Anne Frank The Diary of A Young Girl

See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/311706117

The Diary of A Young Girl: Anne Frank

Working Paper · December 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.36769.40803
CITATIONS READS
0 402,647
1 author:
Luisse Zanther Carreos

Manila Tytana Colleges
8 PUBLICATIONS 1 CITATION
SEE PROFILE
All content following this page was uploaded by Luisse Zanther Carreos on 17 December 2016.
The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Philippine Normal University

The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
Geographical Book Review
Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl
LUISSE ZANTHER T. CARREOS: Kasalukuyang mag-aaral sa

Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas- Fakulti ng Pangkaasalan at
Panlipunang Agham. Kumukuha ng kursong Batsilyer sa Sekundaryang
Edukasyon, nagpapakadalubhasa sa Agham Panlipunan. Ang kanyang
pokus ay magiging Kasaysayan, Development, at Pananaliksik.

o
The National Center for Teacher Education Nurturing Innovative Teachers 
Taft Avenue, Manila
SUMMARY:
In 1942, Anne Frank, a girl of 13 receives a diary as her birthday present.
Here lies on her writings of how she lived through the course of World War II at
Amsterdam in Holland beside Germany where Jews are force to emigrate to.
The first part of Anne Frank's diary contained events of a normal girl's life
such as school, crushes, and social interactions with friends and her life and
family but after some time these would change.
Fear was imminent because of the German Gestapo arresting Jews for no
reason whatsoever, so they went into hiding. Anne Frank's father Otto had
thought of a perfect hiding place for his family, spaces behind his office building
and they called it the Secret Annexe. Coursing through time more people went
into hiding at the Secret Annexe, with the Van Daans and Mr. Alfred Dussel
The Diary of Anne Frank provided illustrations and narratives of how they
lived their lives during the World War II, their stories of everyday as they interact
with each other, and the experience they had to deal with during the war.
The Diary was found after the arrest of the people hiding in the Secret
Annexe by Miep Gies, the woman who helped hide and shelter Anne Frank and
the people who resided in the Secret Annexe and helped Otto Frank, the only
surviving member of the residents to share Anne Frank's Diary with the rest of
the world.
-Theme 1: Location-

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
I haven't had time to write until today. Harry and I know each other quite well
now. His parents are in Belgium. He came to Holland alone, and is living with
his grandmother. He had a girlfriend called Fanny, but now that he's met me,
he's not interested in her any more. I know her too — she's very sweet and very
boring! (p.9)
We all share our meals now, and after three days we began to feel like one big
family! The Van Daans told us a lot of news. People think we are escaping to
Switzerland! Although one woman says that an army lorry took us away in the
middle of the night! And another family say that they saw all four of us riding on
our bikes early one morning!(p.22)
And every night hundreds of planes fly over Holland and go to German towns,
where the earth is plowed up by their bombs, and every hour hundreds and
thousands of people are killed in Russia and Africa. No one is able to keep out
of it, the whole globe is waging war and although it is going better for the Allies,
the end is not yet in sight.
And as for us, we are fortunate. Yes, we are luckier than millions of people. It is
quiet and safe here, and we are, so to speak, living on capital. We are even so
selfish as to talk about "after the war," brighten. (p.64)
Every time I write to you, something special has happened. Usually, it's
unpleasant. But this time, it's wonderful! The news was broadcast that Italy is
out of the war! The British are now in Naples. The Germans are in North Italy.
(p.108)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
All the newspapers are full of the invasion and are driving people mad by saying
that "In the event of the English landing in Holland, the Germans will do all they
can to defend the country,- if necessary they will resort to flooding." With this,
maps have been published, on which the parts of Holland that will be under
water are marked. As this applies to large parts of 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)
H.: "You mustn't include the Jews. I don't think anyone knows what is going on
in Russia, The English and the Russians are sure to exaggerate things for
propaganda purposes, just like the Germans."
"S.A.": "Out of the question, the English have always told the truth over the
wireless. And suppose they do exaggerate the news, the facts are bad enough
anyway, because you can't deny that many millions of peace-loving people
were just simply murdered or gassed in Poland and Russia." (p.150)
Think of it, it's still pretty cold, but most people have been without coal for about
a month- pleasant, eh! In general public feeling over the Russian front is
optimistic again, because that is terrific! You know I don't write much about
politics, but I must just tell you where they are now,- they are right by the Polish
border and have reached the Pruth river near Rumania. They are close to
Odessa. Every evening here they expect an extra communique from Stalin.
(p.193)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
"This is D-day," came the announcement over the English news and quite
rightly, "this is the day." The invasion has begun!
The English gave the news at eight o'clock this morning: Calais, Boulogne, Le
Havre, and Cherbourg, also the Pas de Calais (as usual), were heavily
bombarded. Moreover, as a safety measure for all occupied territories, all
people who live within a radius of thirty-five kilometers from the coast are
warned to be prepared for bombardments. If possible, the English will drop
pamphlets one hour beforehand.
According to German news, English parachute troops have landed on the
French coast, English landing craft are in battle with the German Navy, says the
B.B.C. (p.244)
ANALYSES THEME 1: LOCATION

