How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
So at home I stayed with only Sooji, my childhood teddy bear, to nurse while I watched the soldiers from my bedroom window. Every time one of their guns went off, the blast shook our house, rattling the windows and making the dust fly. (2.23)
We all had a teddy or a favorite toy when we were young. Geertrui's stands out in her life now though, since her life is no longer full of the thoughts and dreams of little kids. It's contrasted with this idea of the death going on around her—youth has no place in war, so she grows up.
Quote #2
"How would I know? Haven't been old yet."
"Nor had Anne, so how could she know?" (4.74-75)
When Jacob and Alma talk about youth and old age, we can't help but wonder the same thing as Alma: how does Anne Frank know about old age when she's just a kid? Jacob doesn't have a good answer, but we think it has something to do with the fact that she imagines what old age must be like, and thinks youth must be harder.
Quote #3
Jacob paused a moment to check his memory before saying, "Okay. It goes: 'For in its innermost depths youth is lonelier than old age.' I read this saying in some book and I've always remembered it, and found it to be true. Is it true then that grown-ups have a more difficult time here than we do? No. I know it isn't. Older people have formed their opinions about everything, and don't waver before they act. It's twice as hard for us young ones to hold our ground, and maintain our opinions, in a time when all ideals are being shattered and destroyed, when people are showing their worst side, and do not know whether to believe in truth and right and God." (4.85)
This quote from Anne preoccupies Jacob, so it's worth us looking at closely. As he works through it, he decides kids do have it harder than adults. Hmm… is that because they have to listen to what adults say? Do you think kids are lonelier than old folks? Why?