Anne Frank's Diary REFLECTION:
Anne Frank's Diary
In 2018, previously concealed passages from Anne Frank’s diary were unveiled, shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of this remarkable document. These hidden pages, discovered during an examination of Anne’s original red-checked diary, had been obscured by adhesive brown paper. Advances in photo-imaging software allowed researchers to decipher the words beneath the paper without compromising the fragile document1.
The two pages, which Anne Frank had scribbled out more than two months into her two year hideaway from the Nazis in the secret annex behind her father’s business in Amsterdam, contained a mix of “dirty” jokes and discussions about sexual matters. Anne began one entry dated September 28, 1942, by stating, “I’ll use this spoiled page to write down ‘dirty’ jokes.” She proceeded to share a couple of ribald quips, including one about German girls in the Netherlands serving as “mattresses” for soldiers. Another joke involved a man finding a naked stranger in his bedroom closet, who claimed to be waiting for the tram1.
Beyond humor, Anne’s reflections delved into matters of changing bodies and sexual curiosity. She pondered how she would explain sexual matters if someone asked her, describing the “rhythmical movements” involved and even touching upon contraceptive methods. Anne also acknowledged grown-up topics like prostitution, noting that “all men, if they are normal, go with women,” and revealing that her father had visited such establishments in Paris1.
These pages provide a glimpse into Anne Frank’s multifaceted personality beyond her role as a Holocaust victim and diarist. They remind us that she was a teenage girl grappling with universal themes of humor, curiosity, and self-discovery, even amidst the horrors of World War II. Anne’s diary continues to resonate, revealing both the extraordinary and the ordinary facets of her life, making her legacy enduring and deeply human.
In these early pages, Anne’s diary captures both the personal and historical context of her life. Her words resonate across time, reminding us of the resilience, hope, and shared humanity that persist even in the darkest of times. Anne Frank’s diary remains a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul, urging us to remember, reflect, and learn from the past.
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