The Diary of Anne Frank
Mr. Dussel
Biography
Mr. Düssel, the elderly dentist who joined the group in hiding in November 1942, had formerly lived in Berlin and was married to a Catholic woman. He and his wife emigrated to Holland after the anti-Semitic riots of November 1938 which took place throughout Germany. When Mr. Düssel went into hiding, his wife was informed that he had managed to get out of the country, so she never knew that her husband was in Amsterdam, near her, until the group was discovered by the Nazis. The information was conveyed to her then by a member of the Dutch group of "protectors." Life in the confined quarters of the "Secret Annexe" had made Mr. Düssel rather difficult, and Anne describes him with great severity in her diary. If life in hiding was uncomfortable and annoying, it was much more so if one had to share one small room with a somewhat pedantic, older man. The experience obviously was not a pleasant one for either Anne or Mr. Düssel. Mr. Düssel went with the other members of the group first to Westerbork and then to Auschwitz. He was later separated from the other men in the group and was sent back to Germany. He died at the Neuengamme camp.
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/d/the-diary-of-anne-frank/character-analysis/mr-dxfcssel
Family Sticks Together Through Rough Times
In The Diary of Anne Frank , the theme “family sticks together through tough times” occurs when Mr. Dussel needs a hiding place and the Franks and Vanns have to make a decision whether or not let him stay in the annex with them. Mr. Kraler states on page 390,”......... I know it's a terrible thing to ask of you, living as you are, but would you take him in with you?” Also the theme “family sticks together through tough times” occurs when Anne's father says that living in the annex would be hard but beneficial. Mr. Frank says on page 379 “It’ll be hard, I know………… I tell you, this is going to be a fine life for you!”
Perseverance is the Key to Life
Another theme that occurs in The Diary of Anne Frank is “perseverance is the key to life”. This occurs when Anne says on page 388, “I am going to be a famous dancer or singer… or something wonderful.” Also another place this theme occurs when there is little food but they brought Mr. Dussel in anyways. On page 391, Mr. Dussel says, “What can I do to thank you…?” He says this because he needed a place to hide and they let him come stay with them.
I chose a tooth because Mr. Dussel was a dentist. He cleaned teeth as a job. He said he was good with children from being a dentist but him and Anne never got along. Mr. Dussel had to leave being a dentist behind to go into hiding. He had to leave doing something he loved to keep himself alive.