In Anne’s eyes, Mr. Frank is one of the kindest, smartest, most gentle and thoughtful fathers imaginable. He almost always supports Anne and frequently takes her side during family arguments. He is generous, kind, and levelheaded, while the other adults in the annex can be stingy, harsh, and emotional. Unlike Mr. Dussel, for example, Mr. Frank always tries to save the best food for the children and takes the smallest portion for himself.

Anne feels a special closeness to her father, since she sees herself as more similar to him than to her mother or sister. Anne continually tries to impress her father, live up to his expectations, and obey his wishes. However, when she begins a close relationship with Peter, her father deems it inappropriate, and he asks her to stop visiting Peter in the upstairs part of the annex. Anne is very hurt that her father is so conservative, protective, and secretive about sexuality, and she is upset that he does not approve of her relationship. Out of respect for her father and in an attempt to please him, Anne begins to spend less time with Peter.

Otto was a smart, resourceful, and caring father, as well as a talented businessman. He had a strong character and was clearly the head of the Frank household. The only resident of the annex to survive the war, Otto remained in Auschwitz until it was liberated by Russian troops in 1945. He returned to Holland, where he receives Anne’s diary. He remained in Holland until 1953, when he moved to Basel, Switzerland, to join his sister’s family. He married another Auschwitz survivor and devoted the rest of his life to promoting Anne’s diary.

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