Anne Frank

Anne Frank[2†]

Anne Frank, born as Annelies Marie Frank[1†][2†], was a German-born Jewish girl who became renowned for her diary documenting her life in hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II[1†][2†]. Her diary has since become a classic piece of war literature[1†].

Born on June 12, 1929, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany[1†], Anne Frank and her family went into hiding during the early Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler[1†]. Her father, Otto Frank, a German businessman, moved his family to Amsterdam in 1941 after German forces occupied the Netherlands[1†]. Anne was compelled to transfer from a public school to a Jewish one[1†].

On her 13th birthday, June 12, 1942, Anne received a red-and-white plaid diary[1†]. She began writing in it that day, expressing her thoughts and experiences with a depth of introspection and a level of prose that would later put her diary among the most notable pieces of literature from the war era[1†]. She wrote, "I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support"[1†].

When her sister, Margot, faced deportation, the Frank family, along with four other Jews, went into hiding on July 6, 1942[1†]. They lived in the “secret annex” of Otto Frank’s business warehouse, aided by a few non-Jewish friends who smuggled in food and other supplies[1†].

Anne’s last diary entry was written on August 1, 1944[1†]. Three days later, the annex was discovered by the Gestapo, acting on a tip from Dutch informers[1†]. Anne Frank died in February or March 1945 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, near Hannover[1†].

Her diary serves as a powerful testament to the horrors of war and the resilient spirit of a young girl navigating through unprecedented times. It continues to be a source of inspiration and a subject of study worldwide[1†][2†][3†].

Early Years and Education

Anne Frank was born as Annelies Marie Frank on June 12, 1929, at the Maingau Red Cross Clinic in Frankfurt, Germany[2†]. Her parents were Otto Heinrich Frank and Edith Holländer, and she had an older sister, Margot[2†].

In the early years of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, Otto Frank, a German businessman, moved his family to Amsterdam[2†][1†]. This was a significant change for young Anne, who was compelled to transfer from a public school to a Jewish one[2†][1†]. Otto Frank began working at the Opekta Works, a company that sold fruit extract pectin, and found an apartment on the Merwedeplein (Merwede Square) in Amsterdam[2†]. By February 1934, Edith and the children had arrived in Amsterdam, and Anne was enrolled in a Montessori school[2†].

Anne was an extrovert, outspoken, friendly, and developed a love for reading[2†][4†]. She also developed a writing habit early on but was very secretive about what she wrote, never sharing it even with her friends[2†][4†]. This love for writing would later play a crucial role in her life and the lives of many others around the world[2†][1†][4†].

Career Development and Achievements

Anne Frank’s career, though tragically short, was marked by her remarkable writing in her diary, which she received as a birthday present on June 12, 1942[1†][2†]. She began writing in it that day, expressing her thoughts and experiences with a depth of introspection and a level of prose that would later put her diary among the most notable pieces of literature from the war era[1†][2†]. She wrote, "I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support"[1†].

When Anne’s sister, Margot, was faced with deportation, the Frank family, along with four other Jews, went into hiding on July 6, 1942[1†][2†]. They lived in the “secret annex” of Otto Frank’s business warehouse, aided by a few non-Jewish friends who smuggled in food and other supplies[1†][2†]. During this time, Anne wrote faithfully in her diary, recounting day-to-day life in hiding, from ordinary annoyances to the fear of capture[1†][2†]. She discussed typical adolescent issues as well as her hopes for the future, which included becoming a journalist or a writer[1†][2†].

Anne’s last diary entry was written on August 1, 1944[1†][2†]. Three days later, the annex was discovered by the Gestapo, acting on a tip from Dutch informers[1†][2†]. Anne Frank died in February or March 1945 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, near Hannover[1†][2†].

Her diary serves as a powerful testament to the horrors of war and the resilient spirit of a young girl navigating through unprecedented times. It continues to be a source of inspiration and a subject of study worldwide[1†][2†][5†][6†]. Anne achieved posthumous fame with the 1947 publication of The Diary of a Young Girl[1†][5†][6†], which documented her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944[1†][2†][6†]. It is one of the world’s best-known books and has been the basis for several plays and films[1†][2†].

First Publication of Her Main Works

Anne Frank’s most significant work is undoubtedly her diary, which she received as a birthday present on June 12, 1942[2†][1†]. She began writing in it immediately, documenting her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944[2†]. The diary serves as a poignant narrative of life in hiding during one of the darkest periods of human history[2†][1†].

The diary was originally published in Dutch in 1947 as “Het Achterhuis” (English: The Secret Annex), and it has since been translated into over 70 languages[2†][7†]. The English version, titled “The Diary of a Young Girl”, was first published in 1952[2†][7†].

Here are some of Anne Frank’s main works:

• The Diary of a Young Girl[2†][1†]: This is the diary that Anne Frank wrote while in hiding. It documents her life from 1942 to 1944 and is one of the world’s best-known books[2†]. It has been the basis for several plays and films[2†].
• The Collected Works[2†][8†]: This collection brings together Anne’s world-famous diary, in both the version edited for publication by her father and the more revealing original, together with her letters, essays, and important contextual scholarship[2†][8†].