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Figure 1.1 Holocaust Map
Figure 1.2 Map through the course

of Anne Frank's life until death

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
It is World War II (1939- 1945) and Germany is together with the Axis
Powers with Deh Fuhrer (Adolf Hitler) as the prime leader and Dictator of the
entire Germany.
The location which is clearly stated in the book is in the country Europe. It is
important to know that Holland or the modern day Netherlands where
Amsterdam is located is where Anne Frank lived her whole life as Jews were
forced into living there.
Since Holland is near Germany, it is inevitable that Holland would be a war-
torn area and a prominent battle field in the course of events during the World
War II. Sounds of Planes flying, bombs exploding, and guns were very common
in Holland which caused psychological fears and traumas among people living
there.
The things happening outside their world in the Secret Annexe were really
relevant for them since it would dictate, the defeat and glories of the war, their
freedom which is most important for them just like when Mussolini was taken
over by the King of Italy and the attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler which is
a very significant news.
Location dictates the fate of Amsterdam and their lives. Location is used as
the connection of each country present in the warring states and the countries
which are near to them (peripheral) as how the war (battlefields) would
commence.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
-Theme 2: Place-
It is boiling hot, we are all positively melting, and in this heat one have to walk
everywhere. Now one can fully appreciate how nice a tram is,- but that is a
forbidden luxury for Jews shank's mare is good enough for us. I had to visit the
dentist in the Jan Luykenstraat in the lunch hour yesterday. It is a long way from
our school in the Stadstimmertuinen,- I nearly fell asleep in school that
afternoon. Luckily, the dentist's assistant was very kind and gave me a
drink-she's a good sort. We are allowed on the ferry and that is about all. There
is a little boat from the Josef Israelskade, the man there took us at once when
we asked him. It is not the Dutch people's fault that we are having such a
miserable time.
I do wish I didn't have to go to school, as my bicycle was stolen in the Easter
holidays and Daddy has given Mummy's to a Christian family for safekeeping.
But thank goodness, the holidays are nearly here, one more week and the
agony is over. (p.8)
`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 good friend of his.
Then Margot told me later that there was a mistake — the Germans had called
her up, not Father. How can they take a girl of sixteen away from her family like
that? But she's not going!(p.13)
The hiding-place is in Father's office building. On the bottom floor is the
warehouse, and next to it an entrance to the office, which is upstairs. There are

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
two offices — a front one which is big and light, and a small dark one at the back.
(p.16)
From Mr Kugler's office at the back, you go up another four stairs and you conic
to the private office, which is very fine and has good furniture.
Up on the third floor is our `Secret Annexe'. There are some attics for storage on
the left, and on the right is the door to our hiding-place. It's surprising that there
are so many rooms behind that small grey door. (p.17)
Margot and I share a small room, and Mother and Father's bedroom is also our
sitting-room. Up the stairs again is a big light room which will be the kitchen and
Mr and Mrs van Daan's bedroom. There is a very small room for Peter, their son,
and another attic. So that's our lovely Annexe! (p.18)
The others can't get used to the big clock outside which tells the time every
quarter of an hour. But I like it, especially at night. I don't feel at home here yet.
I don't hate it though. It is like a holiday in a strange little hotel. My bedroom was
very empty when I arrived, but I've stuck up pictures of my favourite film actors
and actresses. It's a lot better now. (p.20)
Now our Secret Annexe is really secret! Mr Kugler has built a bookcase over our
little entrance. It opens like a door.
It's a beautiful day outside, nice and hot. We can still enjoy it, lying on a bed in
the attic. (pp.23-24)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Try to imagine this. We haven't got a bathroom, so we all take our water away to
wash in different places! Peter goes in the office kitchen, which has a glass door.
Mr van Daan carries his hot water upstairs so that he can be private. Mrs van
Daan hasn't had a bath yet — she can't decide which is the best place for it!
Father goes into the private office and Mother into the kitchen. Margot and I
share the front office. We close the curtains and wash ourselves there in the
dark!
On Wednesday someone was doing repairs in the office downstairs. We
couldn't use the toilet or use water all day. Father and I found a suitable pot
which we could all use as a toilet! We had to sit still all day and not say a word!
That was the most difficult thing for me. (pp.35- 36)
Henk brought a copy of the bishop's letter to churchgoers for us to read. It was
very fine and inspiring. "Do not rest, people of the Netherlands, everyone is
fighting with his own weapons to free the country, the people, and their religion."
"Give help, be generous, and do not dismay!" is what they cry from the pulpit,
just like that. Will it help? It won't help the people of our religion. (p. 67)
How scared the ladies are during the air raids. For instance, on Sunday, when
350 British planes dropped half a million kilos of bombs on Ijmuiden, how the
houses trembled like a wisp of grass in the wind, and who knows how many
epidemics now rage. You don't know anything about all these things, and I
would need to keep on writing the whole day if I were to tell you everything in
detail. People have to line up for vegetables and all kinds of other things,

