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Research Paper on Anne Frank

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March 12, 2009

The struggles that a person pursues makes for a strong character. A unique
perspective of a young girl’s struggles is chronicled in Anne Frank’s: The Diary of
a Young Girl. It is a compelling example of a young Jewish girl maturing rapidly in
the two years between the ages of 13 and 15 while hiding from the Nazis during
World War II. These are the two years in which change is so swift and difficult for
every young girl. Her numbness to the atrocities of war, her despair at her own
situation and her hope and belief in the human spirit in the face of the horrors of
war and Nazi persecution make Anne Frank’s character stronger.

Anne develops and shows an apparent numbness to the accounts of atrocities

committed by the Nazis. She relates a news account of what happens to Nazi
resistors in a matter-of-fact manner. Anne writes, “Have you ever heard the term
Сhostages’? Leading citizens “innocent people” are taken prisoner to await their
execution. If the Gestapo can’t find the saboteur, they simply grab five hostages
and line them up against the wall. You read the announcements in the paper of
their deaths being Fatal accidents.” (October 9, 1942). The manner in which
Anne relates this account shows a kind of acceptance of what is happening. It
does not seem to horrify her or outrage her.

Living in the Annexe has had a soothing effect on Anne. She retreats to her
“world” and sees the war outside the Annexe as distant. In her diary Anne writes,
“And every night hundreds of planes fly over Holland and go to German towns,
where the earth is ploughed up by their bombs”. It is quiet and safe here “wait as
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 calmly as we can till the misery comes to an end.” (June 13, 1943). This entry
shows Anne’s acceptance of the situation she is in. She sees and hears about
what is happening to the Jews but feels separated, unaffected by it. She has
become insulated in the Annexe, separated from the war.

As time passes, Anne becomes used to the sights and sounds of war. Anne
writes, “Before a quarter of an hour had passed the shooting started up again.
Mrs. Van Daan sat bolt upright at once and then went downstairs to Mr. Dussel’s
room, seeking there the rest which she could not find with her spouse. Dussel
received her with the words “come into my bed, my child!” which sent us off into
uncontrollable laughter. The gunfire bothered us no longer, our fear was
banished.” (May 18, 1943). This shows Anne’s acceptance of the sounds of war.
Unable to do anything about it, unable to escape it, it becomes a part of daily
life.

Although Anne tries to see something positive in most situations and remain
optimistic, she at times falls into great depths of despair and she becomes angry
or deeply saddened.

On the subject of her heritage, after hearing how the Germans are treating the
Jewish population of Germany through BBC broadcasts, Anne becomes very
angry and hurt because she too is German. She writes, “Fine specimens of
humanity, those Germans, and to think that I’m actually one of them!” (October
9, 1942). The indignation in Anne’s writing is evident. She is angry with those
Germans who started and supported this war. Her despair is brought on by the
betrayal she feels at the hands of her own countrymen.

Anne is frustrated at not being in control of the situation she finds herself in. Her
despair is heightened by the fact she feels helpless to do anything. Anne writes,
“I’ve reached the point where I hardly care whether I live or die. The world will
keep on turning without me, and I can’t do anything to change events anyway. I’ll
just let matters take their course” (February 3, 1944). This shows that Anne feels
that she cannot affect any change to what is going on around her. Her feelings
of helplessness and resolve to accept whatever will happen show her despair.

When news that there does not seem to be a quick end to the war, Anne’s
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 despair over her life and her situation come to the forefront, even though she
tries to be courageous and not show it in front of the others. In her diary Anne
writes, “but the minute I was alone I knew I was going to cry my eyes out. I slid
to the floor in my nightgown and began by saying my prayers, very fervently.
Then I drew my knees to my chest, lay my head on my arms and cried, huddles
up on the bare floor. A loud sob brought me back down to earth” (April 5, 1944).
This shows Anne’s struggles with her emotions. She feels frustrated and angry
and helpless, yet she puts on a brave face in front of the others and lets her
feelings come out only when she is alone.

Throughout her time hiding in the Annexe, Anne never lets go of her belief in the
strength of the human spirit.

Anne believes that there is good in everyone. She writes… “It’s really a wonder
that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and
impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still
believe that people are really good at heart.” (July 15, 1944). Faith in the
goodness of the person and the spirit has not been lost. Anne still believes that
people are good at the core even though sometimes they act oppositely.

Anne holds out hope that people will do the right thing when she hears news of
an attempt on Hitler’s life. She writes, “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 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.” ( July 21, 1944). This
reinforces Anne’s belief that people are good” deep down, and want to do what
is right.

Anne has hope for the future. She writes, “It is utterly impossible for me to build
my life on a foundation of chaos, suffering and death “I somehow feel that
everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace
and tranquility will return once more.” (July 15, 1944). Despite all, Anne sees and
feels that things will change. She truly believes that there is hope for a better
future.
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