Daan is a self-conscious sixteen-year-old boy. Peter is of a quiet and reserved disposition. He doesn’t let himself open out to others easily. He generally keeps his thoughts and feelings only to himself. He is obedient, brave and dependable. He performs his patrol duties in the secret annex quite well. He is kind and tender even to animals.
Peter is rather a shy adolescent. He does like the company of Anne Frank and also enjoys the relationship but never opens fully to her. In the beginning he prefers solitude and has little in common with Anne except beyond their unusual living situation.
Anne first finds Peter Van Daan as ‘obnoxious, lazy and hypersensitive’. But as her relationship with Peter goes stronger, she changes her opinion about him. He starts appearing quiet, timid, honest and sweet to Anne. Inspite of Anne’s attraction, Peter Van Daan doesn’t share her strong convictions. Neither Mrs. Edith Frank nor Mrs. Van Daan approve of Peter’s intimacy with Anne. Even Mr. Frank cautions Anne to restrain herself in this matter
Peter is the only person in the annexe who can talk freely of sex and sexuality with Anne. Peter kisses her on her left cheek and ear and Anne cherishes that pleasant moment. He is the only confidant of Anne and source of her affection and attention in the annexe.
The young boy dies on May 5, 1945 at a concentration camp at Mauthausen, only three days before the camp was liberated.
