The father of the family that hides in the annex along with the Franks and who had worked with Otto Frank as an herbal specialist in Amsterdam. Mr. van Daan’s actual name is Hermann van Pels, but Anne calls him Mr. van Daan in the diary. According to Anne, he is intelligent, opinionated, pragmatic, and somewhat egotistical. Mr. van Daan is temperamental, speaks his mind openly, and is not afraid to cause friction, especially with his wife, with whom he fights frequently and openly. He dies in the gas chambers at Auschwitz in October or November of 1944.

Character Sketch of Mr. Van Daan

Mr. Van Daan is one of the main characters in Anne Frank's diary, which depicts the experiences of a Jewish family in hiding during the Holocaust.

Personality
- Mr. Van Daan is portrayed as a rather opinionated and self-centered individual.
- He often clashes with other members of the group due to his abrasive nature and tendency to prioritize his own needs.

Relationship with Anne Frank
- Mr. Van Daan has a strained relationship with Anne Frank, often disagreeing with her and finding her youthful exuberance irritating.
- Despite this, there are moments of understanding and even kindness between the two characters.

Role in the Secret Annex
- Mr. Van Daan plays a crucial role in the daily functioning of the Secret Annex, helping with tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
- However, his volatile personality sometimes causes tension within the group.

Character Development
- Throughout the diary, Mr. Van Daan's character undergoes some development, showing moments of vulnerability and introspection.
- His struggles and flaws make him a complex and multi-dimensional character in the story.

Overall, Mr. Van Daan is a significant figure in Anne Frank's diary, adding depth and conflict to the narrative through his complex personality and relationships with other characters.