A novel for class 10- English CBSE
By Anne Frank Â
Chapter 11- Notes and Study Material
Following is the novel of CBSE class 10 – The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. All the aspects like chapter wise summary in simple words, downloadable pdf files, short story of the novel, book review, Anne Frank  Biography, Important Extra questions and Answers for SA 1 and SA 2, short Summary, main characters,  Anne Frank  autobiography, solutions of the diary of a young girl,Chapter wise Notes and Study Material, Introduction, Analysis, Understanding the Theme, main characters, Chapters in short, Conclusion and much more you will find below. Just get dive in-
Letters from 3 May 1944 – 6 June 1944
1.”I was born happy, I love people”. Explain the statement with Anne’s way of looking at life.
Ans. In the words of Anne, she explains the life “I don’t have much in the way of money or worldly possessions, I’m not beautiful, intelligent or clever, but I’m happy, and I intend to sit: that way! I was born happy, I love people, I have a trusting nature, and I’d like everyone else to be happy too.”
The best remedy for those who are afraid-lonely or unhappy- is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. This is because, only then one feels that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always be a comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. Anne firmly believes that nature brings solace in all troubles.
According to her, “There’s only one rule you need to remember: laugh at everything and forget everybody else!” As long as this exists, this sunshine and this cloudless sky, and as long as I can enjoy it, how can I be sad?”
2. News from the war front gave the residents of the Annexe, something to be happy about. Explain.                                                                                                                                       Â
Ans. The British invasion begins in this section of Anne’s diary with all of the residents of the Annex holding out hope that the end of the war would come soon and they would be liberated. Even with the new hope of liberation, Anne reports that anti-Semitism is spreading into Holland, the country she hoped would be her fatherland. She doesn’t understand why the Dutch are treating the Jews like this. Although she knows the Jews are sharing Christian secrets with the Germans, she believes the Dutch should consider that they would do the same thing if they were in the same position as the Jews. The inmates of the Annexe received the news that someone tried to kill Hitler and it was a German soldier who did it. This news from the war front gave the residents of the Annexe, something to be happy about.
3. Anne wrote, ‘One day we’re laughing at the comical side of hiding, and the next day we’re frightened and the fear, tension and despair can be read on our faces. Give two examples of each — laughter and fear from the diary entries of May 1944.
 Ans. (1) Two examples of fear are as under:
(i) The vegetable man is picked up by the police for hiding two Jews in his house. This is a big personal loss as well as the girls (Beep and Miep) can’t haul potatoes that far.
(ii) Miep is all stressed because she’s worried that the Secret Annexe crew thinks the protectors are anti-Semitic. More Dutch people are beginning to express anti-Semitism and Anne hopes that the good, righteous Dutch people will prevail over the racists.
(2) Two examples of laughter are as follows:
(i) The Van Daans have an argument about who will win the war—the Germans or the Allies. Mrs Van Daan thinks that Germans could win, which makes her husband mad. They are incredible bickerers. The Franks can’t resist laughing at the Van Daans’ silly arguments.
(ii) A little bit more humour in Anne’s gloomy life: The cat pees and misses the litter box. It leaks through the floor and down next to the potatoes. Anne is in hysterics.
4. Comment on Margot’s opinion about Peter.               Â
Ans. Being a girl of reserved nature, Maggot used to keep herself to her own business. She did not interfere with other’s matters. She had good relations with her younger sister, Anne. When she comes to know the ongoing relations between Anne and Peter Van Daan, she expressed her views about Peter to her sister through letters.
Margot wrote letters to Anne in March 1944 in which she expressed her feelings for Pete’ Van Daan. She was mature and serious. Anne doubted that Margot had any inclination toward Peter. Being elder, Peter and Margot had a lot of freedom, that Anne did not enjoy and created a confusion in her mind about Margot’s relation with Peter. In response to Anne’s letter: Margot tried to clear the doubts of Anne about her love for Peter.
She wrote to Anne that she was not jealous of her relationship with Peter. She said that she felt a little bit sorry that she had not found anyone yet with whom she could discuss her thought! and feelings. But she felt that her boyfriend should be intellectually superior to her and that was not the case with Peter. Anne shared her feelings with Peter but Margot wrote that she
could not think of Peter as a person with whom she could share a mutual confidence. Margot in her letter to Anne opined that Anne and Peter only gain by the ongoing friendship. While in her reply to Margot, Anne accepted her letter to be sweet. She hoped a sisterly affection from Margot for Peter.