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
doctors are unable to visit the sick, because if they turn their backs on their cars
for a moment, they are stolen,- burglaries and thefts abound, so much so that
you wonder what has taken hold of the Dutch for them suddenly to have
become such thieves. Little children of eight and eleven years break the
windows of peoples homes and 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 announcements in the newspapers
offering rewards for the return of lost property, typewriters, Persian rugs,
electric clocks, cloth, etc., etc. Electric clocks in the streets are dismantled,
public telephones are pulled to pieces down to the last thread. Morale among
the population can't be good, the weekly rations are not enough to last for two
days except the coffee substitute. The invasion is a long time coming, and the
men have to go to Germany. The children are ill or undernourished, everyone is
wearing old clothes and old shoes. A new sole costs 7.50 florins in the black
market,- moreover, hardly any of the shoemakers will accept shoe repairs or, if
they do, you have to wait months, during which time the shoes often disappear.
(p. 192)
ANALYSES THEME 2: PLACE

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Figure 2.1
Floor Plan
of the
Secret
Annexe
Figure 2.2
Bookcase
covering
the door Figure 2.3 Entrance to the Secret Annexe
entrance
inside the
Secret
Annexe
Figure 2.4 Anne Frank's House

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Probably the most important in this theme, is where the Franks, the Van
Daans, and Mr. Dussel resided which is the Secret Annexe. In the images
above, the floor plans and the inside of the Secret Annexe and the places where
they hid, and do all sorts of activities are illustrated.
The Secret Annexe was said to be the perfect hiding place for people who
are hunted, they stayed for a long time and they were never found, added the
bookcase which was a clever thing to place so that the people in the Annexe
would less likely be discovered.
This theme also describes the weather in Amsterdam and the surroundings
as seen through the Window in the attic. Another interesting thing said in the
diary is their bathroom activities which was very hard because of the scarce
room space as well as the probabilities that if they would make too much noise,
neighbours might suspect of people hiding in the annexe which would lead to
their latter discovery.
Place was used to describe how they lived behind the Office Building of Otto
Frank. place dictated their ways and patterns of living as concerned with the
happenings outside the Secret Annexe. Everything was considered using Place
to prevent people to discover their hiding. Place was relevant to determine how
they would do daily activities and how they would overcome distribution of
spaces and ways of doing things.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
-Theme 3: Human/ Environment Interaction-
Something amusing happened yesterday, I was passing the bicycle sheds
when someone called out to me. I looked around and there was the nice-looking
boy I met on the previous evening, at my girl friend Eva's home. He came shyly
towards me and introduced himself as Harry Goldberg. I was rather surprised
and wondered what he wanted, but I didn't have to wait long. He asked if I would
allow him to accompany me to school. "As you're going my way in any case, I
will," I replied and so we went together. Harry is sixteen and can tell all kinds of
amusing stories. He was waiting for me again this morning and I expect he will
from now on. (p.8)
Harry came over on Sunday evening. He told me that his grandmother doesn't
like our meetings. But on Wednesday nights, his grandmother thinks that he
goes to woodwork lessons — he doesn't, so he'll be free to meet me! And he
said that he wants to see me on Saturdays and Sundays too!
`But if your grandmother doesn't want you to meet me, you shouldn't do it
behind her back!'
`Everything's allowed in love and war!' (pp.9-10)
Harry visited us yesterday to meet my Father and Mother. We had a big tea, and
went out for a walk together later. It was ten past eight when he brought me
home. Father was very angry because it is so dangerous to be out after eight
o'clock. I promised to come home by ten to eight in future. (p.10)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
When we went out for a walk together a few days ago, Father said, `We may
have to go into hiding soon.'
`Why?' I asked him. `Why are you talking about it already?'
`Well, Anne,' he said,’ you know that we've been making stores of food, clothes
and furniture for more than a year now. The Germans could take everything
away and us too.' He was very serious. (p.12)
Last night, the four of us went down to the private office to listen to the news
from the BBC in England on the radio. I was so frightened that I asked Father to
take me back upstairs! I thought someone might hear it. We have to be very
quiet at night. (p.21)
Great news! Another person is coming to live here. Eight is no more difficult
than seven, and it is so dangerous for Jews now. We have chosen a dentist
called Alfred Dussel. He seems to be nice. Miep knows him, and she will help
him to get here. He will have to sleep in my room though, and Margot will have
to move in with our parents. We'll ask him to fill the holes in our teeth! (p.48)
Mr Dussel has arrived. Everything went smoothly. He came to the warehouse,
and Miep asked him to take off his coat, so that no one could see the yellow star.
Then she brought him to the private office. He still had no idea where he was
going, or what was going to happen! When she opened our bookcase door, he
