Although Peter Schiff (or "Petel," as Anne affectionately calls him) was a real person in her life, he becomes less of a person and more of an abstraction during her time in confinement. Anne has several haunting and life-changing romantic dreams about Peter, and he soon becomes symbolic of Anne's desire not only for true love, but for a true friend whom she can really confide in.
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Peter Schiff ("Petel") Symbol Timeline in The Diary of Anne Frank
The timeline below shows where the symbol Peter Schiff ("Petel") appears in The Diary of Anne Frank. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Year 1944
Anne recalls a dream she had the night before about Peter Schiff , in which Peter places his cheek against hers. Anne also recounts dreams she's had...
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January 7th. Anne tells the story of how she fell in love with Peter Schiff. She also confesses that when her father kissed her that morning, she wished he himself...
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...in her own family, God has sent her someone to help her: the vision of Peter Schiff.
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January 19th. Anne feels that her dream of Peter Schiff has changed her. Anne realizes that she no longer feels jealous of Margot's relationship with...
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...can truly confide in. Anne feels that she's become more adult since her dream about Peter Schiff. She has a new attitude toward the conflicts in the house – she feels that...
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...be her normal, cheerful self around the others, so as not to arouse suspicion. " Peter Schiff and Peter van Daan have melted into one Peter, who's good and kind and whom...
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April 28th. Anne hasn't forgotten her dream about Peter Schiff ; she still longs for the ecstasy she felt in the dream. Anne manages to...
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