The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank Friday, April 02 , 1943-Onwards

 The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank

Friday, April 02 , 1943-Onwards

Anne begins this diary entry feeling guilty about her mother. Anne’s father was not able to say prayers with her, so her mother offered to join her in prayers. She said, “ Anne, Daddy isn’t ready. How about if I listen to your prayers tonight.”

“No, Momsy,” Anne replied to her mother.

After listening to Anne’s refusal, her mother felt very much hurt and her face changed expressions (contorted) due to painful feelings. Tears also rolled down her cheeks and she also remarked in deep anguish that she could not force her to love.

Anne remained silent, but in the heart of hearts, she felt sorry for her mother. She did not want to be hypocritical to her mother. She knew that she had become entirely insensitive to her mother because she had been a victim of constant scolding, insults and baseless criticism by her. All that made her dry in her behavior towards them. Anne feels it very difficult to replace her cold feelings with the warmth of love.

Anne could not sleep at night for most of time and kept crying. Her father was also crossed with her because she had been so much rude to her mother. Everyone in the Secret Annex expected that Anne must feel sorry to her mother, but Anne was not ready to do that.

Tuesday, April 27, 1943

The atmosphere in the Secret Annex has not become normal till now. Their German visitors were back the previous day. They stayed there until six.

Mr. Voskuijl has been hosptalised. Mr. Kleiman has come back at the office. He also reports about the air attacks conducted by the British planes. It has been reported that the Carlton Hotel has been destroyed. Air strikes on German cities are increasing daily.

The inmates of the hiding place are not having sufficient food in store these days. They have to eat plain unbuttered bread in breakfast. In lunch, they are compelled to eat spinach or cooked lettuce with huge potatoes which are usually rotten.

Saturday, May 01, 1943

Anne writes that it was Dussel’s birthday the previous day. At first, he seemed to pretend that he was not interested in celebrating it, but, when Miep came with a large shopping bag that was overflowing with gifts, he became excited like a small child. His darling “Lotje” has sent him eggs, butter, cookies, lemonage, bread, cognac, spice, cake, flowers, oranges, chocolates, books, and writing papers.

Anne calls him a “silly old fool” because he piled his presents on a table for three days.

She also criticized Mr. Dussel for being so selfish that he stored all his eatables in his cupboard and did not care to share them with the other members, knowing that he had been given everything by the inmates of the Annex. Moreover Mr. Frank gave him a shelter at the risk of the secrecy of the Annex being exposed.

Martial law has been declared in Holland. It also added to their woes.

 Anne washed Mother’s hair in an ordinary type of cleanser as no shampoo was available there. She also combed her hair with the family comb which had ten teeth left on it. Such were the conditions that prevailed in the Secret Annex.

Sunday, May 02, 1943

Scarcity of Things in the Secret Annex

Anne writes that they have been living in paradises if the situation inside the Secret Annex is compared to that which is outside in the city. Although they face scarcity of the things of daily use, yet they are far better there. They could not make the bed sheets and table cloths properly cleaned because they received detergent of a very low quality and in short supply also. They are also running shortage of clothes and undergarments also. Everything is so old and worn out that it is difficult to wear them. (648 words)

Sunday, May 02, 1943
The Attitude of the Annex towards War

Anne writes that Mr. van Daan is the man who has deep insight into politics. He predicts that they will have to remain in the Secret annex by the end of the year 1943.

Anne is not sure that the war would come to an end by that time and it would not cause any harm to them and their helpers. Such type of thinking is causing to her each day. She further says that expectations and hopes and fear generate tension. She is constantly under that their helpers might go in hiding as the reports say that everyone is talking about going into hiding. They also come to know that many people are having false identity and Mrs. Van Daan also suggests getting it from every one. But that cannot be done without ample money, which they did not have with them.

Mrs. Van Daan is always ridiculously suggesting one thing or the other. At one time, she announces that she is going to be ‘baptized’ after the war is over and another time she would like to go to Jerusalem and live there among other Jews. Anne’s father is optimistic while Putti (Mr. van Daan) remains exasperated (greatly annoyed and upset).

No one’s except Anne’s father’s and Mr. van Daan’s views on politics are weighty.

Mr. Dussel does not like to be contradicted by anyone and for Anne, this type of Dussel’s nature is very irritating for Anne.