Anne Frank and the Holocaust

Anne Frank had become the best known symbol for the murdered Jews of the Second World War. Her diary, which she wrote between June 12, 1942 and 1944, while she was in hiding in the "Annex." Was published in more than fifty countries. It has been the inspiration for many stage, screen, and television presentation.
The denial of the Holocaust has no more credibility than the assertion that the earth is flat. Yet there are those who insist that the death of six million Jews in Nazi concentration camps is nothing but a hoax perpetrated by a powerful Zionist conspiracy. Some people thought that Hitler never meant to kill the Jews, but they died of diseases. Many years have passed since the end of the Holocaust and today the event is more prominent in public consciousness than it was in 1945. Many were struggling to survive the extreme harshness of Hitler. Anne Frank was a young girl, whose life brought about many changes, but left her indention in society.

There were many people killed, because of Hitler. Anne Frank did not acknowledge the publicity she received on her famous writing, but the impressions she left on many people still lives on within our hearts. When you think of Anne you begin to have a photogenic memory of a sweet, kind, and innocent young girl. Her personality was outrageous. She could make anyone's day a happy one. Many books were published in fifty countries around the world.
Anne was born June 12, 1929, her sister Margot, who was three years older, and lived in Amsterdam at 37 Merwederplin. There, as the daughter of well-to-do parents, Anne spent carefree years. But, the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940 cast a shadow on this happy childhood, and the situation became worse with the increasing restrictions placed on the Jews children were permitted to attend only Jewish Schools.

Margot received a letter to go to work in the East and Frank knew it was time to go into hiding. The Franks were fortunate, because they had good friends to help them to find places to hide. This was unusual, because not everyone didn't have this point of contact.

The Frank family remained in hiding the whole time they were in hiding. Many of the families didn't remain together while they were hiding from the nazi. Many of them were separated from each other. It was very hard getting separated from their families and knowing that they may never see each other again.

Anne loved her family, and tried keeping a pretty picture in her mind, even though she didn't feel as close to them at times. She favored her father over her mother, but she also loved her to. Her sister Margot was always looked upon as being a better person than she was, because she received better grades in school than she did. Anne was a young girl, but she was intelligent and clever in her own way. She had so much going for her at a young age. She had her own technique and style that no one could ever take away from her. She starting out writing and when she died she continued to write. Anne will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to live on.

Because of the courage and inspiration Anne has become a role model to many young people in schools across the country. Deborah Lipstadt writes many students such as high school and college students are using her book as a required text (230). By reading the diary it would help students understand what the holocaust was about. Many students today do not have a clue what the holocaust is about, so by reading the text it will give them greater knowledge about the subject.

Before Anne went into hiding she received a diary from her parents for her thirteenth birthday (Lindwer, Willy 17). She begins to write in her diary immediately, calling her new friend "Kitty". Over a period of twenty-six months she filled many albums and loose sheets of paper (Lipstadt, Deborah 230). She was overwhelmed about this little red checkered book. Anne wrote all her thoughts and feelings in her book. She added in many things along with her on comments. Occasionally she pretended in her book she had imaginary friends, because she did not want to use anyone on the outside. She often applied her diary to her everyday life and experiences around her. Sometimes she talked about happy times and sometimes-sad times. Anne was particular about showing her writings to everyone. If someone asked to see her work she would tell him or her no you couldn't see it (qtd. Gies, Miep 122).

The only place she would write in her book was in her own room or her parent's room (Gies 122). Anywhere else she wrote was uncomfortable for her. She would not show her diary to anyone, not even her family. This was considered her little secret. Her diary would go everywhere she went. Certain people would tease her about writing in the diary, but her father would demand that no one was to disturb her (Gies 122). Her father would also hide her diary for her, so no one could attempt to look inside of it.

Margot was Anne older sister, but Anne seemed to be somewhat jealous of her. They where like night and day. Anne was the kind of person that wanted to mix and mingle with different people and be seen. She liked being in the spotlight and having many friends. Anne was more of a social butterfly (qtd. Gies 56). She hung around many boys in school. Most of her friends were boys instead of girls. She didn't care to hang around girls too often. She had some girlfriends, but not many. Margot was a more down to earth person. She didn't like to be in the midst of many people, because she was shy. Margot grades in school was excellent compared to Anne's. Anne's grades were about average. Margot was always considered an example for Anne to follow. She didn't study as much, because she was more active in the community. She participated in school plays and other activities that she was able to intervene in.

As Anne matured she began to notice her appearance more often. Experimenting with her clothes and hair she made herself appear older. She often combed and brushed her hair, because she had long hair. . ." (Gies 122). Anne felt less than her sister did. In the eyesight of Anne, Margot was always considered to be better looking than she was, but she got passed that and they became best friends as well as sisters.