was so surprised! He thought we had left the country. We were waiting around
the table, ready to welcome him with a drink.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
After lunch he slept for a short time, put away his things, and joined us for tea.
We gave him the list of rules for the Secret Annexe that the van Dins had
written.(p.50)
PROSPECTUS AND GUIDE TO THE SECRET ANNEXE
Special institution as temporary residence for Jews and suchlike.
Open all year round: Beautiful, quiet, free from dam. Van be reached by trams
13 and 17, also by car or bicycle. In special cases also on foot, if the Germans
prevent the use of transport.
Board and Lodging Price: Free.
Food: Special fat free diet.
Running Water: in the bathroom (alas, no bath) and down various inside and
outside walls.
Ample storage rooms: for all sorts of things
Own radio centre: direct communication with London, New York, Tel Aviv, and
numerous other stations. This appliance is only for residents' use after six o'
clock in the evening. No stations are forbidden, on the understanding that
German stations are only listened to in special cases, such as classical music
and the like.
Rest hours: From 10 p.m. to 7.30 a.m.; 10.15 a.m. on Sundays. This is for your
safety. The Management may also ask you to rest at other times too.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Holidays: (outside the home) postponed indefinitely
Use of language: Speak softly at all times, by order! All civilised languages are
permitted, therefore NO GERMAN!
Exercise: Every day.
Lessons: One written shorthand lesson per week. English, French,
Mathematics, and History at all times.
Small pets special department: (permit is necessary) good treatment available.
(vermin excepted)
Mealtimes: Breakfast every day except Sundays and Bank Holidays at 9 a.m.
(11.30 a.m. on Sundays and bank holidays).
Lunch: A light meal from 1.15 p.m. to 1.45 p.m.
Dinner: Sometimes a hot meal, sometimes not. The time of dinner changes
because of radio news broadcasts.
Duties: Residents must always be ready to help with other work
Bath: The moveable bath can be used by all guests after 9 a.m. on Sundays.
You may take your bath in the bathroom, kitchen, private office or front office.
Alcoholic beverages: only with doctor's prescription.
The end (pp. 51-52)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
It will be our turn to hand in our radio next month. Koophuis has a clandestine
baby set at home that he will let us have to take the place of our big Phillips. It
certainly is a shame to have to hand in our lovely set, but in a house where
people are hiding, one daren't, under any circumstances, take wanton risks and
so draw the attention of the authorities. We shall have the little radio upstairs.
On top of hidden Jews, clandestine money and clandestine buying, we can add
a clandestine radio. Everyone is trying to get hold of an old set and to hand that
in instead of their "source of courage." It is really true that as the news from
outside gets worse, so the radio with its miraculous voice helps us to keep up
our morale and to say again, "Chins up, stick it out, better times will come!"
(pp.83- 84)
I see the eight of us with our "Secret Annexe" as if we were a little piece of blue
heaven, surrounded by heavy black rain clouds. The round, clearly defined spot
where we stand is still safe, but the clouds gather more closely about us and the
circle which separates us from the approaching danger closes more and more
tightly. Now we are so surrounded by danger and darkness that we bump
against each other, as we search desperately for a means of escape. We all
look down below, where people are fighting each other, we look above, where it
is quiet and beautiful, and meanwhile we are cut off by the great dark mass,
which will not let us go upwards, but which stands before us as an impenetrable
wall,- it tries to crush us, but cannot do so yet. I can only cry and implore: "Oh, if
only the black circle could recede and open the way for us!" (p.115)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
I've written so much about myself and my feelings, so why shouldn't I write
about sex, too? Parents are very strange about sex. They should tell their sons
and daughters everything at the age of twelve. But instead of that, they send
them out of the room when anyone talks about sex, and the children have to try
and find out everything by themselves. Then, later, the parents think that the
children already know it all, but usually they don't!
Soon after I was eleven, they told me about periods. But I didn't know where the
blood came from, or what it was for. When I was twelve and a half, one of my
friends told me some more. She told me what a man and a woman do together.
Well, I had already guessed! I was quite proud of myself! She also told me that
babies don't come out of their mothers' stomachs. Where everything goes in is
where the baby comes out?
Children hear about sex in bits and pieces, and that isn't right.
Although it's Saturday, I'm not bored! I've been up in the attic with Peter. I sat
there dreaming with my eyes closed, and it was wonderful. (p.179)
In the meantime it is getting more and more wonderful here. I believe, Kitty, that
we may have a real great love in the "Secret Annexe." Don't worry, I'm not
thinking of marrying him. I don't know what he will be like when he grows up, nor
do I know whether we should ever love each other enough to marry. I know now
that Peter loves me, but just how I myself don't know yet. He is so handsome,
both when he laughs and when he looks quietly in front of him,- he is such a
darling and so good. I believe what surprised him most about me was when he

