Pin Pointing Change-Anne Frank

As I was reading, I completely stopped short at this one part. For approximately two pages I was really amazed at how much Anne has changed throughout this book and furthermore throughout her life. She reflects upon 1942 before she went into hiding when she was always carefree; she used to be constantly surrounded by 'friends' but realizes that they were really admirers, and she would rather have true friends than phony admirers. That she would rather have "[p]eople who respect [her] for [her] character and [her] deeds, not [her] flattering smile" (210). To be able to come to that conclusion takes great maturity and insightfulness into human nature--something Anne didn't have when she first began confiding in her journal. She goes on to reflect on how in 1942 she would try to enjoy herself as much as possible but inevitably, consciously as well as subconsciously, attempted "to fill the void [that was inside her] with jokes" (210). Here Anne is able to find fault within herself; to look back on yourself and reach an inference as deep as that, for me, is just mind-boggling. As a person--on all levels including mentally and physiologically--Anne has made a full 180 twist over the course of writing in her diary.