The Diary of a Young Girl: Key Figures

Anne Frank

The younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank, Anne is a lively, curious girl of thirteen when she begins writing her diary in 1942. As her writing reveals, she is introspective and has a vivid imagination. Notably, she received the diary as a gift for her thirteenth birthday, a gift she would call one of her “nicest presents.” Forced to stay in the confined space of the annex, Anne confides in her diary, a valuable resource that allows her to maintain her natural sense of humor and optimism even in the face of terrible adversity. The diary also enables Anne to explore her own personality and her relationships with other people.

Her diary entries show that Anne had, remarkably enough, remained optimistic and content even during those difficult times. A typical teenage girl, when she starts her diary, Anne becomes introspective and thoughtful by the end of the two years. She struggles with questions of identity, especially her status as a woman in society. She yearns for independence and seeks to retain her autonomy in the face of societal pressure. A deep thinker and an engaging writer, Anne also writes about the nature of war and humanity. It is this wisdom and maturity that make her diary one of the most famous commentaries on the Holocaust.

Otto Frank

Otto Frank was born and brought up in Frankfurt and served in the German army during the First World War. After the war, he settled in Frankfurt as an independent businessman. In 1933, along with his family, he moved to Holland to escape being persecuted by the Nazis.

Being resourceful and aware, he prepared a secret hiding place for his family when anti-Jewish laws were passed in Holland. He also shared his space with four other people and served as the group’s backbone while they were in hiding. In Anne’s eyes, Mr. Frank was a kind and thoughtful father. In fact, she calls him “the most adorable father in the world,” and wishes to be more like him.

Otto Frank was the only member of the group to survive the war.