Atrocity Accounts

Atrocity Accounts

During the Holocaust many non-Aryans suffered; however, the eight in the secret annex can be considered quite fortunate compared to others. The Diary of Anne Frank by Francis Godrich and Albert Hackett tells of a time during WWII in which eight Jews hide in a secret annex in the top floors of a warehouse in Amsterdam. Eventually, after 25 months in hiding, their whereabouts are known and they are arrested and are sent to concentration camps where all but one die. Two of these eight are teenagers, Anne and Peter. Anne is clever, thoughtful, and relieved, while Peter is shy, hesitant, and clumsy.

Early in the days of hiding, Anne is restless and decides to get Peter's attention and announces that Peter has a friend in his room. Peter is horrified and says, "All right Mrs. QuackQuack" (231) and Anne retaliates with by saying, "You're the most intolerable, insufferable boy I've ever met!" (232). Because Anne is rarely criticized, she lashes out at peter hoping to stifle him. Anne refuses to back down and continues to act childish. Unfortunately Peter doesn't remain shy. Instead he turns on Anne and says, "Quack, Quack, Quack, and from now on stay out of my room" (232). Peter's short temper is a surprise to Anne who trips him as he leaves the room. Currently, the two are argumentative and irritate one another at every opportunity, causing tension in the secret annex during these early years in hiding.

Although before they were fighting Anne is now tolerant of Peter and gives him a present, a second hand safety razor, in the spirit of the holiday. In a lighthearted comment Anne says, "And this is yours... from Mrs. QuackQuack... well open it... aren't you going to open it" (252). Anne forgives Peter for the Mrs. QQ event and refers to it with good humor. Anne is now more forgiving and is making positive overturns for friendship. Since they have an unstable relationship Peter is hesitant of receiving Anne's present in fear of harm or humiliation and remarks, "I'm scared to. I know something is going to jump out at me" (252). Peter is the most common victim of Anne's jokes and is now hesitant and aware of her. At present they are not mortal enemies but Anne and Peter are still clashing from time-to-time.

As time