The Diary of Anne Frank Topic Tracking: Optimism

Saturday, 20 June, 1942

Optimism 1: Though the Nazi laws severely restrict her lifestyle, Anne does not despair or even complain. Even after describing how she cried upon leaving her school for the Jewish Secondary school, she still writes that everything is all right.

Sunday, 5 July, 1942

Optimism 2: Anne's father, like Anne, is also optimistic and believes in living life to the fullest while they still can. He encourages this spirit in her, telling her to live her life and not worry about when they will be going into hiding.

Saturday, 11 July, 1942

Optimism 3: Anne is cheerful and faces her situation with an optimistic attitude. She does not give up in despair, but instead moves on with her life and accepts her circumstances by making her room feel like home.

Monday, 9 November, 1942

Optimism 4: A large bag of beans splits open, spilling 50 pounds, but they do not panic or despair; instead they are able to see the humor in the situation and laugh at themselves.

Friday, 20 November, 1942

Optimism 5: Anne knows how bad the situation is outside of the Annexe, but she also knows that they must keep themselves happy to avoid falling into the trap of gloom. She recognizes that their jokes are what keep them going, and that it does no good to be miserable. She sees the light at the end of the tunnel and knows that soon the sadness will lift.

Monday, 7 December, 1942

Optimism 6: Though Miep is risking her life to hide the families, she goes beyond the call of duty to be cheerful and even brings them Christmas presents. This makes Anne very happy and hopeful.

Saturday, 1 May, 1943

Optimism 7: Despite the fact that she is in effect trapped in the Annexe, not allowed outside for fresh air and restricted in their movements and food intake, Anne realizes frequently how lucky they really are to be in hiding, compared with all of the other Jews who are being killed in concentration camps.

Tuesday, 18 May, 1943

Optimism 8: Though she has just witnessed an act of wartime violence, and heard news of more of the same, they are still able to break the tension, and laugh at each other and themselves.

Sunday, 13 June, 1943

Optimism 9: Anne's father notices and appreciates her optimistic spirit, writing an ode to it on her birthday.

Friday, 23 July, 1943

Optimism 10: They are optimistic about the end of the war, even discussing their first wishes for after the war. Anne especially has faith that they will survive.

Monday, 8 November, 1943

Optimism 11: Anne does have periods of depression, but beyond it all, she still is able to see that there is light and hope beyond the darkness of the war:

"I see the eight of us with our 'Secret Annexe' as if we were a little piece of blue heaven, surrounded by heavy black rain clouds. The round, clearly defined spot where we stand is still safe, but the clouds gather more closely about us and the circle which separates us from the approaching danger closes more and more tightly. Now we are so surrounded by danger and darkness that we bump against each other, as we search desperately for a means of escape. We all look down below, where people are fighting each other, we look above, where it is quiet and beautiful, and meanwhile we are cut off by the great dark mass, which will not let us go upwards, but which stands before us as an impenetrable wall; it tries to crush us, but cannot do so yet. I can only cry and implore: 'Oh, if only the black circle could recede and open the way for us!'" Monday, 8 November, 1943, pg. 103

Monday, 27 December, 1943

Optimism 12: Though they are risking their lives even hiding the families, Miep and the others go beyond the call of duty to include them in their holiday celebrations. Anne especially appreciates these holiday celebrations, and they keep her in good spirits, giving her something to look forward to.

Wednesday, 12 January, 1944

Optimism 13: Throughout the bad circumstances of the war and of having to hide, Anne holds fast to her faith in God and her belief that good things will happen to her. She thanks God for sending Peter as a helper.

Saturday, 15 January, 1944

Optimism 14: Anne does not bemoan her circumstances, but focuses on how she wants to make the best of their situation while the war continues. She anticipates the best case scenario, which includes living through the war and becoming a young woman.

Thursday, 3 February, 1944

Optimism 15: Anne experiences a dip in her optimism, but still, she is able to place her trust in luck and her hard work.

Wednesday, 23 February, 1944

Optimism 16: Anne's love of nature and having Peter as a companion keep her happy and in good spirits:

"When I looked outside right into the depth of Nature and God, then I was happy, really happy. And Peter, so long as I have that happiness here, the joy in nature, health and a lot more besides, all the while one has that, one can always recapture happiness.

"Riches can all be lost, but that happiness in your own heart can only be veiled, and it will still bring you happiness again, as long as you live. As long as you can look fearlessly up into the heavens, as long as you know that you are pure within, and that you will still find happiness." Wednesday, 23 February, 1944, pg. 143

Tuesday, 7 March, 1944

Optimism 17: Anne recognizes that she has improved herself since being in the Secret Annexe, and believes that it is better to be optimistic than to be miserable:

"I've found that there is always some beauty left-in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you. Look at these things, then you find yourself again, and God, and then you regain your balance. And whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery!" Tuesday, 7 March, 1944, pg. 152

Sunday, 19 March, 1944

Optimism 18: Peter's companionship makes her very happy, for he notices her cheerfulness, and Anne anticipates more wonderful times with him in the future.

Friday, 31 March, 1944

Optimism 19: Although the political situation is bad, Anne is still happy because she has found companionship in Peter, and she still retains her religious faith and optimism. She thanks God for bringing him into her life.

Tuesday, 4 April, 1944

Optimism 20: Anne's optimism comes in part from the goals which she hopes to achieve once they are out of hiding, such as being a journalist. She always sees the best possible future for herself. She wishes to surpass the standard female role and to have a career as well as a family, unlike her mother and Mrs. Van Daan.

Tuesday, 11 April, 1944

Optimism 21: Anne has faith that God with raise Jews out of the suffering, as God has done before, and that one day, all people will learn from the Jews. She has faith that she will achieve the goals that she sets for herself, for she has already surpassed the achievements of her mother.

Friday, 14 April, 1944

Optimism 22: Anne recognizes that her optimism comes from the work she does and from her courage. She also recognizes that things are only as bad as one thinks they are, and that unlike her, the other people in the Secret Annexe are grumpy and dissatisfied, for she makes a conscious effort to keep herself in good spirits.

Wednesday, 3 May, 1944

Optimism 23: Anne believes that although humanity will destroy itself, it will be redeemed and start again. She recognizes her own optimism; that she can laugh because she has kept her spirits high and has never despaired.

Friday, 26 May, 1944

Optimism 24: Even at the lowest point, when they are all restless, Anne writes about how they still love life and have hope. They do not give up and let themselves fall into depression but come together and try to make the best of their situation.

Tuesday, 6 June, 1944

Optimism 25: Anne is so hopeful about the end of the war that she imagines returning to school in the fall.

Thursday, 6 July, 1944

Optimism 26: Anne notices the contrast between her optimistic, self-improving nature, and Peter's lack of motivation to improve himself. She works so hard at self-improvement that his weakness frustrates her.

Saturday, 15 July, 1944

Optimism 27: Anne has faith that the cruelty of war will end and that peace will return.