The Diary of Anne Frank - Essay Example

Anne’s room considered her haven and recluse, could be described as long and narrow with unframed pictures posted on one wall, right above a small table that rests her diary and which she uses as a means to express her feelings, emotions, and sentiments on the family’s trying situation. As indicated, after four months of hiding in the Annex, Anne had to share the tight and stuffy room with Fritz Pfeffer, a man Anne eventually described as irritatingly arrogant and selfish. A simple, detachable silver lamp was strategically clasped by the right side of the table to provide illumination at night. Two single beds were tried to fit into the cramped room to provide rest and sleep to the occupants.

Another crucial and relevant room within the secret annex was the family room, the room occupied by the Van Pels family. As disclosed, before the room became part of the hiding place, it was a laboratory with a sink and stove. Therefore, it was used as a kitchen, dining space, and communal living room. The most vivid memories of Anne was her lowest remembrance of the worst food being served from the kitchen entered on the 14th of March, 1944 as she quipped: “Food is so scarce that the Secret Annex members are now resorting to eating rotten food, in this case, kale that has been in the barrel for a year” (Frank: March 14, 1944: 1). She was noted to have to put a handkerchief over her nose to prevent her from smelling the rotten and stinking aroma of spoiled eggs and brine that were cooked. When war prevailed and led the family to lose opportunities and resources to avail of varied food choices, Anne remarked that they had to be content with the same meal over and over again for weeks and months. The taste of potatoes, spinach, lettuce, and beans could easily be anticipated even before serving.

The attic and a loft were vividly illustrated as food storage and an opportunity for Anne to view the chestnut tree and to write. Apparently, due to it being used as storage for food, the members in hiding heard noises from the attic. Initially, they thought that a burglar could have inched his way through; only to find out that rats were the culprit. The attic was described by Anne as a source of illumination and strength by giving her the view of the sky, the moon, and the chestnut tree, even in its barest offers. Accordingly, in her diary entry on February 23, 1944, she marveled at the beautiful weather, which was enough to make her happy and elated.

Finally, the façade or the entry to the main building was described by Anne intricately by identifying the large warehouse on the ground floor. She succeedingly narrated the location of the main office; passages and alcoves leading to other offices, the prime office which she detailed as first class and elegant with mahogany furniture, radio, and fancy lamp. Other floors were also described, specifically one that led to the secret opening: a bookcase that covers the hidden door leading to the secret annex. The main building effectively covered the secret annex and it was not until after more than two years in hiding that Anne and her family and friends were discovered and subsequently arrested.

The essay was able to provide a vivid description of Anne’s hiding place in terms of expounding on the different rooms, starting from Anne’s bedroom, the communal room, the attic, and the main building; and using the five senses to highlight details, as required. Despite the narrow space, the secret annex was able to hide eight people and provided the needed protection, when danger was most eminent. However, in hindsight, the outcome is known and led to Anne Frank’s rise to popularity due to her innate talent and keen ability to describe their travails in detail which enabled the world to appreciate the experience and commemorate her courage and bravery at such a tender age.