Background:  Anne Frank was born on June 12 th 1929 in Germany & later moved to Amsterdam with her family  She received a diary for her 13 th birthday  Anne and her family went into hiding for almost two years until they were arrested by the Nazis  Anne died in the Bergen-Belsen camp in March, 1945  Her diary survived and was later published by her father. Image retrieved from 1

Lesson objectives:  Identify the themes in “Diary of a Young Girl”  Compose a written response ( words) discussing ONE theme  You may choose which excerpt you wish to discuss  OR identify and discuss any other theme that you feel is relevant  Be ON-TASK 2

 Theme = Unifying or Dominant Idea  Various themes are explored in “Diary of a Young Girl”  Read the following excerpts Image retrieved from frank.jpg frank.jpg 3

“I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I’m free…Just imagine what would happen if all eight of us were to feel sorry for ourselves or walk around with the discontent clearly visible on our faces.” Anne Frank (December 24, 1943) 4

 Context: Nazi persecution has forced Anne into hiding with seven other people in the Secret Annexe  How does Anne feel?  Study the following photographs 5

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 Imagine being cooped up in this room at length  Imagine sharing it with an adult  How would you feel?  How did Anne feel? Image retrieved from, 7

 Repression  Definition: Having to keep under control one’s feelings  How would you feel in Anne’s position? 8

“I need my mother to set a good example and be a person I can respect, but in most matters she’s an example of what not to do.” Anne Frank (January 6, 1944) 9

 Context: Anne has always been closer to her father than her mother  What is Anne’s age when she wrote this entry?  Describe Anne’s feelings  Study the following photograph 10

 Anne felt her mother did not understand her  Who did Anne prefer to confide in? Image retrieved from, 11

 Adolescence  Transition period between puberty and adulthood  Anne had to grow up in a restrictive environment  She was deprived of contact with her peers  Vented her anger and frustration on her mother 12

“I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death!” Anne Frank (April 5, 1944) Image retrieved from, 13

 Context: Anne feels like there are two Anne’s within her – the ‘mean’ Anne and the ‘nice’ Anne  Why do you think Anne faces an identity problem?  How did Anne find her identity? 14

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 Self-identity  Awareness of one’s self as a separate individual  Her diary entries reflect Anne’s quest for a sense of identity  Anne matures into a confident young woman with a strong identity of her own 16

“I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.” Anne Frank (July 15, 1944) Image retrieved from, 17

 Context: This was one of the final significant entries in Anne’s diary  Despite everything, Anne maintained hope and optimism  How does this excerpt reflect on Anne as a person? 18

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 Optimism  To look on the favorable side of events  Despite all her suffering, Anne chose to believe in the good in people  Do you share Anne’s optimism? Explain your views 20

 Choose one diary excerpt  Write a response  Discuss the theme and your views on it  OR, identify and discuss any other theme relevant to Anne’s story  One paragraph, between words  20 minutes 21

 Children in the Holocaust and WW II: Their Secret Diaries – Laurel Holliday  We Are Witnesses: Five Diaries of Teenagers Who Died in the Holocaust – Jacob Boas  The Diary of Petr Ginz – Petr Ginz 22

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 We discussed the themes in “Diary of a Young Girl”  We looked at 4 excerpts from Anne’s diary  You wrote a response to ONE theme 24