ANNE FRANK’S DIARY OF A YOUNG ANNE FRANK’S DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRLGIRL

Background: Anne Frank was born on June 12th 1929 in Germany

& later moved to Amsterdam with her family She received a diary for her 13th 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 fromhttp://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?ModuleId=10005210

1

ANNE FRANK’S “DIARY OF A YOUNG ANNE FRANK’S “DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL”GIRL”

Lesson objectives: Identify the themes in “Diary of a Young Girl” Compose a written response (100-200 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

DEFINITION: THEMEDEFINITION: THEME

Theme = Unifying or Dominant Idea

Various themes are explored in “Diary of a Young Girl”

Read the following excerpts

Image retrieved from http://librarykvpattom.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/anne-frank.jpg

3

EXCERPT 1EXCERPT 1

“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

DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 1DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 1

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

A LIFE BEFORE HIDINGA LIFE BEFORE HIDING

Image retrieved from,http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=43&lid=2

6

ANNE’S ROOM IN HIDINGANNE’S ROOM IN HIDING 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,http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=292&lid=2

7

UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 1UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 1

Repression Definition: Having to keep under

control one’s feelings How would you feel in Anne’s

position?

8

EXCERPT 2EXCERPT 2

“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

DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 2DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 2

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 AND HER MOTHERANNE AND HER MOTHER

Anne felt her mother did not understand her

Who did Anne prefer to confide in?

Image retrieved from,http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=180&lid=2

11

UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 2UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 2

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

EXCERPT 3EXCERPT 3

“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,http://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/GALL37R/AFRANK05.HTM

13

DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 3DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 3

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

ANNE’S DIARYANNE’S DIARY

15

Images retrieved from,http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=122&lid=2http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=298&lid=2

UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 3UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 3

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

EXCERPT 4EXCERPT 4

“I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”

Anne Frank (July 15, 1944)

Image retrieved from,http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?

pid=356&lid=2

17

DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 4DISCUSSION OF EXCERPT 4

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

ANNE, MARGOT, THE ANNEXEANNE, MARGOT, THE ANNEXE

19

Images retrieved from,http://www.evgschool.org/Anne_Frank.htm

UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 4UNDERLYING THEME IN EXCERPT 4

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

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONSASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

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 100-200

words 20 minutes

21

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READINGREADING

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

WEB LINKSWEB LINKS

http://www.annefrank.com/who-is-anne-frank/

http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=2&lid=2

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?ModuleId=10005210

http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/af/htmlsite/

23

LESSON CLOSURELESSON CLOSURE

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