faced. Her sense of self-awareness—learning to know herself and understand her feelings—showed a great deal of maturity.

She notes:

I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart.

This shows Anne's desire to know herself. In order to make the experience more than just a collection of facts, she personifies the book as if it is a person.

While other young teens might be childish in facing the difficulties of the Jews, Anne is not. She describes the extensive limitations placed on the Jews, from wearing yellow stars, to shopping in specificied shops only between three and five, not being allowed out after a certain time at night, and forbidden to go to theaters or swimming pools (among many other things)—but Anne does not complain.

So we could not do this and were forbidden to do that. But life went on in spite of it all...Our freedom was strictly limited. Yet things were still bearable.

Also, as a youngster, she not only likes classical music, but it moves her soul. It would seem one must be quiet and more mature to be able to appreciate that kind of music to that depth:

I enjoyed it all very much, but especially the "Kleine Nachtmusik." I can hardly listen in the room because I'm always so inwardly stirred when I hear lovely music.

Anne has a strong sense of what is important. She is not interested in toys or frivolous things. However, when it is suggested that they burn her diary, she speaks up:

Not my diary; if my diary goes, I go with it!

As one of the adults, Mrs. VanDaan is frightened that they might have been discovered, Anne (the youngster) comforts her companion:

There is no object in recounting all the conversations that I can still remember; so much was said. I comforted Mrs. Van Daan, who was very scared.

While most thirteen years old would have had no need to be so grown up so quickly, and perhaps would not even know how to to reach that point, Anne reaches deep within and faces what life delivers to them without hysteria and tears.