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
discovered that I'm not a bit the superficial worldly Anne that I appear, but just
as dreamy a specimen, with just as many difficulties as he himself. (pp.
184-185)
ANALYSES THEME 3: HUMAN/ ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Figure 3.1
Suitcase
Clandestine
Baby Radio
Figure 3.3 Peter Van Daan

Figure 3.2 Anne Frank's First Radio

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
In interaction, it is very important to bear into mind how the people living in
the Secret Annexe reacts and moves with each other. Such as it was 2 families
and Mr. Dussel were residing. In the book, fights and misundertandings of both
Van Daan and Franks were recorded. Anne Frank's irritability with Mrs. Van
Daan and how she interacts with everybody in the Annexe, and her irritability as
well with Alfred Dussel who was her new roommate upon his arrival, She hated
how Dussel invades her private spaces and use her things.
Love was also manifested here as how Anne reacts with the Presence of
Peter Van Daan who is her love interest along the course of their stay at the
Secret Annexe considering also the reactions of people, most notably Anne's
mother who prevents their closeness because she doesn't believe that true love
is occurring as they do not see anyone else at their age range and that it is the
only reason why they are developing intimate relationships.
Food also became a penultimate reason of misunderstanding as to how to
share, and who would cook, how to distribute food evenly with each other.
Interaction was showcased rather largely in the Diary of Anne Frank
because it was very relevant for them and their interactions in the face of war, in
their way to prevent discovery, and in their way to provide themselves
entertainment and satisfaction.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
-Theme 4: Movement-
At seven-thirty we left the house. I said goodbye to Moortje, my cat. The
neighbours were going to look after her. We hurried to leave the house — we
wanted to reach our hiding-place safely. It was the only thing that mattered.
More tomorrow. (p.15)
Let me continue the story. When we arrived at the warehouse, the Annexe was
full of all the boxes that we had stored at the office for the last few months. No
one could possibly sleep there unless we cleared it up. But Mother and Margot
were really suffering, and they were too tired and unhappy to help. They just lay
down on their beds, so Father and I did it all. We worked all day, until we were
so tired that we fell into bed too. There was no hot meal, but we didn't care. We
worked all the next day, too, which was Tuesday. (p.19)
Yesterday I was very frightened. At eight o'clock the doorbell suddenly rang. I
thought that the Germans were coming to get us. But everybody said that
someone only rang for a joke, or that maybe it was the postman, and I felt calm
again. (p.36)
My hand is still shaking as I write this. Two hours ago we heard an awful noise
at our bookcase door. The knocking didn't stop, and someone was pushing and
pulling at the door. Perhaps they had come to arrest us! We were white with fear!
But at last we heard Mr Kleiman's voice. `Open up, it's me!'The door was stuck,
and he couldn't open it.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
We had a good time on Monday. Miep and Jan spent the night with us. We
cooked specially for them, and the meal tasted wonderful. (p.41)
Well, what about food in the Annexe? A man brings bread every day, a very
nice friend of Mr Kleiman's. And we've stored a hundred tins of food here. We
can buy ration books on the black market, and we've also bought three hundred
pounds of beans. We decided to move them to the attic, and Peter was given
the job. He succeeded in getting five sacks upstairs, but the sixth sack burst,
and a river of beans poured downstairs! I was standing at the bottom- of the
stairs. Peter couldn't stop laughing when he saw me in a sea of brown beans.
Unfortunately though, the beans are very small and have disappeared into all
the holes. Whenever we go upstairs now, we look for a few more beans! (p.47)
Dussel is a very nice man, just as we had all imagined. Of course he thought it
was all right to share my little room. Quite honestly I'm not so keen that a
stranger should use my things, but one must be prepared
to make some sacrifices for a good cause, so I shall make my little offering with
a good will. "If we can save someone, then everything else is of secondary
importance," says Daddy, and he's absolutely right.
The first day that Dussel was here, he immediately asked me all sorts of
questions: When does the charwoman come? When can one use the bathroom?
When is one allowed to use the lavatory? You may laugh, but these things are
not so simple in a hiding place. During the day we mustn't make any noise that
might be heard downstairs,- and if there is some stranger such as the

