Diary of Anne Frank
Act 1
SOL 8.4, 8.5
As we read, watch for insights into the themes of the play. Make notes here as you read.
1.
Why might the sight of the glove cause Mr. Frank to cry? What literary element might this be an example of?
2.
Why does he want to leave Amsterdam?
3.
What inference can you make about why Mr. Frank might want the papers burned?
4.
How did life change for Anne after the Dutch surrendered and the Germans arrived in the Netherlands?
5.
How would you describe Anne so far in the play? Use specific examples from the play to support your opinion.
6.
How do the Vann Daans come to stay with the Franks?
7.
Why do you think Miep and Mr. Kraler are helping the Franks?
8.
What are the rules the occupants of the annex have to follow?
9.
What do we hear off stage that remind us of the danger the group is in?
10. Describe each of the Vann Daans, using specific examples to support your opinion.
11. Why did the Franks leave everything in their home as if they’d suddenly been called away?
12. Why did the Nazis force Jews to wear the Star of David?
13. Why did Peter burn his?
14. Why can’t Anne burn it?
15. Based on their personalities, what do you think Anne & Peter’s relationship will be like?
16. Mr. Frank says, “There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind.” What
significance does this statement hold?
17. How does Mr. Frank help Anne to accept their new situation?
18. How does Anne cope with being confined?
19. Compare and contrast Anne’s relationship with her mother to Peter’s relationship to his mother.
20. Find three examples of foreshadowing in scene 3.
21. Describe the conflict between Anne and her mother.
22. On page 384, find an example of irony and explain.
23. Why do you think Mrs. Frank doesn’t confront Mrs. Vann Daan about her actions with Mr. Frank?
24. At the top of page 388, what is ironic about Anne’s comments?
25. How does Mr. Vann Daan react to the news of Mr. Dussel coming to the annex? Do you think this is an appropriate
reaction? Explain.
26. What does Anne say about her generation and their relationship with their parents? Compare this to your generation.
27. List the conflicts that have developed among the characters by the end of scene 3. Why are these conflicts dangerous
for the people in the annex?
28. At the beginning of scene 4, how does the play director remind the audience of the time period in which the play is
set?
29. What do you think Mr. Vann Daan is doing?
30. Why do you think Anne is having nightmares?
31. How would you describe Dussel’s reaction to Anne’s nightmares?
32. Why do you think Anne doesn’t want her mother to stay with her? Why does she ask for her father?
33. Describe Margot’s relationship with her mother.
34. How does Mr. Frank respond to Anne’s request for help? What larger idea (theme) might the authors be trying to
express?
35. How is Anne like a typical teenager?
36. At the end of the scene, Anne tells her diary what each of them wants to do when they leave the annex. What do
their responses say about their characters?
37. What is dramatic irony? How are Anne’s wishes ironic?
38. How has Anne changed since the beginning of the play?
39. What is the group celebrating at the beginning of scene 5? What is ironic about this event?
40. What do Anne’s gifts tell you about her character?
41. What does Anne’s gift to her father symbolize?
42. On page 406, who do you think is in the offices below?
43. What does Peter do that makes the situation escalate?
44. Describe Mr. Vann Daan’s reaction to Peter on page 407. What does this tell you about his character?