The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank-Wednesday-September 29-1943 onwards

 The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank-Wednesday-September 29-1943 onwards

In this diary entry, Anne writes that it was Mrs. van Daan’s birthday and she received very less gifts like a jar of jam, one ration stamp each for cheese, meat, bread, etc. Her husband, Mr. Dussel and office staff gave her flowers and also food.

Anne also reports that Bep had a nervous fit last week because of so many errands () she has to do. She has also to do her regular office work in the absence of Mr. Kleiman, who is sick; and Miep, who is also at home due to ill health. She has her personal troubles also to face. Her ankle has got sprained recently; her boy-friend creates troubles for her and her father is a grouchy (bad-tempered) type of person.

Anne also writes about unprecedented () drama that was enacted () on Saturday. It started with the discussion on Marren and ended in a general argument and tears.

Dussel complained to Anne’s mother that he was being treated in the Annex like a ‘leper’ (). No one is friendly with him. But Mr. Frank told him that he had been a source of great annoyance to them.

Anne also reports that the trouble is brewing up from the van Daans. Her father is furious at this because they have been cheating them and holding back meat and other food-items for their own use.

Sunday, October 17, 1943

Mr. Kleiman has come back from hospital, yet he looks a little pale. He is ready to sell off his old clothes to Mr. van Daan, but the bad thing is that he is running short of money as his last one hundred guilders were lost in the warehouse. No one knows as to who is the thief. Mr. van Daan has a pile of clothes with her. Mr. van Daan’s suit is difficult to be sold off and no one wants to buy Peter’s bicycle.

Friday, October 29, 1943

Anne writes that Mr. Kleiman came to tell them that he was not feeling well and, so, he was going home. He is looking very down. Anne also writes about the quarrel between Mrs. and Mr. van Daan. They are badly in need of money and no one is ready to buy his overcoat and suit due to high price demanded by him.

Mr. van Daan also has an idea of selling his wife’s fur-coat, which is 17 years old and made up of rabbit skin. Mrs. van Daan received 325 guilder after selling it and she has decided to keep all the money with her to purchase new clothes after the war is over and they go to their homes.

Anne’s Miserable Condition in the Annex

Anne writes that the Secret Annex has become a virtual hell as its atmosphere is marred (spoiled) by constant shouting, screaming, stamping of feet and swearing. It has made Anne’s life miserable. She has lost appetite (hunger) also. She is being given several medicines like dextrose ( a type of glucose), cod-liver oil, which is good source of vitamin A & D, brewer’s yeast and calcium. Her condition aggravates especially on Sundays. Actually she needs open air to breathe in and feel fresh to restore her health, but there was no alternative to her except to live in the stifling (stressful), sluggish (dull, lazy) and gloomy atmosphere of the Annex.

She feels as if deathly and oppressive silence hangs over the house. Sometimes her parents and her sister Margot seem to her quite unimportant. She wanders in the house from one room to the other, up and down the stairs like a bird whose wings have been ripped off. She keeps on lying on divan and only sleep provides some relief to her.