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
charwoman for example then we have to be extra careful. I explained all this
carefully to Dussel. But one thing amazed me: he is very slow on the uptake. He
asks everything twice over and still doesn't seem to remember. Perhaps that
will wear off in time, and it's only that he's thoroughly upset by the sudden
change. (p. 53)
I will for once write more fully about food because it has become a very difficult
and important matter, not only here in the "Secret Annexe" but in the whole of
Holland, all Europe, and even beyond.
In the twenty-one months that we've spent here we have been through a good
many "food cycles", - you'll understand what that means in a minute. When I talk
of "food cycles" I mean periods in which one has nothing else to eat but one
particular dish or kind of vegetable. We had nothing but endive for a long time,
day in, day out, endive with sand, endive without sand, stew with endive, boiled
or en casscrolt; then it was spinach, and after that followed kohlrabi, salsify,
cucumbers, tomatoes, sauerkraut, etc., etc.
For instance, it's really disagreeable to eat a lot of sauerkraut for lunch and
supper every day, but you do it if you're hungry. However, we have the most
delightful period of all now, because we don't get any fresh vegetables at all.
Our weekly menu for supper consists of kidney beans, pea soup, potatoes with
dumplings, potato-chalet and, by the grace of God, occasionally turnip tops or
rotten carrots, and then the kidney beans once again. We eat potatoes at every
meal, beginning with breakfast, because of the bread shortage. We make our

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
soup from kidney or haricot beans, potatoes, Julienne soup in packets, French
beans in packets, kidney beans in packets. Everything contains beans, not to
mention the bread!
In the evening we always have potatoes with gravy substitute and thank
goodness we've still got it- beetroot salad. I must still tell you about the
dumplings, which we make out of government flour, water, and yeast. They are
so sticky and tough, they lie like stones in one's stomach, -ah, well!
The great attraction each week is a slice of liver sausage, and jam on dry bread.
But we're still alive, and quite often we even enjoy our poor meals. (195- 196)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
ANALYSES THEME 4: MOVEMENT
Figure 4.1 and 4.2 War planes and bombs
Figure 4.3 Alfred Dussel
Figure 4.4 Adolf Hitler

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Illustrated greatly here in movement, are the emotions which are showing
with everything that is happening during the course of the World War II. The
people in the Secret Annexe who are overflowing with fear and scare over
things happening outside the building. Every drop of bomb and every cross of a
war plane, every gun which was triggered were fears of the war.
Every knock on doors, sounds of the wall as if someone is banging or
knocking, and the bookcase moving is a cause for their nervousness and
anxiety of a chance of them being discovered. They were very scared because
of that, as if a Gestapo would be there to arrest them because someone might
have had suspected their presence behind the office building.
There were also many burglary cases happening because there was a very
prominent shortage of food, water, clothing, and other important resources
during the course of the war.
Movement is a part on their survival and their emotions. These were
carefully and specifically cited in the diary on how they communicate with each
other and the way that they gathered resources especially food from the black
market. Movement illustrated how they really reacted with the continuing reign
of Nazi Germany and their dictates at Holland and maltreatment of the Jewish
people.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
-Theme 5: Region-
My father was thirty-six when he married my mother, who was then twenty-five.
My sister Margot was born in Frankfurt-am-Main in Germany in 1926. I followed
on June 12, 1929 and, as we are Jewish, we emigrated to Holland in 1933,
where my father was appointed Managing Editor of Travies N.V. This firm is in
close relationship with the firm of Kolen & Co. in the same building, of which my
father is a partner. (p.3)
After May 1940 good times rapidly fled: first the war, then the capitulation,
followed by the arrival of the Germans, which is when the sufferings of us Jews
really began. Anti-Jewish decrees followed each other in quick succession.
Jews must wear a yellow star, Jews must hand in their bicycles, Jews are
banned from trams and are forbidden to drive. Jews are only allowed to do their
shopping between three and five o'clock and then only in shops which bear the
placard "Jewish shop." Jews must be indoors by eight o'clock and cannot even
sit in their own gardens after that hour. Jews are forbidden to visit theaters,
cinemas, and other places of entertainment. Jews may not take part in public
sports. Swimming baths, tennis courts, hockey fields, and other sports grounds
are all prohibited to them. Jews may not visit Christians. Jews must go to Jewish
schools, and many more restrictions of a similar kind. (p.3)
It seems like years since Sunday morning. So much has happened — the whole
world has turned upside down. But I'm alive, and that's the most important thing.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
On Sunday afternoon we heard that the Germans were going to take Father
away. We know what that means — to a concentration camp.(p.13)
We dressed in lots of clothes. No Jew would dare to leave the house with a
suitcase! (p.15)
I've only got dismal and depressing news for you today. Our many Jewish
friends are being taken away by the dozen. These people are treated by the
Gestapo (Nazi police force) without a shred of decency, being loaded into cattle
trucks and sent to Westerbork, the big Jewish camp in Drente. Westerbork
sounds terrible: only one washing cubicle for a hundred people and not nearly
enough lavatories. There is no separate accomodation, men women, and
children all sleep together. One hears of frightful immorality because of this; and
a lot of women, and even girls, who stay there any length of time are expecting
babies.
It is impossible to escape, most of the people in the camp are branded as
inmates by their shaven heads, and many also by their Jewish appearance. The
English radio says that the Germans are killing them with gas. Perhaps that's
the quickest way to die. Perhaps you don't suffer so much that way. (p.38)
Apart from that, all goes well. Dussel has told us a lot about the outside world,
which we have missed for so long now. He had very sad news. Countless
friends and acquaintances have gone to a terrible fate. Evening after evening
the green and gray army lorries trundle past. The Germans ring at every front
door to inquire if there are any Jews living in the house. If there are, then the