At school Anne was sometimes funny and all the kids laughed at her jokes. The teacher especially laughed at Anne, because she made up a poem that was so funny (Lindwer 18). She was a delight to have in class. Her character and was unusual from any child I've ever known. She would often get into trouble for talking too much in school and her teacher would assign her extra work to do. She would do work and still manage to make a good grade on her paper. She was so gifted it was hard to give her extra homework and expect her not to finish it.

Anne favored her father more than she did her mother. She stayed very close to her father clinging onto him " (qtd. Gies 75). They had a special bond between them. Her father is looked upon as a role model for her. He spoiled Anne and did anything he could for her. She was treated better by her father rather than by her mother (Lindwer 17). Anne and her dad did many things together. They would go to church, but it was very seldom (Lindwer 14). They stayed at home most of the time doing other things. Church was no big deal for them. Margot and Mrs. Frank went to church regularly. They were more spiritual than Anne and her father. An followed in her father footsteps. Whatever he did, Anne did the same thing. Anne was the apple of her father's eye, and he adored her greatly (Lindwer 93). Her dad was willing to do whatever he could to make her happy. He liked Anne more than his daughter Margot. Just like Mrs. Frank loved Margot more, it was the same way with Mr. Frank he loved Anne more.
Anne worked extremely hard to please her mother, but it didn't seem she cared about her. She wanted to have a relationship with her mother just like the relationship she had with her father. This hurt her terribly. She wanted to be close to her mother, but it was hard for her to get close. The reason she didn't care for her mother very much is, because she thought her mother favored Margot more than her. Her mother would go places with Margot, but not with her. It's hard to understand why her mother didn't like her. She often argued with her mother about this situation. She was so depressed and confused.

Anne's mother and father relationship wasn't as good as it could have been. Anne wrote in her diary that they were having martial problems, but her father tried to keep it a secret so no one would find out about it. They did not participate in many activities together. They were always did things with their children instead of each other. Recently five more pages wee found from Anne's diary and it seems as if they are pages that Otto Frank had took from the diary before he had it published. He didn't want anyone to see that him and his wife was having problems in their marriage.

When Anne wrote she often criticized people and herself. She liked to use imaginary names instead of real names. She wrote about things that happened throughout her day. She would not leave out anything. She could write in her diary for an extensive period of time. She had so much she wanted to write down in her diary. She would observe everything and write it down. Even though things seemed to become hard she still had to keep on going and never give up. Trying circumstances made her become more grown up than she really was. She he often wondered if she was only thirteen, because she had experienced something she had never experienced before. It seemed hard for Anne to hold on to her opinions at a time when ideals were being destroyed, when the worst side of human nature predominates when everyone has come to doubt truth, justice and God.

She had big expectations on becoming a famous writer. While in hiding she dreamed of becoming a famous writer and writing many books. She dreamed of becoming a star. She hung many pictures up in her room of famous movie stars, so she could look at them. This inspired her to want to become a famous writer even more. Anne was determined to do something great in her writings. Manheim and Mok notes during the times she was writing she kept a box of movie stars pictures in a shoe box hidden under her bed. Her parents had told her to discard it, but she never did (108). Anne would write letters to these movie stars and ask for pictures of them. They would eventually send her pictures and she would be so astonished, because they answered her back.

She had gone to a wedding of some friend of her parents, and she was thrilled over a gold ring that they had. She glanced at it with radiance in her eyes. She thought of them as movie stars instead of a wedding couple. She was overwhelmed with movie stars (Gies 76-78). She watched them and she wished it were she in their shoes. Anne was so young to have such a big imagination, especially about marriage.). It was amazing, because it seemed as if she knew she was going to get married one day.

Anne was a sickly girl. I don't know what the problem was, because she almost never had a fever, but she often stayed home in bed. It would usually last a couple of days. They figured she had rheumatic fever. Someone would always bring her homework home to her. She loved little secrets and also she loved to chat.

During the Last Seven Months of Anne Frank life she conquered some hard battles in her life. All of the family hid in the annex to try to remain saved from Hitler, but it didn't all turn out t On Tuesday, August 2, 1944 , Anne wrote her last letter to her diary. On August the SD raided the Annex at No. 263 Prinsengracht. All those who were in hiding there were arrested. Anne's own writing ends here. Her father ended up loosing his store in the process. Eventually the family was separated from each other and Mrs. Frank eventually died. Anne and her sister were transferred to a concentration camp with other women. They tried their best to survive, but they were stripped of their clothes and privacy. They were treated like dogs in the concentration camps. They were not fed the way they should have been. They couldn't not bathe themselves, and they had lice and fleas on their bodies. It was a very disrupted place to be. It was no place to be immune to.

Anne and her sister tried to comfort each other as much as possible while they were there. They became extremely close to one another. Margot begin to get sick and eventually she died, but Anne held on until her sister died. About two or three days later she contracted typhus and became sick herself. She died about three days later.
The battle for Anne her mother, and sister was over. Her father was able to survive the holocaust. It was a terrible moment for him, because all his family died except for himself. He wanted Anne to live on in the eyes of others, especially himself so he found her diary, and he published it. Her book is one of the best sellers in the United States. Her legend continues to live on our hearts and mind.

