The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank-Wednesday- January 12-1944 onwards

 The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank-Wednesday- January 12-1944 onwards

Bep has come back to the Office in the Warehouse after spending two days in bed due to bad cold. Miep and Jan were also suffering from upset stomachs. Anne is presently practicing dance diligently (sincerely) every evening.

 She also reports that everyone in the Annex is reading the book ‘A Cloudless Morning’. Her mother thinks that the book is very useful as it describes a number of problems that boys and girls face during their adolescent period. Anne also says that her mother is under the illusion that she understands her children better than any other woman in the world and she has an outstanding relationship with her daughters. Anne also thinks that her sister, Margot had no thoughts and problems common between them.

Anne says that at present Margot’s behavior towards her has changed and she does not consider her a child.

Anne also recalls the days when she had felt herself an orphan among her family members. She was constantly rebuked by her mother sometimes on some petty issues and sometimes with no issues at all. She writes that sometimes she forced herself to greet her mother in the morning, but her feelings were badly hurt when her mother would snap at her at that very time with some bitter remarks. 

Then she would go to her school by picking her satchel with bitter feelings still biting at her heart. While coming back, she would divert her bad feelings with an excuse to defend her mother that she had so many worries, so her behaviour was sometimes bitter towards her.

Sometimes she tried to stay angry with her mother and not to speak after coming back from school. But she would often forget her resolution because she had so many events of school to share with her mother.

After that a long spell came in which she felt lonely and she would cry at night thinking everyone’s irritating behaviour towards her. Thus, the strained relationship continued with her mother. But she had a consolation that she loved Peter and she would face all with that wonderful feeling in her heart.

Saturday, January 15, 1944

Anne begins this diary entry by writing that there is no use of describing quarrels and arguments which often occur in the Annex. She only writes that they have divided many things like meat, fats & oils and they are frying potatoes separately. They also eat a little extra rye bread so that they do not feel hungry sooner. Her mother has received extra sugar from Mr. Kugler as her birthday is approaching. That aroused jealousy in Mrs. van Daan as she had not received extra sugar on her own birthday. Anne’s mother has expressed an impossible wish that she would not see Mrs. van Daan’s face for two weeks.

She also writes that has gained some insight into human nature since she came there in the hiding.

The war does not seem to end. However, she wishes that they should try to make the best of their stay there.

 Wednesday Evening, January 14, 1944

Anne mentions that she again had a dream about Peter, but the vision was not so clear as it was the previous time. Anne also writes that she has no jealousy for her sister Margot now although she feels hurt when her father’s behavior is unreasonable to her. She longs for more than her father’s affection, something more than his kisses. 

She tries to control her anger when her mother makes sarcastic remarks and laughs at her. She also adds a comment here that her father has asked her if she knew that her mother received a real mocha cake from the office-workers.

Sunday, January 22, 1944 

Anne begins this diary ENTRY BY PUTTING SEVERAL QUESTIONS TO HER FRIEND Kitty, the diary. She wants to know as to why people hide their real feelings; why she behaves differently when she is in the company of others; why people have little trust on one another, etc.

These are some questions that deal with human nature and these also prove that Anne had developed recently an analytical mind also. Some deep changes have occurred in her personality. Her attitude towards the van Daans has also changed. She has stopped looking at the discussions and arguments in a biased manner, just influenced by her family’s views. 

She also writes that her relationship with her mother would have been different if she had treated her like a real mother. Mrs. van Daan would have been a wonderful lady and half the arguments could have been avoided if Mrs. Frank (Anne’s mother) would have dealt with her tactfully.

Anne has really become a changed person now. She says that she wants to take a fresh view of the things and relationship to make her own independent opinion on the things which were almost out of control at that time. She knows well that the issues had been blown out of proportion. She does not want to miss any opportunity to speak openly with Mrs. van Daan about several issues or differences. She should not be afraid in any way although she has a reputation of being a ‘smart aleck (very clever)’.

Anne further writes that up to then, she was absolutely convinced that the van Daans were put to blame, but now she was sure that the fault was largerly theirs because they (the Frank family)