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
whole family has to go at once. If they don't find any, they go onto the next
house. No one has a chance of evading them unless one goes into hiding.
Often they go around with lists, and only ring when they know they can get a
good haul. Sometimes they let them off for cash so much per head. It seems
like the slave hunts of olden times. But it's certainly no joke,- it's much too tragic
for that. In the evenings when it's dark, I often see rows of good, innocent
people accompanied by crying children, walking on and on, in charge of a
couple of these chaps, bullied
and knocked about until they almost drop. No one is spared old people, babies,
expectant mothers, the sick each and all join in the match of death.
How fortunate we are here, so well cared for and undisturbed. We wouldn't
have to worry about all this misery were it not that we are so anxious about all
those dear to us whom we can no longer help.
I feel wicked sleeping in a warm bed, while my dearest friends have been
knocked down or have fallen into a gutter somewhere out in the cold night. I get
frightened when
I think of close friends who have now been delivered into the hands of the
crudest brutes that walk the earth. And all because they are Jews! (pp. 53- 54)
It is terrible outside. Day and night more of those poor miserable people are
being dragged off, with nothing but a rucksack and a little money. On the way
they are deprived even of these possessions. Families are torn apart, the men,
women, and children all being separated. Children coming home from school

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
find that their parents have disappeared. Women return from shopping to find
their homes shut up and their families gone.
The Dutch people are anxious too, their sons are being sent to Germany.
Everyone is afraid. (p.63)
Pim is expecting the invasion any day. Churchill has had pneumonia, but is
improving slowly. The freedom loving Candhi of India is holding his umpteenth
fast. Mrs. Van Daan claims to be fatalistic. But who is the most scared when the
guns go off? No one else but Petronella. (p. 67)
We had a short circuit last evening, and on top of that the guns kept banging
away all the time. I still haven't got over my fear of everything connected with
shooting and planes, and I creep into Daddy's bed nearly every night for comfort.
I know it's very childish but you don't know what it is like. The A.A. guns roar so
loudly that you can't hear yourself speak. Mrs. Van Daan, the fatalist, was
nearly crying, and said in a very timid little voice, "Oh, it is so unpleasant! Oh,
they are shooting so hard," by which she really means "I'm so frightened."
It didn't seem nearly so bad by candlelight as in the dark. I was shivering, just as
if I had a temperature, and begged Daddy to light the candle again. He was
relentless, the light remained off. Suddenly there was a burst of machine-gun
fire, and that is ten times worse than guns. Mummy jumped out of bed and, to
Pirn's annoyance, lit the candle. When he complained her answer was firm:
"After all, Anne's not exactly a veteran soldier," and that was the end of it. (p.68)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
this time it was wonderful news, such as we have not heard for months, perhaps
in all the war years. "Mussolini has resigned, the King of Italy has taken over the
government." We jumped for joy. After the terrible day yesterday, at last
something good again and hope. Hope for it to end, hope for peace. (p.92)
Bolkestein, an M.P., was speaking on the Dutch News from London, and he
said that they ought to make a collection of diaries and letters after the war. Of
course, they all made a rush at my diary immediately. Just imagine how
interesting it would be if I were to publish a romance of the "Secret Annexe."
The title alone would be enough to make people think it was a detective story.
But, seriously, it would seem quite funny ten years after the war if we Jews were
to tell how we lived and what we ate and talked about here. Although I tell you a
lot, still, even so, you only know very little of our lives. (pp. 191- 192)
Why do they make still more gigantic planes, still heavier bombs and, at the
same time, prefabricated houses for reconstruction? Why should millions be
spent daily on the war and yet there's not a penny available for medical services,
artists, or for poor people?
Why do some people have to starve, while there are surpluses rotting in other
parts of the world? Oh, why are people so crazy?
I don't believe that the big men, the politicians and the capitalists alone, are
guilty of the war. Oh no, the little man is just as guilty, otherwise the peoples of
the world would have risen in revolt long ago! There's in people simply an urge

