In The Diary of Anne Frank, the conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel about Mr. Dussel’s unkind words to Peter’s mother supports the theme that

wartime often brings out the worst in people.
children always tend to defend their parents.
difficult times tend to tear friendships apart.
people are not always as they appear to be.

people are not always as they appear to be.

To determine the answer to this question, we need to analyze the conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel about Mr. Dussel's unkind words towards Peter's mother in The Diary of Anne Frank.

First, we should focus on the specific conflict mentioned, which is when Mr. Dussel says unkind words about Peter's mother. This conflict represents a clash of personalities and values between the two characters.

Now, let's consider the options presented:

- Wartime often brings out the worst in people: While it is true that wartime can have a negative impact on people's behavior, this theme is not directly addressed or demonstrated by the conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel.

- Children always tend to defend their parents: This option suggests a general theme about the behavior of children towards their parents, but it does not directly relate to the conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel.

- Difficult times tend to tear friendships apart: This option appears to be more relevant as it suggests that challenging circumstances can strain relationships. The conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel indeed highlights the strain and tension that arises between them due to their differing opinions and values.

- People are not always as they appear to be: This option implies that individuals may have hidden or conflicting qualities. While this theme is not explicitly demonstrated by the conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel, it could be interpreted as reflecting that people's true nature may be revealed in challenging circumstances.

Considering the options and analyzing the conflict, the theme that is best supported by the conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel is that difficult times tend to tear friendships apart. The conflict shows how challenging circumstances during the war create tension and strain within their relationship, potentially leading to the dissolution of their friendship.

The conflict between Peter and Mr. Dussel about Mr. Dussel's unkind words to Peter's mother in The Diary of Anne Frank supports the theme that people are not always as they appear to be.