Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
Shae Call
Shae Call
Category A-Critical
Option D
Look at the issue of identity—class, gender, race, nationality, religion, etc—in the text. Conduct a close reading of one passage and analyze its representation of/ engagement with one of these key aspects of identity.
“Who has made us Jews different from all other people? Who has allowed us to suffer so terribly up until now? It is God who has made us as we are, but it will be God, too, who will raise us up again. Who knows? It might even be our religion from which the world and all peoples learn good, and for that reason and only that reason do we suffer. We can never become just Netherlanders or just English or representatives of any country for that matter. We will always remain Jews, but we want to, too.” – April 11, 1944
The Jews have been referred to as the chosen people of God. Judaism teaches God has a special plan for his people. Anne knew that even though times were bad, they would get better because it was written that God would bring his people (Israelites/Jews) out of suffering and into the promised land. This particular passage showed the faith Anne had in God’s plan for her future, “It might even be our religion from which the world and all peoples learn good, and for that reason and only that reason do we suffer.” Judaism affirms the inherent goodness of the world and its people as a creation of God. This, I believe, is why Anne tried to see the best in the situation.
Her identity as a young Jewish girl remained strong in the Jewish belief that God will one day gather up, resurrect and rebuild their people (as stated in Leviticus). When she began her diary she questioned the Jewish motives of her mother, “Why is she making me act so religious and devout?” Her faith in a God who is merciful and just began to increase as she got older and was reflected in her later writing. Jewish belief is also founded on the idea that belief comes out of actions. Proclaiming her faithfulness by standing by the convictions of her religion and not denying her faith during a time of tribulation is how she chose to actively portray her religious identity. She left a touching legacy that lived on through her diary. Its message of perseverance in the face of persecution remains timeless.
I see that as a huge reason why her diary was published, Shae. How inspiring for a young girl in hiding to be so optimistic. She had many low points throughout, but was optimistic overall because of this.
ReplyDeleteI think the belief in the "inherent goodness of the world" is a key principle that Anne draws on throughout her diary. Whether it is dealing with the members of the "Secret Annexe" or listening to what is going on in the war, Anne is unwavering in her belief that people are always trying to do what is best and even though they may be misguided sometimes, they always have their reasons.
ReplyDeleteHi Shae,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your core argument that it is Anne's religious identity that enables her to see the good in humanity and have hope for the future. There is some sad irony in that as her religious identity is also what makes her a target for suffering. It is worth wondering how the diary would be received if Anne, like Peter, had lost her faith or no longer believed its core tenets. We seem to believe there is a nobility in suffering for your faith. Would we believe the same about suffering for a faith you do not really believe in or enact? On a language level, I notice that your quotations are often integrated with comma splices. This can easily be fixed by including an attributive tag before you drop a quote in. For example, Anne questions her mother's religious devotion when she asks, "Why...."