Anne was a strong and willing person and she touched our hearts in so many ways. She was a special little girl, and for her to be so young she seemed as if she was older. She didn't worry about anything she took one day at a time. She had to grow up quickly, because of the situation she was placed in. She seen so many things and she wrote it in her diary. She had no chose but to experience the things she seen, because there was no way around it.

After the holocaust was over the majority of the women knew Anne Frank and her family. Several differences exist in the accounts and viewpoints of some of the details of Anne's final seven months. Perhaps the exact historical facts are less important than record of what Anne and these women who approached the limits human endurance went through.

We as a country continue to remember many that loss their lives during the Holocaust, and many that survived. Anne who placed her mark in society with her incredible writings of the diary and many other books left a guide for many of us to follow her in many ways. For many people Anne will continue to transform our lives, and inspire our children, to become better writers. Its such a great idea for the majority of the schools to require students to read Anne books in college or high school. She has earned her place in society and will continue to grow in our hearts daily. Anne's story displays a real gift. With sensitivity and intelligence, she came to grips in imagination with a world she had no experience.

After Anne's diary was translated into English and published in America and elsewhere, it quickly became a great success. Other translations were made, and everywhere around the world people read Anne's story. A play was based on the diary, which fictionalized and dramatized the story and the characters. The play was a spectacular success. In Amsterdam the first performance was on November 27, 1956. Elli and her husband the friends of the Frank family and others were all invited to attend.

Then a movie was made. The premiere of the movie at the City Theatre in Amsterdam was on April 16, 1959. All of them were again invited. Everywhere great attention was paid to the diary.

During the Holocaust it was a difficult time for many people. The slaying of innocent people was an abomination to this country. The Holocaust summons all to preserve democracy, to fight racism and defend human rights. Innocent people were killed for no reason, with out any way to protect themselves. They were so helpless and felt useless when they couldn't save their families. It was a horrifying experience for them.

Younger children did not know what it meant to be Jewish. During the war years they learned that the Jews and they heard anti-Semitic sentiments expressed all around them. How could they gain a sense of belonging to a group with whom they do not share symbols, traditions, and values? Other traumatized groups, such as victims of incest, torture, victims, and victims of racial bigotry, do not have this kind of identity conflict (Marks, Jane 304).

Anne was not aware of the surroundings she was induced in. She was truly considered a victim. More children died than lived during the Holocaust. Some of the children survived, but Ann wasn't one of them. But, her writings will continue to live on . She left behind some extremely important materials for us always remember her by.

Work Cited

Beck, Robert C. "Applying Psychology: Understanding People." New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 19820-13-043463-9 (176).
Eisner, Jack. "The Survival of the Holocaust." New York: 1980
940-5318 (8).
Frank, Anne. "The Diary of A Young Girl." New York: 1991
940.5318 (198-207).
Garraty, John A. "The American Nation." New York: 1979
0-06-042269-6 (656-685).
Gies, Miep and Allison Gold. "Anne Frank remembered." New York: 1987 920.9 (122).
Gilbert, Martin. "Atlas of the Holocaust." New York: 1988
940.5318
Goldhagen, Daniel Jonah. "Hitler's willing Executioners." New York: 1996 940.5318
Hass, Aaron. "The Aftermath: Living With the Holocaust." New York: 1995 940.5318 (11-12).
Hilberg, Raul. "The Destruction OF the European Jews." New York: 1985 940.5315 (241-252).
Hillesum, Etty. "The Interrupted Life. " New York: 1981 940.531
Kuper, Jack. "Child of the Holocaust." Doubleday: 1967
940.531
Lagnado, Lucette Metalon and Shelis Cohn Dekel. "Children of the Flames." New York: 1991 940.5404
Lindwer, Willy. "The Last Seven Months of Anne Frank." New York: 1991 940.5318 (14-18).
Lipstadt, Deborah. "Denying the Holocaust." New York: 1993 940.53 (229-235).
Marks, Jane "The Hidden Children: The Secret Survivors of the Holocaust." New York: 1993 940.5318
Mok, Michael and Ralph Manheim. "Tales from the Secret Annex." Doubleday: 1983 838.9 (3-5).
Riess, Klee Dressen. "The Good Old Days." New York: 1988 940.5318
Rittner, Carol and John K. Roth. "Different Voices." New York: 1993 948. 5313 (3-12, 130).
Segey, Tom. "The Seventh Million." Canada: 1993 940.5318 (476-482).
Strawson, John "Hitler's Battles For Europe." Great Britain: 1971 940.54
Thomas, Lawrence Mordekhai. "Vessels of Evil." Philadelphia: 1993 940.5318 (138-147).
Webster, Paul. "Pertain's Crime." Chicago: 1990 940.5318
Weinberg, Gerhard L. "A World at Arms." New York: 1994 940.53 (512).