Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Nazi Germany

The antagonist is typically the bad guy who causes the book to have some conflict. There is no way, in that case, that we choose any entity but Nazi Germany.

Without the Third Reich's aggression, none of the events described in the diary would ever have occurred, and Anne and her family would have survived. It is because Nazi Germany occupied Holland and sought to destroy all the Jews that the Franks, van Daans, and Mr. Dussel went into hiding.

Mr. Dussel

By sorting Mr. Dussel into the antagonist bucket, we’re not trying to compare him to the Nazis. But Mr. Dussel is an antagonist on a different level.

He’s the roommate from hell who causes Anne constant frustration. He never takes her seriously, keeps her from having any time or space alone, and is constantly criticizing her. Aside from giving Anne a root canal (ouch), this guy does her no good.