The Secret Journals of Anne Frank: What Else Did She Write?
Anne Frank's diary is one of the most poignant and influential accounts of life during the Holocaust. Known simply as "The Diary of a Young Girl," it offers a vivid window into the thoughts and feelings of a young girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II. However, Anne's writing extends beyond her famous diary. Let's delve into the other works that Anne Frank created and the secret journals that reveal additional facets of her literary talents.
Beyond the Diary: Anne's Short Stories
Besides her diary, Anne Frank also wrote a series of short stories and fables. These stories were compiled in a notebook she titled "Tales from the Secret Annex." While hiding in the annex, Anne found solace in literature and writing. Her short stories often touched on themes that were important to her, such as freedom and the human spirit's resilience. In "Eva's Dream," for instance, Anne explores the life and aspirations of a young girl much like herself, imagining a life beyond the confines of her hidden existence.
"Every child has to raise itself eventually... regardless of parents, friends, community or peers." - Anne Frank, Tales from the Secret Annex
Her Unfinished Novel
Anne had ambitions of becoming a celebrated writer, and she embarked on an ambitious project apart from her diary. She started an unfinished novel titled "Cady's Life," about a girl who faces challenges growing up but remains optimistic. The novel, although incomplete, showcases her narrative skills and her deep understanding of human nature. This work further proves that Anne had a unique talent for storytelling, even at such a young age.
The Secret Diaries
While the published diary of Anne Frank is well-known, there exist other, lesser-known iterations and secret entries that were not included in the initial publication. Anne revised her original diary in 1944, intending to publish it after the war. During this revision, she made more detailed annotations and rewrote significant portions of her original entries, which she felt were not up to her standards.
These secret revisions revealed Anne's critical eye and her aspiration for perfection in her writing. Additionally, these revisions contained more candid expressions of her feelings towards her family, friends, and other inhabitants of the secret annex.
Essays and Personal Reflections
Anne also wrote various essays and personal reflections during her time in hiding. These pieces provided her insights into the world around her and her philosophical musings on life, human nature, and the war. For instance, in an essay titled "Give!" Anne discusses the importance of charity and selflessness, highlighting the irony of such virtues in a world filled with so much cruelty.
"In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit." - Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
Another essay, "The Backward Look," was a reflection on the vast changes that had occurred since the start of the war and its impact on her personal growth and her outlook on life.
Conclusion
The surviving works of Anne Frank constitute more than just a historical artifact; they are a testament to the enduring spirit of a young girl whose voice resonates through time. Her diaries, stories, essays, and reflections offer a broader understanding of her as an individual and writer. The secret journals, unpublished works, and revisions further illuminate Anne's aspirations and innate talent. In exploring these lesser-known writings, we gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of Anne Frank—not just as a teenage girl hiding during wartime, but as an insightful and aspiring young author whose words continue to inspire and move generations.
