Essay- The Diary of Anne Frank

Anne Frank

Response to Literature:

"The Diary of Anne Frank"

Have you ever been harshly judged by your religion? Can you imagine having to go into hiding for 2 years, living in a small attic with 7 other people, having to stay silent all the time, and not being able to ever go outside and see your friends? Would you be able to bear the fact that if you were discovered, you, your family, and your friends would all be taken away or killed? This is exactly what Anne Frank, the main character of the play, "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, had to go through. This play, based on Anne Frank's actual diary, is a true story about a 13-year-old Jewish girl named Anne Frank and her family struggling to survive during World War II. This play's suspenseful plot, relatable characters, and inspirational theme make it a heartwarming read for people of all ages.

This story takes place from July 1942-August 1944, and in November 1945, during and after World War II, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The story begins with Mr. Frank, the father of the Frank family, returning to the secret annex with Miep Gies, a family friend. The family had hid in this annex for two years during the war. Mr. Frank finds Anne's diary, along with a scarf and glove, items that belonged to his deceased family. He opens the diary and starts reading. As he does this, he starts having a flashback of living in the secret annex with his family, the Franks, another family, the Van Daans, and a dentist, Mr. Dussel. They were all Jewish people hiding from the Nazis and the Gestapo, afraid to be taken to concentration camps or killed. They lived with this fear for 2 long years, but also experienced many other emotions as well: happiness, sadness, jealousy, shame, anger, love, and hope. These residents often argued, and had a very small food supply. They often worried about the Nazis. There were so many obstacles the residents had to overcome. But with the help of Miep Gies and Mr. Kraler, two family friends and business partners of Mr. Frank, the characters managed to survive living in the secret annex. Unfortuately, after two years, they were discovered and were taken to concentration camps. Everyone eventually dies one way or another, except Mr. Frank and Miep. The flashback ends, and the scene is once again in 1945, with Mr. Frank mourning over the tragic loss of his beloved family and friends, pondering Anne's words she had written in her diary, "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are good at heart."

The main character of the play is Anne Frank, a Jewish girl at the age of 13 hiding from the Nazis with her family and the other residents of the secret annex. During her time at the annex, she keeps a diary, writing all her feelings and events that had happened in it. Unlike most girls during that time, Anne was the type of girl who asked a lot of questions, doesn't care what others think of her, and stands up for what she believes in. She was very outgoing, and had many friends while she was at school. She loved to talk to people. She had a friend in the secret annex, Peter Van Daan, whom she always went to when she wanted to talk about something. She was an optimistic person and liked to look on the bright side of things, and she loved her family very much. Anne was a kind and thoughtful person (getting everyone a Hanukkah present), and she, like many other girls, dreamed of being famous when she grew up. She wanted to become a famous writer or journalist. She had written in her diary, "I want to go on living even after my death." This wish came true when her father found her diary after she had passed away. He had it published, and about 67 million copies were sold worldwide, in many different languages!

Though there are many great themes in this play, such as "imagination is limitless" and "people often change over time", I believe the main theme is "Don't lose hope in a bad situation." Hope is what kept Anne and the rest of the residents from thinking about being killed or captured all the time. Anne had hoped to become a writer and to see her friends again. Miep and Mr. Kraler hoped to be able to help the residents through the war. Everyone hoped that things would go back to normal again. Everyone hoped to see the end of World War II. Near the end of the play, right before the residents were taken away, Mr. Frank had said, "For the past two years, we have lived in fear. Now we can live in hope."

In conclusion, the play, "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett was a very heartwarming play with a suspenseful plot, relatable characters, and an inspirational theme. This play has impacted me and probably many other readers as well. This play has taught me a little bit about World War II, the Nazis, the Jews, and the hardships and difficulties the Jews had to face. It has taught me that children are innocent victims of war. It has taught me that just because these people are Jewish, it doesn't mean they are very different from us personality-wise than other people. I learned to be optimistic and hope for the best. I learned that I should stand up for myself, the way Anne did in some of the scenes, but to also be kind as well.

Mimi Giang - 13yrs ( 8 grade )