In these chapters, Anneke moves out of the Barracks’ bunk-houses and into a small house. Still in the concentration camp, she sees a patrol of Nazis coming near. They target three men and end up hanging them. This was because “one man didn’t tip his hat when a Nazi officer passed. One tried to smuggle a letter to his wife. And one stole a potato.” Anneke is upset and deeply saddened by this unjust display. No matter how much Anneke tries to weed out the hardships of the camp, they always come back to remind her. This is one of the ways that the author portrays the claustrophobic feeling of the Holocaust - the feeling that there is no escape.
Anneke also meets and has an emotional encounter with a boy named Franticek Halop. Although he has had many partners and a girlfriend, Franticek dismisses his actions as "animal things" (78). He is "not proud of it, but a person...well, a person has to survive. And in a place like this, sometimes a person has to take what he can get. Just to feel alive" (79). He declares his love to Anneke as real and true, and they share a passionate first kiss. He gives her his leather neckpiece to remember him by. Only then after does Anneke find out that Franticek is to be transported into another camp the very next day. They may never meet again.
Because of this, Anneke shows substantial character development. Being young and inexperienced, she is confused by her feelings of attraction towards Franticek. She gets feelings of discovery in the heat of the moment. An experience with a first love at a young age is an unforgettable moment, but she tries not to think about it too much, as there is nothing she can do to advance or change anything at this point in time.
Hannelore, Anneke's best friend, also finds and old skirt for sale in one of the shops. She is very excited about it, and consoles with Anneke about whether or not to buy it. She ends up purchasing it, but Anneke feels sad about it because she knows that the Nazis shouldn't have even taken away their belongings in the first place.
Because of this, Anneke shows substantial character development. Being young and inexperienced, she is confused by her feelings of attraction towards Franticek. She gets feelings of discovery in the heat of the moment. An experience with a first love at a young age is an unforgettable moment, but she tries not to think about it too much, as there is nothing she can do to advance or change anything at this point in time.
Hannelore, Anneke's best friend, also finds and old skirt for sale in one of the shops. She is very excited about it, and consoles with Anneke about whether or not to buy it. She ends up purchasing it, but Anneke feels sad about it because she knows that the Nazis shouldn't have even taken away their belongings in the first place.
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