Anne Frank wrote in her diary, "You only get to know people when you've had jolly good row with them. Then and then only can you judge their true...

On Monday, September 28, 1942, Anne writes about the fight she had with Mrs. Van Daan. Anne feels as though the adults in the attic have been using her as the subject of all of their "discussions" (which are really arguments), critiquing her appearance, manners, and character. Anne writes, "Kitty, if only you knew how I sometimes boil under so many jibes and jeers" (page 33).

In discussing Mr. Frank's obvious modesty, Mrs. Van Daan...

On Monday, September 28, 1942, Anne writes about the fight she had with Mrs. Van Daan. Anne feels as though the adults in the attic have been using her as the subject of all of their "discussions" (which are really arguments), critiquing her appearance, manners, and character. Anne writes, "Kitty, if only you knew how I sometimes boil under so many jibes and jeers" (page 33).

In discussing Mr. Frank's obvious modesty, Mrs. Van Daan says that she is also modest, which Anne disagrees with to herself. Mr. Van Daan tells Anne not to be too unassuming, and Anne's mother agrees. Mrs. Van Daan rabidly opposes what they say and thinks it's awful that they've told a girl not to be modest. Mrs. Frank calmly tells Mrs. Van Daan that it's better for some people to stick up for themselves and not be modest, and she includes Mrs. Van Daan in this group of more aggressive people. While Mrs. Frank is calm, Mrs. Van Daan turns red in the face and unleashes what Anne calls "a lot of harsh German, common" (page 34). Anne thinks that Mrs. Van Daan has exposed her true self in this argument, as she has shown that she is coarse and vituperative when challenged.