5. What does Anne tell us about the condition of Jews in her diary entry of 22 May 1944?
Ans. In her diary entry May 1944, Anne discusses the change of 22 people about Jews. She criticizes the anti-smelt ism sentiment in the outside world. She says that the Christians blame the Jews for giving secrets wand for the fact that through the Jews, a great many Christians to t Germans, gone, for betraying helpers others before them, and suffered terrible punishment and dreadful fate the way of so many.
 She questions the treatment the Jews have to meet too. She expresses their views and do the things of their choice asks, have the Jews no right to
 In her diary entry she expresses her disagreement to the fact that after thaw ‘ threw of Germans from Holland, the Jews are not to be allowed to return to Holland. The Jews already had the right of asylum in Holland but now they are to be sent back to Germany again.
She expresses her sadness about people’s thinking “what one Christian does, is his own responsibility, what one Jew does, is thrown back at all Jews”.
 She evaluates the Jews as the most oppressed, the unhappiest, perhaps the most pitiful of all peoples of the whole world.
6. Anne was not too happy about Beep’s engagement. Comment.       Â
 Ans. Beep was one of the employees of Otto Frank’s firm. She had been helping those people hiding at the ‘Secret Annexe’ since the day they started living there. In her entry of May 25, 1944, Anne writes about Bep’s engagement to Bertus. The engagement news, though not a surprise, did not please any of the inmates. Anne clarifies that though Bertus was a nice, steady, athletic young man, Bep did not love him. For Anne, this was enough reason to advise her against marrying him. Again, as Anne found, while Bep was trying to get ahead in the world, Bertus was pulling her back. He was a labourer without any interests or desire to make something of him. This, Anne points out, would not make her happy. However, the engagement had to go on because of two factors. One was Bep’s sick father, who liked Bertus very much and the other was that Bep was the oldest of the family. Anne could only feel sorry for Ben and could understand her loneliness even after her marriage. Another striking thing was that the couple had not a penny to their name and nothing in the way of a hope chest, which Anne found a sorry prospect for Bep.
7. How far do you think Anne is confident about her future as a writer? Â
Ans. Anne Frank, though a young girl, proves herself to be good at expressing herself in declares. Her love for reading books and her words. Writing indeed is her hobby, as she herself willingness to put her thoughts in words, has perhaps developed her passion for writing. In one of her entries, Anne tells us that she wants to become a journalist. Though her life at the Secret Annexe and the disturbed atmosphere outside have stopped her from writing, she feels the urge to work on to realize her dreams. Anne’s strength towards achieving this comes from sharpest the fact that she is herself the best and sharp critic of her writings. She knows what she has and what she has not written well. For Anne, writing is a wonderful thing. She does not bemoan the fact that she cannot draw, but she is happy that she can write; and the best satisfaction she derives from the fact, that though she has no talent for writing books or newspaper article, she can at least write well for herself. Anne also says how grateful she is to God for giving her the gift, the possibility of developing herself and of writing, of expressing all that is in her. Anne’s an earlier attempt at writing stories, her descriptions of the ‘Secret Annexe’ in humour, have given her the confidence. Anne makes a self-appraisal by saying that there is a lot in her diary `speaks’. The advantage of her writing, as Anne points, is, that she could shake off her sorrow’ and that her courage is reborn. Further, as she thinks about her future, she hopes to become 1 great journalist or a writer so that she can recapture everything — her thoughts, her idea and her fantasies when she writes.
8. How did Anne justify being boisterous and reckless most of the time? Â
Ans. After her father advised her against visiting Peter too often, Anne decides to write a letter to him expressing her true feelings towards her parents. She makes it clear to her father that she has reached the stage where she can live entirely on her own without parental support. She points how she had spent days in bitter, hard struggles, without their moral support, that had made her feel independent, a separate individual and not in the least responsible to any of her parents. Anne further explains how they closed their eyes and ears when she was in difficulties. What she received by being boisterous were nothing but warnings. This makes Anne justify her stand of being boisterous. She says that she was only boisterous so as not to be miserable all the time. She had been reckless so as not to hear that persistent voice within her continually. In other words, she had been veiling her true feelings by her bold attitudes. Anne says she had played a comedy for a year and a half when she stayed at the `Secret Annexe’. Yet she had never grumbled, nor did she lose her courage. By being so, Anne feels, she has won the battle over her parents and she has become independent in mind and body.
