History of Sorts

Anne Frank and Peter van Pels’s first kiss is one of the most touching and human moments in Anne’s diary, The Diary of a Young Girl. This event unfolds during one of the most challenging periods of Anne’s life, and it provides a poignant glimpse into the emotional complexity of adolescence in the face of immense hardship. Anne’s feelings for Peter, their budding friendship, and their eventual kiss represent not only the natural progression of teenage affection but also a rare moment of tenderness and normalcy in an otherwise grim and terrifying environment.

The Context of Anne and Peter’s Relationship

Anne Frank and Peter van Pels (often referred to as Peter van Daan in Anne’s diary) were two of eight people hiding in the Secret Annex in Amsterdam during World War II. Anne’s family—the Franks—and the van Pels family were joined by Fritz Pfeffer, a dentist. For more than two years, the group lived in constant fear of discovery by the Nazis, facing daily challenges such as limited food, lack of privacy, and the psychological strain of confinement.

Initially, Anne did not think highly of Peter. In the early entries of her diary, she describes him as shy, awkward, and unremarkable. She dismisses him as someone she could never have a romantic interest in, noting that they had little in common and that his quiet demeanor frustrated her. However, as time passed and their isolation grew more intense, Anne’s feelings for Peter began to shift. This change was partly due to her own emotional development, as she matured during their time in hiding, and partly due to the fact that Peter became the only person her age with whom she could share her thoughts, frustrations, and dreams.

The Development of Their Friendship

As Anne and Peter spent more time together in the cramped quarters of the annex, they began to confide in each other. This was particularly important for Anne, as she often felt misunderstood by the adults around her, including her own family. Peter, too, was a lonely and sensitive boy, grappling with his own fears and insecurities. They found solace in each other’s company, and their conversations became a source of emotional relief in their confined, pressured lives.

Anne’s feelings for Peter grew over time, and she became increasingly infatuated with him. Her diary reveals her deep longing for affection, love, and companionship, emotions common to any teenager but made even more intense by the perilous and claustrophobic circumstances. Peter, who was more reserved and less articulate than Anne, began to reciprocate her affection. However, his feelings were less explicitly explored in Anne’s writing.

The First Kiss

The first kiss between Anne Frank and Peter van Pels took place in the spring of 1944, as they continued to grow closer emotionally. In her diary entry from April 15, 1944, Anne describes how she and Peter sat together on the attic floor. They were talking, as they often did, but on this occasion, the mood was different. Peter put his arm around her, which was an intimate gesture that Anne had longed for. In the quiet privacy of the attic, away from the prying eyes of their families, Anne describes how Peter gave her a kiss on the cheek and then, later, a kiss on the lips.

This moment is incredibly tender in its simplicity. It was not a passionate kiss but rather an innocent and tentative gesture that spoke to the emotional connection between two young people who found themselves in an unimaginable situation. For Anne, this kiss symbolized much more than a physical act; it represented the fulfillment of her yearning for closeness and affection, as well as her desire to be seen as more than just a child. She wrote in her diary about how the kiss made her feel cared for and how much she cherished the moment.

However, despite the significance of the kiss, Anne remained introspective and thoughtful about her feelings for Peter. She questioned whether her love for him was genuine or simply a product of their shared isolation. In her diary, she often reflects on whether Peter could ever truly understand her or if she was merely seeking affection to escape the overwhelming loneliness of the annex. These reflections highlight the depth of Anne’s emotional intelligence and her ability to analyze her own feelings with remarkable maturity.

The Significance of the Kiss

The kiss between Anne and Peter is significant for several reasons. On a personal level, it represents a brief moment of joy and intimacy amidst the darkness of their circumstances. It provided Anne with a sense of hope and normalcy, a reminder that even in the face of extreme danger and fear, human connections can still flourish. In the context of the annex, where the occupants were constantly on edge, worried about being discovered and facing daily struggles for survival, this moment between Anne and Peter was a rare and precious one.

From a broader perspective, the kiss also serves as a poignant reminder of the universality of human experience. Anne and Peter were two ordinary teenagers living through extraordinary times. Their relationship, with all its confusion, tenderness, and uncertainty, mirrors the experiences of countless young people throughout history. Despite the horrors of the Holocaust and the immense suffering endured by Anne, Peter, and millions of others, this moment of first love is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Anne Frank’s first kiss with Peter van Pels is a powerful moment in her diary, offering a glimpse into the emotional lives of two young people living in one of the darkest periods of history. For Anne, the kiss was a brief respite from the horrors surrounding her, a moment of connection that allowed her to feel loved and understood. While their relationship was fleeting and ultimately cut short by the tragedy of the Holocaust, this kiss remains a poignant reminder of the enduring need for love, even in the most harrowing circumstances.

Anne’s reflections on her feelings for Peter, both before and after their kiss, show her extraordinary depth and self-awareness. In a world consumed by hatred and violence, this small act of affection stands as a symbol of hope, humanity, and the preciousness of life.

Peter van Pels died in Mauthausen on May 10, 1945. Five days laters, the camp was liberated by American troops. He was aged 18.

Anne Frank died in Bergen Belsen in February or March 1945 at the age of 15.

Sources

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/annefrank/section10/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/anne-franks-first-kiss/vi-AA1q4iZC?ocid=BingNewsVerp#details

https://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/main-characters/anne-frank/