Anne Frank's diary is written and set in Amsterdam, Holland during the
World War II years of 1942 - 1944. Anne's family (the Franks) and the
van Daans are Jews hiding in a small area of two to three rooms, with
a single window, located in the attic of an office building in Nazi occupied
Amsterdam; Anne refers to it as the secret annexe". For two years,
these close quarters serve as a shelter and protection for the families
against the Nazis.
Anne Frank
A young German Jewish girl who writes a diary of her experiences
during World War II. From the age of thirteen to fifteen, Anne is in hiding
from the Nazis and records her feelings about her trying circumstances
and her fears about the war and being captured.
Margot Frank
Anne's sister, who is three years older. She is considered to
be more beautiful, intelligent, and talented than Anne.
Otto Frank
Anne's father and the only ultimate survivor of the group in
hiding. He is a resourceful German Jewish businessman who tries unsuccessfully
to save his family from Nazi capture by moving them to Amsterdam. Anne
is very close to him and loves him dearly.
Mrs. Frank
Anne's mother. Anne thinks that she is argumentative and overly
critical; as a result, she does not feel close to her.
Note: Regarding the van Daan family name: The actual name of the family
was van Pels, but for privacy concerns, all others in the diary were assigned
pseudonyms.
Mr. van Daan
Otto Frank's Jewish associate who stays in hiding with the Franks,
along with his wife and son.
Mrs. van Daan
The wife of Mr. van Daan and mother of Peter. She is a quarrelsome
woman whom Anne does not really like.
Peter van Daan
The van Daans' son. A teenager of about fifteen years of age,
he becomes Anne's sweetheart, even though he is shy and quiet.
Mr. Dussel
A Jewish man who joins the Franks in hiding and shares a room
with Anne. In his late fifties, he is a dentist by profession and bossy
by nature.
Elli
A young typist at the office who is friendly with the ladies
in hiding and who helps provide them with supplies.
Miep
A young Dutch lady who also helps the Jews in hiding by supplying
food and other necessities. Because she always tries to cheer them up,
everyone is very fond of her.
Henk
Miep's fiancé who seems to be working with some anti-Nazi
underground group.
Mr. Koophuis
Otto Frank's friend and business partner who is a great support
to the van Daans and Franks.
Mr. Kraler
A Dutch gentleman who takes responsibility for the group in the
secret annex. He works in the office in front of the hiding place and
does most of the under the table work for the Jews.
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on A Long Way Gone".
TheBestNotes.com.
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