The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank-Tuesday-February 8-1944-onwards

 The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank-Tuesday-February 8-1944

Anne writes that this morning they (Anne and Margot) had “the giggles (laughter like a child)” of the kind they used to have at school. Anne describes one small incident here. Her mother had forgotten a pin in the woolen blanket which Margot was tucked in. Suddenly, she jumped out of her bed, examined the blanket minutely and found a pin in it. 

After sometime, the mother came out of the bathroom and Anne said something to her just in a light mood. She asked Anne why she uttered those words. At this the reason was explained to her. Anne’s mother should have been remained silent or said in a normal tone that she had forgotten it. She did not say anything on the issue, but said something else that was in a way to hide her mistake and find an opportunity to scold Anne. Then Anne explained her position to her and she became silent. After a few minutes, Anne was obliged to kiss her and say goodnight.

That evening, Peter and his father exchanged hot words at each other. It was so sad that Peter had another dental appointment that day and he had an issue with Dussel also.

Wednesday, February 16, 1944

Anne and Peter van Daan were getting attracted towards each other day by day. Both of them wanted to get an opportunity to look at each other warmly or talk on any topic. She would go to the attic to bring potatoes and while coming back, she would be tempted to enter Peter’s room, maybe for a long or short time. He would tell her that he would go to the Dutch East Indies and live on a rubber Plantation. He talked about his life at home, etc. Anne told him that he had a big inferiority complex. He also talked about war and said that there would surely a war between England and Russia. 

He also said that it would have been better if he had been a Christian. He also spoke about the possibility of becoming a Christian after the war. Peter also said that he would not feel like a Christian if he became the one; but he would be able to hide that he was basically a Jew. Anne felt it bad to know that there was touch of dishonesty in him.

They continued chatting about Mr. Frank, Annes father, about judging human character and several other things that she is unable to remember at the time of writin g this entry.

At quarter past five, Anne left his room because Bep had arrived. Anne came to know about one thing more about Peter and it was as to why he hugs Mouchi so tightly. Actually, he needed affection that he could not receive from his parents.

Thursday, February 17, 1944

In this diary entry, Anne writes that she read some stories to Mrs. van Daan. She began with Eva’s Dream and she liked it very much. Then she read some passages from “The Secret Annex”, which made her burst into laughter. Peter also wanted Anne to read some stories to him also in his room. She got her notebook and let him read the part where Cady and Hans talk about God.

Friday, February 18, 1944

Anne says that she is not in love with Peter, but she has the feeling that something is going to develop between them. It is a kind of friendship and a feeling of trust. She goes to his room whenever she gets a chance. Anne’s mother does not like her going into Peter’s room. She asks her every time as to where she is coming from. Anne does not like her mother asking about it.

Saturday, February 19, 1944

Anne spent nearly an hour upstairs making meatballs from chopped meat; but she spoke to Peter just incidentally. At 2:30 p.m., everyone went upstairs to read or have a nap, Anne went downstairs to sit at the desk to read or write. Very soon, she puts her head in her arms and started sobbing. She wished if Peter could come and comfort her.

Sunday, February 20, 1944

In this diary entry, Anne describes Sunday activities. Dussel gets up at eight while the others prefer to sleep.

At nine-thirty, the stoves are lit and the blackout screen is taken out. Mr. van Daan moves towards the bath room. One of Anne’s Sunday ordeals is to look at Dussel’s back when he is praying. She says that it is a terrible sight to look at because he moves back and forth, back and forth.

At 10:45, the bathroom is free. Till eleven, all the members of the Frank family take their turn and get ready for breakfast at 11: 30.

At 12:15, all of them begin their assigned work of cleaning the rug, washing the dishes, clothes and making the beds, etc.

Anne writes that weather has been wonderful since yesterday and her writing work is going on smoothly. Every morning she goes to the attic to breathe in fresh air. Peter also reached there after completing his cleaning work. First of all, they sat silently enjoying natural scene outside in the blue sky, the bare chestnut trees, seagulls and several other birds. 

After some time, he had to go to the loft to chop wood. He climbed the ladder and Anne also followed him. They did not utter even a single word. She kept watching him silently doing his work. Anne also looked out of the open window to have a glimpse of a large part of Amsterdam.

Anne also shows her love for Nature in this diary entry. She thinks that the person who feels lonely or unhappy may come in the open to see up in the open sky, the nature around and feel the presence of God. In this way, Anne expresses her firm belief that as long as the world of Nature exists around us, it will always bring comfort for every restless soul.

At the end of this diary entry, she expresses some more ideas which are referred to Peter. She believes that God has compensated all of us for every kind of material loss. She believes that happiness always resides in human heart. Sometimes it is dimmed because of some disturbances that come in our life. The need is to rekindle that spark of happiness. The easiest way to achieve that state of real happiness is to be one with God through Nature. 

She writes that all material things like riches and reputation are short-lived, but the real happiness never leaves us. In a way, she advises Peter to go to the loft on a beautiful day and try looking outside, not at the houses and the rooftops, but in the sky whenever he feels sad.

Thus we come to know that Anne has become so much mature that she has started reflecting on the deep thoughts.