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
to destroy, an urge to kill, to murder and rage, and until all mankind, without
exception, undergoes a great change, wars will be waged, everything that has
been built up, cultivated, and grown will be destroyed and disfigured, after
which mankind will have to begin all over again. (p.223)
Now I am getting really hopeful, now things are going well at last. Yes, really,
they're going well! Super news! An attempt has been made on Hitler's life and
not even by Jewish communists or English capitalists this time, but by a proud
German general, and what's more, he's a count, and still quite young. The
Fiihrer's life was saved by Divine Providence and, unfortunately, he managed to
get off with just a few scratches and burns. A few officers and generals who
were with him have been killed and wounded. The chief culprit was shot.
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)

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
ANALYSES THEME 5: REGION
Figure 5.1 Winston Churchill
Figure 5.2 Jews with Jewish Star on their

coats

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
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 generaling 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.
Everthing 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 walks of life, babies, elderly, anyone who are Jews.
Region presents all discrimination happening in Europe because of race
and religion. Unifying Jews by means of desecration, obliteration, and
annihilitation committed by German Gestapo with the command of Adolf Hitler.
The victors of the war and people involved were also shown on how they affect
the Jews.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Though the events within the diary offer only a glimpse of the horrors done
to the Jewish people because of the war, fear is still evident and illustrations of
war life is greatly exemplified.
I believe that there are a huge number of messages that could be grasped
reading this book but I think the central theme was freedom. Freedom in a way
of Jews being liberated from war torn and difficult life as well as freedom in a
way that race and religion would not be the basis of discrimination among
humanity. Freedom which they long for, freedom which they would like to have,
freedom which they choose to fight for.
Anne Frank, a 13, 14, 15 year old girl living in World War II Amsterdam,
hiding behind an office building, writing in her diary which she received as a gift
for her birthday, using her pen as her ultimate source of expressing herself, is
an inspiration worldwide to fight for what they believe in, obliterate not people,
but discrimination, destroy not homes but fear, uplift not power, but humanity
and love. A 13 year old girl communicates in all walks of life, in all courses of
time, in the phase of History.
Geography played a great part in the course of the life of Anne Frank and
the Jewish people in World War II moreover, as how location affects the fate of
their lives and their actions involving Holland as the Battlefield, as how place
illustrated their lives in the Secret Annexe behind the office building of Mr. Otto
Frank how they distributed the place with each other and how they used it the

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
most efficient way they could, as how human/ environment interaction dictated
how they would live and react to each people in their own small world and how
they would use their interaction to prevent fights and alleviate chances of their
discovery by the Germans, as how movement dictated their activities in the
Secret Annexe as simple as using the bathroom and looking out the window,
their emotions and feelings whenever they hear planes crossing over
Amsterdam and bombs exploding loudly, guns triggering, and Jews walking the
streets of Amsterdam going to concentrations camps only because they are
Jews.
After reading the Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank, many realizations
came about especially that I live in a free world, where expression could be
expressed, where emotions could be given out, where freedom of speech is
practiced, where we are safe and that we should thank for it!
This book could be recommended for everyone and it should stay as a
required reading for Grade 9 students under the Department of Education in the
Philippines. It is recommended for educators, for them to be able to relay
lessons to their students and provide inspiration as how Anne Frank provided
inspiration for many, and in Contemporary World for people in the Government
to read it to prevent discrimination and uplift humanity in everybody, the
Philippine Government to realize the importance of History in present day time
of how these people fought with the best they can, and for students primarily to
study the best they can to be a better cosmopolitan citizen and a person of the
world!

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
Bibliography:
Frank, A. (1967). Anne Frank: The diary of a young girl. Garden City, New
York: Doubleday Publishing.

o
Taft Avenue, Manila
View publication stats

Anne Frank The Diary of A Young Girl

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anne Frank The Diary of A Young Girl

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Anne Frank The Diary of A Young Girl

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

The Diary of A Young Girl: Anne Frank

Working Paper · December 2016

Luisse Zanther Carreos

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Philippine Normal University

Geographical Book Review