The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne describes how they have “food cycles” (202) in which they have nothing to eat but one type of food, like endive or spinach. She does not enjoy eating the same dish for every meal but notes that “when you’re hungry enough, you do a lot of things” (202). The “high point” is a weekly allotment of liverwurst and jam on unbuttered bread.

Anne writes that “the end of the war” seems “so far away, so unreal, like a fairy tale” (203). She reveals that her feelings for Peter have changed. Previously, “Peter filled [her] days, nothing but Peter, dreams and thoughts until Saturday night” (203). After spending the evening with the van Daans, Anne cried in bed. After that, “It was over!” (204). Anne resolves to focus on her schoolwork and personal development instead.

Anne has decided to become a journalist. At the least, she wants to be remembered after her death for something she has written. She is disappointed that she has not finished her short story, “Cady’s Life.” Still, she is not deterred: “When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived!” (204). She wonders if she will ever become a journalist or writer, but she’s determined to make it happen.