9. Anne has a feeling that Jews are balancing on the edge of an abyss. Why does she feel so?
Ans. As the news of the invasion was still awaited, Anne throws light on the actual condition of the Jews. It was a great horror and a matter of regret to find that the attitude of many people towards Jews was changing. The cause of this hatred was the `betrayal’ on the part of the Jews. The Christians blame the Jews for giving away the secrets to the Germans, for betraying their helpers. Through the Jews, a great many Christians had gone the way of so many others before them. They had suffered terrible punishments and a dreadful fate. The worst effect of the attitude of the Jews was that it had given rise to anti-Semitism in circles that were never thought of before. Another fact was that the German Jews who had emigrated to Holland and were in Poland then may not be allowed to return to their land again. They once had the right to asylum in Holland, but when Hitler went off they would have to go back to Germany again. This had placed the Jews in a critical situation of balancing on the edge of an abyss. The Jew had thus once again become worth less than another. This was proved in the news of people sent to traps through the black market and through helping Jews like Mr Van Heaven, or others who had to go underground.
10. Describe Anne’s relationship with her father. What brought about a change in her feelings for him later?
Ans. Anne’s relationship with her father was very cordial. About her father, Anne said, “He is the one I look up to. I don’t love anyone in the world but him.” Anne always admires her father. She says that it is only through him that she is able to retain the remnant of family feeling. In her diary, Anne describes that her father also loves her elder sister, Margot very much.
Anne says that her father is a man of serious nature. He has the skill to adjust to the relationships and situations as per the need of time. He is able to carry all his responsibilities. He is the only member of the family in whom Anne Frank has shown her faith.
When Anne disclosed her relationship with Peter he suggested her to be careful and not to take this relationship too seriously and not to go upstairs frequently. Anne was not keeping a restraint in going upstairs. She felt his intervention in personal matters. This brought about aft change in her feelings for him. Anne wrote a letter to her father. The letter was a sort of declaration. She poured all her bitterness in it. She claimed lamed that she was not liable to anyone for her deeds but herself. Later she regretted writing this letter.
11.”Oh, I have failed miserably.” Why did Anne feel that she had failed miserably? Â
Ans. When Anne disclosed her feelings about Peter with Mr Frank, he suggested her to be careful in such a confined space like the ‘Secret AT, and to hold herself back. He advised her not to take this friendship too seriously and not toe geo’ upstairs so often. But, Anne was not keeping a restraint in going upstairs. So, her daddy was not The with her.
 Ultimately, Anne decided to write a letter to Myth he letter was a sort of declaration. She poured all her bitterness in it. She said that she t had reached a stage when she was independent. and could live entirely on her own; without motor anybody else’s support. She was not liable to anyone for her deeds but herself. Also, when she was in difficulties, no one cared for her. Mr Frank became very upset to receive Anne’s letter. He told Anne that was the most unpleasant letter he ever received so far. He further said that she had been ungrateful and unjust towards her parents who loved her and were always ready to help her. Both father and daughter cried. That was why Anne felt that she had failed miserably.
12. What did Anne and Margot like to do once the War was over? Â
Ans. Anne and Margot fervently wished that the War could be over soon. They hated hiding and missed their friends and school terribly. They hoped and wished to join the school and continue their studies normally. In one of her entries, she tells that she would like to spend a year in Paris and London, learning the languages and studying art history. She wanted to see the world and do all sorts of exciting things. She had visions of beautiful dresses and interesting people. Margot, on the other hand, had ‘bourgeois’ dreams and wanted to nurse newborns in Palestine. Whatever the dreams, both of them wished to lead long, happy lives as free individuals, without any fears. Anne, especially, wanted to be a journalist or writer, and also serve mankind in some way.
13. On disapproval of her relationship with Peter, Anne writes a letter to her father explaining her flippancy about him and her mother. What traits of her character have emerged here?
