Allyson Torres
Questions to The Diary of Anne Frank
Scene I and Scene II
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The families must obey strict rules to avoid discovery. Which rules would be hardest for your to follow? Why?
The rule that would be hardest for me to follow would have to be staying quiet all day long. I mean how can a human possibly sit still without saying a word for more than 5 hours. You couldn’t use the bathroom, I can hold my pee but not for that long. Life for these people must have been really rough, but I’m sure they would do anything to remain undiscovered.
In Scene 1, what objects does Mr. Frank find in the secret rooms? B) What do Anne’s presents show about her? C) Why do the others react with enthusiasm to their presents?
In Scene 1 Mr. Frank finds a white glove, a multi colored scarf, and Miep also points out to him that Anne left her diary. B) When Anne gives the presents to the ‘family’ for Hanukkah it shows that she cares about each of them enough to make them feel like their receiving something new. Even though the gifts were home made, and reused Anne made an effort to make them feel at home. C) The others react with enthusiasm to their presents because they were surprised that they were even getting anything. The presents weren’t ‘the best money could buy’ but it was the thought that counted, Anne had made an effort and I think they appreciated that.
Evaluate the statement. “There are…no locks that anyone can put on your mind”. How does Anne prove that this is true?
Anne continues to think that hiding out will result in the ‘family’ getting saved and reunited with everyone else. She still thinks that nothing is wrong with the people that are doing this to them. Mr. Frank means that no one can stop you from thinking what your thinking, no one can lock up your mind and tell you what not to think. Anne proves that because she still thinks people are good while others don’t understand where she can get that from.
What is the historical cause that forces the Franks to go into hiding? B) What effects does this situation have on their daily lives?
The historical event that forces the Franks to go into hiding was The Holocaust. B) This situation effects their daily lives because they are no longer allowed to go out, or use the bathroom as often as they wanted. They were like prisoners in their own hiding spot.
In Scene 2 Anne and Peter discuss the Stars of David’s on their clothes. A) What effects of the Nazis intend the wearing of the stars to have on the Jews? B) What background information about the war and the Nazis’ treatment of the Jews helps to link this cause with its intended effects?
The effects that the Nazis intended on the wearing of the stars were so that they could identify who was Jewish and who was not. They also wanted to make the Jews feel like they were not important, like they didn’t matte to anyone. B) With research I learned that the Nazis did not like the Jews. They discriminated against them, especially with the stars.
Complete an organizer like the one shown with examples of dialogue that achieve each purpose.
Dialogue: Reveals character and relationships
1. Anne: “I have a much better idea. I’ll come in here with you and Mother, and Margot can take Peter’s room and Peter can go in our room with Mr. Dussel.”
Margot: “That’s right. We could do that.”
Mr. Frank: “No, Margot. You mustn’t sleep in that room… neither you nor Anne. Mouschi has caught some rats in there. Peter’s brave. He doesn’t mind.”
*This shows who Anne is, she would switch her room just to make someone else fit.
Advances the action of the plot
1. Mr. Frank: “No. I think they’ve gone.” @ noise below hiding
Mrs. Van Daan: “It’s the Green Police. They’ve found us.”
Mr. Frank: “If they had, they wouldn’t have left. They’d be up here by now.”
* This makes it seem like the hiding is becoming more dangerous, because someone has realized they are up there.
Develops the conflict
1. Dussel: “I think some day he’ll get caught and then he’ll make a bargain with the Green Police…if they’ll let him off, he’ll tell them where some Jews are hiding.” @ the ‘thief’ below
Mrs. Van Daan: “You’re crazy!”
Mr. Van Dann: “He’s right.”
Anne: “Father, let’s get out of here! We can’t stay here now...Let’s go.”
Mr. Van Daan: “Go! Where!?”
* They have no other place to hide, and they have to deal with the fact that someone might know where their hiding.
After Mr. Kraler asks if Jan Dussel can join the Franks and the Van Daans in hiding, what does the dialogue among the characters reveal about their personalities.
The conversation between the characters when Mr. Dussel joined them in hiding showed that some characters were more selfish than others. Mr. Van Daan complained that there was not enough food for them, so they shouldn’t take in another person. Other people were okay with it because they knew that he was in need like them, but for a place to hide out.
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What do you like best about Anne Frank? How would you like having her as a friend?
The thing I liked best about Anne Frank was that she spoke her mind, she was a regular teenager. She had issues with her mother, and she liked talking to Peter. I liked the fact that she didn’t care about what other people thought about the Nazis, she still thought that everybody had good in them. I think I would like having her as a friend, because she seems like any other friend that I have.
What disturbing news does Mr. Kraler bring on New Year’s Day? B) What hint dos this give about the ending of the play?
Mr. Kraler say’s that someone has suspicions about whether or not the Franks have really left to Switzerland. He said that one of the workers noticed a bookcase that hid in front of a door. The worker was trying to black mail Mr. Kraler, kind of like trying to get him to give more money or he will make up something about the Franks. B) This hints to me that someone might snitch on the ‘family’ that’s hiding in the Secret Annex.
What is the time span of Act II? B) How have the characters changed since the end of Act I? C) How do you know that Anne has changed?
The time span of Act II is around 1944-1945. B) The characters have changed since the end of Act I because they seem to be more okay with how many people are now hiding out with them. The Van Daans seem to fight more than ever. They seem to appreciate more things now than ever before. I know that Anne has changed because she seems to talk to Peter more about things that matters to her and about her hopes and dreams.
How can Anne believe that "...in spite of everything ..people are really good at heart?" B) What does Mr. Frank mean when he says: "She puts me to shame"?
I think that Anne still believes that in spite of everything people are really good at heart, because she wants to believe that she will soon be free. Anne wants to believe that she will be able to do normal things again. B) Mr. Frank means that he thinks people are mean and since hes the adult he should be more responsible than Anne.
For each of the following events, identify on cause and one effect: Mr. Vann's decision to steal food B) Mrs. Frank's change of heart about wanting the Van Daans to leave.
Cause: Mr. Vaan Daan stole food
- Because selfish and wants more for himself
Effect: Everything lost respect for him.
Cause: Mrs. Franks change of heart
-She knows they have to get along
Effect: they got closer, and helped each other out. Peter and Anne become closer
What are some possible causes of Mrs. Van Daan's attitude toward Anne and Peter's relationship?
Mrs Van Daan does not want Anne to talk to Peter, I think this because she might think that Anne is going to take her son away from here meaning he will no longer want to talk to his own family.
Living in close quarters has multiple effects on the residents of the "Secret Annex." List three effects that result from this single cause.
1. They had stict rules to follow
2. They only communicate with those in the house.
3. Not enough food, clothing, or money to survive.
Literay Analysis
On a chart like the one shown, identify the possible motivation behind the actions listed.
Miep: Brings flowers and cake to the attic rooms.
Motivation: The 'family' starts to think they will be free soon
Mr. Van Daan: Steals the food at night
Motivation: He can change, everybody must get along in the house
Peter Van Daan: Starts to like talking to Anne
Motivation: When they get out of hiding they will still be friend, they have someone to talk to.
What possible motivations might an informer have for telling the authorities about the families in hiding?
An informer might need something to get away with. If he/she knows something and is in trouble with the law then they can use the information they know to be set off the hook.
