In the opinion of us all, this revered gentleman has great insight into politics. Nevertheless, he predicts we’ll have to stay here until the end of ’43.

As Anne lists everyone in the Annex and their feelings on the war, she writes about Mr. van Daan first, and his entry is the longest. Even though Mr. van Daan and his wife get on Anne’s nerves throughout their years in the Annex, she and the others clearly find him intelligent and trust his opinion on important matters.

Once he’s spoken, his word is final. If anyone dares to suggest otherwise, Mr. van D. can put up a good fight. . . . Granted, the man has a good head on his shoulders, but it’s swelled to no small degree.

Earlier in her diary, Anne gave a sense of Mr. van Daan’s intelligence, but here she paints a picture of his arrogance. He often belittles Anne because of her age, and likely her gender, and as such he fails to see Anne’s maturity and intelligence.

Why don’t you shut your trap for a change? I’ll show you who’s right; someday you’ll get tired of needling me. I can’t stand your bellyaching a minute longer. Just wait, one day I’ll make you eat your words!

Here, Anne recounts a fight between Mr. and Mrs. van Daan in the style of a play. This excerpt represents the last thing Mr. van Daan says to his wife as he leaves the room. The van Daans fought often, according to Anne’s diary, yet their arguments produced laughs from the onlookers rather than concern. In a way, the van Daans provided a bit of comic relief for the Franks.

Previous section Edith Frank

Popular pages: The Diary of Anne Frank

Take a Study Break