but she refuses to give it up. After receiving the letter, Mr. Frank has a long talk with his daughter, and Anne is worried that she has hurt his feelings. She also has other things to worry about. The man who has faithfully brought them vegetables to eat has been arrested, and she wonders from where the group will get its food. She also hears that the Dutch people are becoming anti-Semitic, and she wonders if she will be able to stay in Holland after the war is over. She even questions if perhaps she would be better off if she were dead. On May 26, however, her old optimism returns and she feels that something will happen to end the war soon.

On June 6, there is good news. The occupants hear that the British forces have reached Holland, and the little group dares to hope again that they may all outlive the war. They also struggle to maintain some sense of normalcy in their lives, even though they have now been in the annex for two years. First they have a celebration for Otto Frank's birthday; then on June 12, they celebrate Anne's fifteenth birthday, which will be her last.

In the last few entries in the diary, from June 13 to the last one on August 1, Anne writes mostly about the mundane daily events of her life in the annex and her inner turmoil. In a mature manner, she says that is fighting against her temper and trying hard to be good. Her last entry, dated August 1, just three days before the annex is raided by the police and she is captured and sent to a concentration camp, Anne analyzes herself and her situation. She says that her rude behavior has always been a front to cover her inner fears and her misery in the cramped quarters. She longs to emerge so that she can be herself.

Notes

By the end of Anne's entries into her diary, it is obvious that she has changed greatly during the two years in the annex. Having plenty of time to think and reflect on who she is, Anne now knows herself and what she wants. She even stands up to her father about her relationship with Peter, but in a mature manner, writing him a letter. Obviously, she has acquired a great deal of self-confidence during the period of her hideout. She has also learned to control her temper and not speak out so rashly. Additionally, she is more tolerant of others, judging them less harshly.

Anne's writing also undergoes a maturing process. The first entries are much more youthful and less vivid than the later entries. By the end of the diary, there are descriptive passages and self- introspection that are much more mature than her fifteen years. In fact, the second half of the diary is a very well written treatise on some very adult ideas. As a result, Anne's diary has been read and studied by young and old alike. It stands as a noble testament to a young girl's bravery during a very fearful time in her life.

Table of Contents | Downloadable/Printable Version