Anne Frank Character Analysis in The Freedom Writers Diary

Anne Frank became known for her diary, The Diary of Ann Frank, which recounts the two years she spent hiding with her family during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. As Jews living in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands, the Franks were forced to go into hiding in the building where Anne’s father worked. Anne and her family were later arrested by the Gestapo (the German secret police) and sent to concentration camps, which only Anne’s father survived. In its powerful account of persecution and injustice, as well as in its embrace of hope, Anne’s diary has a powerful impact on Ms. Gruwell’s students, making them acutely aware of the horrors of the Holocaust and ethnic hatred in general.

Anne Frank Character Timeline in The Freedom Writers Diary

The timeline below shows where the character Anne Frank appears in The Freedom Writers Diary. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...She chooses the diaries of two adolescent girls of the same age as her students, Anne Frank and Zlata Filipović, because she believes her students will be able to relate to... (full context)

...books about change, she felt guilty and hypocritical. She compares her situation to that of Anne Frank, except that she is the one hurting herself. She wonders if she will ever... (full context)

This student reflects that she has a lot in common with Anne Frank and Zlata Filipović. Like these two young girls, she feels trapped in a cage:... (full context)

As Ms. Gruwell’s class compares Zlata Filipović’s experience of war in Bosnia with Anne Frank’s life during the Holocaust, this student realizes that, like Zlata, s/he too saw her... (full context)

...California, Ms. Gruwell plans for the historical figure to come meet her students. Gies was Anne Frank’s father’s secretary and was responsible for finding Anne’s diary. To prepare for this visit,... (full context)

...of whom ultimately died in concentration camps, she realizes that Gerda’s experience is similar to Anne Frank’s, as both girls lost their innocence when they were confronted to the hatred and... (full context)

...like s/he belongs there, so that s/he will not be attacked. S/he learns directly from Anne and Gerda’s survival strategies, as well as from their deep messages of tolerance. (full context)

...this student concludes that she is her/his new hero. Miep told the students about hiding Anne Frank and her family and, later, trying to bribe the officers into letting them go... (full context)

...merely did what she knew was right. When she tells the students to not let Anne Frank’s death be in vain, this student realizes that Miep and Ms. Gruwell are communicating... (full context)

...on her, and that she has not forgotten them. She also describes her relationship with Anne Frank, much of which demonstrates her own courage and generosity. Ms. Gruwell is impressed by... (full context)

...same kind of moral responsibility that Miep Gies described when talking about her involvement with Anne Frank. John Tu donates thirty-five computers to the class so that the entries can be... (full context)

When the class meets Anne Frank’s best friends, Jopie and Lies, this student feels guilty for not having volunteered to... (full context)

...This student identifies with Miep because, in the same way that Miep still thinks of Anne, s/he, too, cannot stop thinking about one of her/his friends who died, and wants to... (full context)

At the end of Christmas vacation, Ms. Gruwell receives a call from the Anne Frank Center USA telling her that the Freedom Writers have won the Spirit of Anne... (full context)

...Freedom Writers’ trip to Washington, someone suggested that their next step should be to visit Anne Frank’s attic. As a result, after graduation, the group makes plans to go to Europe.... (full context)

...During their trip to Europe, where they visit historic sites such as Auschwitz, Sarajevo, and Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam, they light a candle for their late friend at every one... (full context)

...this book might inspire the reader to join the chain of literary inspiration that links Anne Frank, Zlata Filipović, the Freedom Writers and, finally, the readers themselves. (full context)