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d. Anne’s Conflict with Mr. Dussel
Mr. Dussel was Anne’s roommate in Secret Annexe. They also did not get along very well. A conflict happened between Anne and Mr. Dussel in the Annexe
when Anne asked Mr. Dussel’s permission to use the desk in their room more often. Mr. Dussel and Anne had already made an agreement to share that table to
work and to study. Anne used to study there from two-thirty to four every afternoon and Mr. Dussel would take over it after that. However, one day, Anne
asked Mr. Dussel whether he would allow her to use the desk up to five-thirty twice week.
Anne asked Mr. Dussel politely, but Mr. Dussel’s reply was only ‘No’. Anne was incensed by Mr. Dussel answer, but she did not let herself to be put off
like that. Anne asked Mr. Dussel the reason for his answer and the point of his answer was that Anne did not take her study seriously. In contrast, he needed to
study too and he could not do it in the afternoon, he used that table and he were not going to give it up 141. Being insulted by the answer, Anne replied, “Mr.
Dussel, I do take my work seriously’ I can’t study next door in the afternoons, and I would appreciate it if you would reconsider my request” 141. Finishing her
sentence, Anne turned around and pretended that the Dussel was not there. There was not enough space in the hiding since they shared a small
compartment to live together. Moreover, they had to manage their movement in order not to be seen and heard by their neighbors. Therefore, they could not study
in the evening because the lights would take the neighbors’ attention. It was also
49 impossible for Anne to study next door, as people in the Annexe used to do
activities in that room. Anne told her father about what had just happened and they discussed
what her next step should be. Pim suggested her to talk to Dussel the next day, for she was in such a flap. Anne ignored her father’s advice and waited for Dussel
after she did the washing-up. Then, she began to ask Dussel to reconsider her request. Dussel only gave her his most charming smile and answered that he
would not like to change his decision. Then, Anne went on talking despite Dussel’s repeated interruptions,
When you first came here, we agreed that the room was to be shared by the two of us. If we were to divide it fairly, you’d have the entire morning
and I’d have the entire afternoon I’m not asking that much, but two afternoons a week does seem reasonable to me. 142
Mr. Dussel leapt out of his chair and was angry to Anne. Once again he brought up the business about Anne favorite subjects, mythology and knitting,
which according to Dussel were not important subjects to be taken seriously. Once again Anne was insulted, but she did not show it and let Dussel finish his words.
He also said that Anne was shamefully self-centered. He went on and on until there was such a deluge of words which she could hardly keep up. For one
fleeting moment Anne thought that she could smack Dussel’s ugly mug so hard and he would go bouncing off the wall. Nevertheless, she could manage herself
and thought, “Calm down, he’s not worth getting so upset about” 143. At last, Mr. Dussel’s anger was spent, and he left the room with an expression of triumph
mixed with wrath.
50 Anne went running over to her father to tell the entire story. Pim decided
to talk to Dussel soon after Anne finished her story, and they spoke for more than half an hour. The conversation went back and forth, with Pim defending Anne’s
selfishness and pointless activities and Mr. Dussel grumbling the whole time. However, Dussel finally gave in, and Anne was granted the opportunity to work
without interruption two afternoons a week.
C. The Surface Meaning and Deeper Meaning of Anne Frank’s Motivation