Chapter 2 Summary and Analysis

In chapter two, Corrie flashes back to her childhood. In 1898, she was six years old, and living with her older sisters in the Beje. Betsie, the eldest, already suffers from anemia. The family lives a simple life, preferring to help others, though the watch shop makes little money. Aunt Jans lives with Corrie, her siblings and parents. Jans lives a devoted, religious life. She eschews all new fashion and insists upon the same for the girls. Nollie rebels against such ideas when she chooses to wear a new style of hat for the first day of school. Corrie dreads her first day of school. At first, she tries to come up with a plan to stay home permanently. Her father gently convinces her to go to school.

Another dear memory from Corrie's childhood is travelling to Amsterdam by train with her...