The Diary of a Young Girl: Summary and Analysis

June 12–July 5, 1942: Summary

Anne begins writing on her thirteenth birthday, June 12, 1942. She has just received the diary as a birthday present, which she claims is the “nicest” of all birthday presents. She then goes on to describe the day and the presents she received in detail. Anne describes her feelings about her boyfriends and girlfriends, her school, and her teachers at the Jewish Lyceum. She lists what she considers their good and bad qualities.

In the next entry, Anne is in a more sombre mood, and refers to her diary as a confidant. Although she has many friends, she finds herself longing for that “one true friend” with whom she can share her thoughts and feelings. Expecting the diary to fill this void, she creates an imaginary friend to write to who she names “Kitty.” She even introduces herself to Kitty, giving the diary a brief background about herself and her family: she mentions her birth in Frankfurt, Germany, and her family’s immigration to Holland after Hitler’s rise to power and his subsequent persecution of the Jews.

Anne writes about the anti-Jewish laws of her time in a very matter-of-fact tone: “Jews must hand in their bicycles: Jews are banned from trains and are forbidden to drive. Jews are only allowed to do their shopping between three and five o’clock, and then only in shops which bear the placard ‘Jewish Shop,'” and so on. She, however, also states that “life went on in spite of it all,” and “things were still bearable.” Anne is deeply affected by her grandmother’s death in 1941 and spends most of her time thinking about her. Even amidst the uncertainty and fear, Anne says, “the four of us are still doing well.”

In the next entry, Anne talks a bit about the Ping-Pong club she starts with four of her girlfriends. She also briefly discusses boys’ attempts at flirtations with her. Readers also learn that grades are about to be issued at Anne’s school; she is somewhat concerned about her grades in math, as she is particularly prone to talking too much in math class.

On July 5, Anne mentions that she feels sad for her father because he is no longer needed at work. Anne’s father informs her that the family will soon have to take to hiding if they are to avoid being sent to concentration camps. He also reminds her that they had been preparing for this, and that she should not worry but enjoy the “carefree life” while she can.

June 12–July 5, 1942: Analysis

In these early entries, Anne fills the pages with issues that tend to preoccupy the mind of any fresh teenager: friends, teachers, and boys. She’s a lively girl who likes to chat and has many friends; however, she still feels she has not made any “real friends” in whom she can confide. Anne comes across as a deep-thinking and rather lonely individual.

Her descriptions of the anti-Jewish laws and the political upheavals around her show that she is aware of and worries about the Nazi oppression. At the same time, her reports of these events are quite hopeful and optimistic. Though her optimism is often challenged, she manages to remain positive throughout those two years. She chooses to focus on the beautiful and meaningful rather than on what is wrong with the world outside.