Anne’s diary has won both the Pulitzer Prize for the best drama and the Tony Award for the best play in 1956[2†][7†]. It remains a testament to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of profound adversity[2†][1†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Anne Frank’s diary is a profound work that offers a firsthand account of the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust[9†]. It is one of the most prevalent Holocaust narratives in circulation and has been adapted many times in an effort to achieve more widespread awareness of Anne’s experiences and the Holocaust as a whole[9†][10†].

The diary is unique because it provides a perspective that is rarely seen: that of a young girl experiencing the atrocities of the Holocaust[9†]. Anne’s diary becomes a condemnation of the unimaginable horror of the Holocaust, and one of the few accounts that describe it from a young person’s perspective[9†][11†].

Despite being a personal account of life in hiding, it is inappropriate to analyze it as a novel or other work of fiction[9†][11†]. It is a true account that records events deemed significant by Anne, making it a valuable historical document[9†][10†].

The stage play based on the diary, written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and first produced in 1955, won the Tony award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama[9†][10†]. Despite providing a historically inaccurate version of the diary’s events, the play is still a useful adaptation which effectively conveys the same motifs found in the original diary[9†][10†].

The performance element of the play creates an immersive atmosphere that allows audiences to engage with Anne Frank’s story in a more personal and emotional way than if they had simply picked up the diary and started to read[9†][10†].

Anne’s diary and its adaptations serve as a reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust, keeping the memory alive and ensuring that such horrors are not forgotten[9†][10†].

Personal Life

Anne Frank was born to Otto Frank and his wife Edith Frank-Holländer. She had one sister, Margot, who was three years older[1†]. The Franks were a liberal, middle-class Jewish family living in Frankfurt am Main, Germany[1†]. However, the rise of the Nazi regime led Otto Frank to move his family to Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the early 1930s[1†].

In Amsterdam, Anne Frank led a normal life until 1941 when the German forces occupied the Netherlands[1†]. She was then compelled to transfer from a public school to a Jewish one[1†]. Despite the increasing restrictions placed on Jews, Anne Frank’s writings reveal a spirited and playful young girl. Her diary entries provide a glimpse into her life before going into hiding - attending school, interacting with friends, and dealing with the changes around her[1†].

The Franks went into hiding in 1942 in the backroom office and warehouse of Otto Frank’s food-products business[1†]. They were joined by four other Jews - Hermann and Auguste van Pels and their son, Peter, and Fritz Pfeffer[1†]. During this time, Anne Frank formed a close bond with Peter van Pels, which she documented in her diary[1†].

Anne Frank’s life was tragically cut short when she died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp near Hannover in February or March 1945[1†]. She was just 15 years old[1†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Anne Frank’s diary, published by her father after the war, has become a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity[12†]. It offers a unique perspective into the life of a young girl experiencing the horrors of war and the Holocaust[12†]. Her diary has been translated into many languages and is used worldwide for educational purposes[12†].

Anne Frank’s legacy extends beyond her diary. She has become a potent symbol of the Nazi genocide that killed six million Jews and about five million non-Jews between 1939 and 1945[12†][13†]. Her story continues to inspire millions of people to stand up for human rights and fight against oppression[12†][6†].

Despite her tragic death, Anne Frank’s words continue to resonate with people all around the world[12†]. Her life and her diary serve as a stark reminder of the atrocities of war and the enduring human spirit[12†].

Anne Frank’s legacy is preserved by several humanitarian organizations devoted to her memory[12†]. These organizations strive to promote peace, tolerance, and human rights, reflecting the values that Anne Frank embodied in her short but impactful life[12†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Annelies Marie Frank[1†][14†]
• Born: June 12, 1929, Frankfurt am Main, Germany[1†][14†]
• Died: February/March 1945, Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, near Hannover[1†][14†]
• Nationality: German[1†]
• Occupation: Jewish diarist[1†][14†]
• Notable Works: "The Diary of a Young Girl"[1†]
• Notable Achievements: Anne Frank’s diary has become a classic of war literature[1†]. Her story is an enduring symbol of resilience and hope in the face of adversity[1†].

References and Citations:

1. Britannica - Anne Frank: German diarist [website] - link
2. Wikipedia (English) - Anne Frank [website] - link
3. History - Anne Frank - Diary, Biography & Facts [website] - link
4. The Famous People - Anne Frank Biography [website] - link
5. Short-Fact - What were the major accomplishments of Anne Frank? [website] - link
6. History Hit - Anne Frank’s Legacy: How Her Story Changed the World [website] - link
7. Literary Devices - Anne Frank [website] - link
8. Goodreads - Book: Anne Frank: The Collected Works [website] - link
9. LitCharts - The Diary of Anne Frank Study Guide [website] - link
10. dasblatt.sites.uiowa.edu - The University of Iowa - Anne Frank on Stage: Analyzing the Effectiveness of the Play [website] - link
11. SparkNotes - The Diary of Anne Frank: Full Book Summary [website] - link
12. Live Science - Anne Frank: History & Legacy [website] - link
13. National Geographic - Who was Anne Frank? Why her legacy is still fought over today [website] - link
14. National Geographic Kids - Anne Frank facts [website] - link