The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank- Essay

 

The Diary of a Young Girl

Introduction

“The Diary of a Young Girl” is written by Anne Frank while she was in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The family was detained in 1944 and Anne Frank ultimately died in the concentration camp. The diary was retrieved by Miep Gies, who gave it to Anne's father Otto Frank, the only survivor of the family. The diary describes the suffering of the Jews during the Holocaust. It is addressed to Kitty, an imaginary character.

The Hiding Place

Anne and her family were hiding in the upper room of her father's office building in Amsterdam with another family. Their fear grew each time the doorbell rang, when there was a knock on their door, or when they heard that there was a burglary at the office building. They remained hidden for two years and one month, until their betrayal in August 1944. Later they were deported to Nazi concentration camps.

8^th July 1942

On Sunday afternoon, Anne’s sister, Margot, told her that their father had received a call-up notice from the SS, the Nazi guard. Later, alone in their room, Margot told Anne that it was really herself, not Mr. Frank, who had been called up. The girls quickly started packing their things. The next day, they piled on as many layers of clothes as they can, since they could not risk carrying suitcases. Margot left the house first, carrying a schoolbag full of books, and Anne followed later that evening. This section illustrates the poignant contrast between Anne’s innocence and the gravity of her family’s situation.

25^th May 1944

Anne’s writing style changes with the transition to her new life in the hiding place. The world had turned topsy-turvy. Innocent and respectable people were sent to concentration camps. The vegetable man was picked up for having two Jews in his house. Besides the Jews, non-Jews also suffered because of the atrocities of Hitler.

26^th May 1944

Anne wanted to be brave, but it was very difficult. She was depressed and wondered if it would not have been better to suffer a quick death rather than go into hiding. She diverted her thoughts by writing that they all loved life too much.

Conclusion

Anne’s diary ends abruptly on August 1, 1944. She writes from the perspective of a young girl. Hence, her tone is often emotional and insecure. She is optimistic despite the threats and danger from the Nazi soldiers. The tone and substance of her writing change considerably while she is in hiding. Anne is remarkably candid and sensitive at the beginning of the diary. Later, the unusual circumstances of the Holocaust, makes her more introspective and thoughtful.