Ans. When Mr Frank suggested Anne to be careful, to hold back and not to go upstairs so often she replied in the negative. Mr Frank was not happy with Anne because she was not keeping a restraint in going upstairs. She decided to write a letter to her father. The letter was a sort of declaration. She poured all her bitterness in it. She further said that she had reached a stage when she was independent and could live entirely on her own without mother’s or anybody else’s support. She was a separate individual and not liable to anyone for her deeds but herself.
 All these show that Anne Frank was an intelligent, brave and a sensitive thinker. She was a girl of self-confidence. She was loving, expressive and always loved to enjoy freedom. Also, she was vibrant and optimistic.
 Overall, Anne was, as a person, good and lively. She could survive in tough situations.
14. When Anne told her father about Peter and herself, what was his reaction? Did she take his words kindly? Support your answer with examples from her diary entries of May 1944.
 Ans. Anne loved her father much. Among the members of her family, she found only her father with whom she could talk frankly. In her view, if anyone in the family loved her, it was her father. So, she used to discuss with him whatever she liked. Although her relationship with Peter was not hidden from her father, he was not aware of all the facts. One day, when Anne told her father about Peter and herself, he did not reply immediately. Later, he said, “No, I don’t think it’s wrong, but you must be careful Anne; you are in such a confined space here.”
He further said, “It is not really very right — here in this house; I thought that you were,’ pals. Is Peter in love ?” Anne replied in the negative. Then Mr Frank suggested Anne to ho back and not to take this friendship too seriously.
Yes, she initially took her father’s words kindly. As per diary entry on 2 May 1944, she told everything to Peter, ” he (Mr Frank) just thought we were pals; do you think that we still can be ?”
15. Describe how the rising prices of food affect the Dutch people?
 Ans. The rising prices of food affected the Dutch people adversely. The prices of such products shot up unbelievably. Half a pound of tea cost 3.50 florins. The price of a pound of coffee was 80 florins. Butter was 35 florins per pound. An egg was sold at 1.45 florins. People paid 14 florins for an ounce of Bulgarian tobacco. Everyone dealt in the black market. Every errand boy had something to offer. Baker boys got hold of some sewing silk, 0.9 florins for a thin little skin. The milkman managed to get clandestine ration cards. The Undertaker delivers the cheese. Burglaries, murders and thefts went on daily. Everyone wanted something in their empty stomachs. This was because increases in wages were forbidden. The people simply had to trick someone. The weekly ration was not enough to last for two days. The children were ill or undernourished. Everyone was wearing old clothes and shoes. A new sole costs 7.50 florins in the black market.
16. Write an account of Anne’s views on war and humanity.
Or
 Why does Anne feel that even common man is also responsible for war?                Â
 Ans. After nearly two years in the hideout, Anne and those similar to her in the hideout find themselves in a miserable position. As for Anne’s family, their ration has considerably reduced. They have nothing to eat but a cup of porridge, rotten boiled lettuce, spinach, rot potatoes, etc. Anne thus, reflects why there should be a war at all and why can’t people live peacefully together. For, she feels that it results in some people starving, while surpluses rot in other parts of the world. War also causes several millions of expenditure while not a penny is available for medical services for poor people. In this context, she writes that not only the big men, the capitalists and politicians are guilty of the war, but the little man is also just as guilty. Then she explains that otherwise, the people of the world would have risen in revolt long ago. She also points out the urge to destroy, an urge to kill, to murder and rage. Anne also opines that until all mankind, without exception, undergoes a great change, wars will be waged and everything that has been built up will be destroyed, after which mankind will have to begin all over again. In another entry, she also analyses the attitude of the Christians and Jews that has led to the terrible situation. After the war, the German Jews would not get asylum in Holland. This reality makes Anne remark that all were fighting together for freedom, truth and right but the Jews find themselves worth less than another after the war is ended.
