June 15, 1943- November 11, 1943
The Germans order everyone in Holland to hand over their radios.� The Franks have to give up the big cabinet radio in the office, but one of their helpers, Mr. Kleiman, supplies them with a small replacement, so they are still able to keep up with the news about the war from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). This enables them to keep their spirits up.
In mid-July, Anne has a big quarrel with Dussel about who is to be allowed to use the table in their room, and when. He refuses to allow her to use it two afternoons a week, but after Anne's father intervenes, he relents but does not speak to Anne for two days. She thinks he is petty and pedantic.
There is another burglary at the warehouse and two cashboxes were stolen, as well as coupons for 330 pounds of sugar, which is their entire allotment and will not be easy to replace.
Amsterdam is heavily bombed, with at least two hundred dead. On the night of July 25, there are wave after wave of air raids, leaving many fires in the city. The residents of the annex receive the news that the Italian Fascist dictator Mussolini has been overthrown and they renew their hopes that the war will be over by the end of the year.
Anne's dislike of Mrs. van Daan and Dussel increase, and during early August she amuses herself by writing in her diary an account of a typical day in their lives, from morning to night.
In early September Anne hears that the Italians have surrendered, although Italy is still under German control. But the British have landed in Naples, Italy. Set against this good news is the news that one of their helpers, Mr. Kleiman, must have a stomach operation.
As relationships in the annex continue to deteriorate, Anne takes valerian to try to relieve her anxiety and depression, but it has little effect. She writes that she has forgotten how to laugh. She is also worried that Mr. van Maaran, a man who works in the warehouse, may be getting suspicious about the annex. She says he is known to be unreliable and to have a lot of curiosity.
The Franks believe that the van Daans are cheating them by holding back meat and other things. Anne finds out that Mr. van Daan has run out of money, but Mrs. van Daan is reluctant to sell her fur coat. The van Daans quarrel fiercely over the matter.�
On November 8, Anne confesses to her diary that she is depressed and afraid. She fears that the world will never again be normal for them.
Analysis
The topics of Anne's diary may now be familiar (quarrels, dangers, moods, fear of discovery, news about the war) but Anne reveals her growing literary skill by varying the way she presents her information. She shows an ability to present events, people, conversations and thoughts in a vivid but concise style. She has a good eye for the telling anecdote, the small incident that reveals a great deal. The result is that the reader is continually entertained. An excellent example of this is Anne's entry on a� typical day in the annex (August, 4, 5 and 9, 1943), which is a gem of concision, wit and understanding.
Our Networks