Question

Anne's relationship with her mother was never simple. What created the tension and discord? Why

Answer 1

Anne Frank was gifted a diary on her thirteenth birthday by her father, a person to whom she was very close. Among the accounts of the years to come, she also mentions a turbulent relationship which she shared with her mother, Edith Frank. Edith’s relationship with Anne was very complicated as Anne never approved of her parenting skills. Anne believed that her mother was very sentimental and critical when she wanted her to be more affectionate and accepting. Edith was usually the voice of reason and the one to diffuse fights during their stay at the annexe. Anne said that her father was nicer to her than her mother. Her father knew that there was absence of a good understanding between the mother and the daughter. He was aware that Anne disapproved of a majority of things that her mother said or suggested. Edith suffered more from this than Anne. In fact, as a mother, she was relieved to know that her daughter at least trusted her father. Anne’s mother suffered great despair when they went into hiding. Her sentimental demeanour brought her misery when she had to share a cramped space with another family in the annexe.