17. What gifts did Anne’s father receive on his birthday? Â
Ans. 12 May was the birthday of Anne’s father, Mr Frank. He received a biography of the life of Linnaeus from Mr Kowhais. He got a book on nature from Mr Karle. Mr Dassel presented him, Amsterdam Fay, the water. Mr Van Dan presented him a gigantic box that was beautifully done up and almost professionally decorated. This box contained three eggs, a bottle of beer, a little box of yoghurt and a green tie. This made Anne’s pot of syrup seem rather small. Anne brought roses that smelled lovely and compared with that of Mie and Elli’s carnations. Although Elli’s carnations had no smell they were very pretty. Also, fifty fancy pastries had arrived. Mr Frank also treated the guests to spiced gingerbread, beer for the gentlemen, and yoghurt for the ladies. There was enjoyment all around. Also, Anne’s mother and father had been en married nineteen years on that day in 1944. Even, the charwoman was not in fewer spirits and the sun shone had never shone before in 1944. Anne’s horse chestnut was in full bloom, odd), covered with leaves and much more beautiful than the previous year.
18. What explanation did Anne give to her father to justify her frequent visits upstairs to meet Peter? Was her behaviour normal? Give a reasoned answer.
Ans. Anne needed a living person to whom she could pour out her heart. She found one such person in Peter. She created an image of him in her mind, pictured him as a quiet, sensitive, lovable boy, who needed affection and friendship. Anne wanted a friend who would help to put her on the right road. She proudly said, she achieved what she wanted, and, slowly but surely, she drew him towards herself.
Anne justified her friendship with Peter saying, in fact, both of them wanted someone to whom they could explain their feelings. In her letter to her father, she poured out all her angst, relating how lonely, depressed and gloomy she was since her arrival at the Annexed. It was only after meeting Peter that she found solace. She said that she had become independent and she did not feel the need to justify her actions to anyone but herself. However, she wanted her father to trust her absolutely.
Yes, her behaviour was absolutely normal. This is because man is a social animal. Everyone needs someone to whom he/she could explain his/her feelings. She was right to say that she had reached a stage when she was independent and could live entirely on her own. Also, she was living in extraordinarily difficult situations, she should have some pleasure from social interaction, although perhaps she could have been softer in her approach.
19. Her father’s reaction to her letter made Anne realize her own shortcomings. What were they? What light does this throw on her character?
Or
 What was her father’s reaction to Anne’s letter which made her realize her own shortcomings? What were they?                                                                                                                     Â
Or
 On the basis of diary entries of May 1944, explain her father’s reaction to Anne’s rebellious letter to him. What was it that brought about a change in her feelings towards her father?
Ans. Certainly, her father’s reaction to her letter made Anne realize her own shortcomings. She loved her father much. In fact, among the members of her family, she found only her father with whom she could talk frankly. Also, in her view, if anyone in the family loved her, it was her father.
Since Anne was not keeping a restraint in going upstairs, her father was not happy. She decided to write a letter to father. The letter was a sort of declaration. She poured all her bitterness in it. She said that she was a separate individual and not liable to anyone for her deeds but herself. Father was very upset to receive Anne’s letter. He told her that hers was the most unpleasant letter he ever received so far. Anne realized her shortcomings. Both the father and daughter cried. Her father’s reaction made her realize her flaws. She came to understand how her pride caused Pain to her father. She was ashamed and took it upon herself to improve her character.
20. Describe the book that Anne hated the most.               Â
Ans. The book that Anne hated the most was that of algebra. She had a great loathing for it. °he was creative and was keen in learning newer things. She was more towards literature and with a fair interest in music that diminished her interest in other subjects, that she loathed very much. She has her own ideas and principles and she felt that mathematics interfered with them.
Once, when a vase of carnations toppled over, Anne hoped that the water had ruined her algebra, book. She hated it. Inside the front cover were the names of “at least twenty girls who had it before” Anne did. It was old, yellowed, full of scribbles, cancelled words and revisions. She even thought of tearing the book to pieces once! ‘
21. What did Anne say about her parentage?
 Ans. In one of her entries, Anne talks about her parentage. Her father was born in Frankfurt to wealthy parents. His father owned a bank and was a millionaire, while his mother’s parents were prominent and well-to-do. Anne’s father, in his youth, lived luxuriously, attending parties, balls, banquets and dinners; and lived in a huge house. After his father’s death, however, most of the money was lost, but until the War, there were still a few rich relatives. Consequently, her father had a good upbringing and was well-mannered and refined. Anne’s mother’s family, though not as rich, were quite well-off. Anne relates how they listened “open-mouthed to stories of private balls, dinners and engagement parties with two hundred and fifty guests”.
