Characters
Describe Mr. Van Daan's appearance and personality.
Portly/overweight
In his late forties
Pacing around
Smokes
Wears clothes that are “expensive and well cut.”?
Wealthy/rich.
He is used to being comfortable and always having plenty (of food, money, etc.).
He’s a nervous and worrisome individual.
Used to getting his way, so he may have a difficult time being trapped in the attic.
Does Scene ONE take place before, during or after WW2?
Before
Why are the Franks and Van Daans wearing multiple layers of clothing when they first arrive?
They couldn’t attract suspicion as they walked along the streets.
They needed to secretly carry as many clothes with them as possible.
At the beginning of the scene, when the families are finally free to talk and move around, Anne “explodes” with “pent-up energy;” Margot’s reaction is very different. What does Margot do? AND What does Margot’s reaction to the start of free time show about her?
Margot is very studious/cares a lot about her school work.
Margot prefers to be alone and doing quiet activities.
Margot is much more mature than Anne and not nearly so energetic.
Why does Mrs. Van Daan tease Peter about Anne? By teasing him, what is she possibly trying to do?
She is possibly trying to set them up together (mama-matchmaker).
Describe Mrs. Van Daan's appearance and personality.
She is wealthy, so possibly used to getting whatever she wants.
Possibly snobby (fur coat).
Overly concerned with her appearance.
Materialistic (meaning possessions are overly important to her)?
Does scene TWO take place before, after, or during WW2?
During
What sort of a father does Mr. Frank appear to be? Give details from the text to back up your viewpoint.
Understanding because he takes time to listen to Anne.
Caring because he gives Anne his special pen and a diary.
Protective because he won’t let Anne go downstairs for a pencil, even though no one is down there now.
He worries about his family’s safety.
What does Mrs. Van Daan do to/around Mr. Frank that deeply embarrasses Peter?
Shows her leg and kisses Mr. Frank
What is Anne’s relationship with her mom like? What might be the root cause of their struggles?
Mrs. Frank and Anne fight often.
They do not understand each other because their personalities are so different.
OR
Anne wants to be her own person, but Mrs. Frank expects her to be like Margot.
Describe Peter Van Daan including both his appearance and personality.
Shy
Awkward
16 years old
Wears cap, raincoat, and long Dutch trousers
Has a cat carrier
Describes himself as a "lone wolf."
Where is the setting's place? Build, city or country can be named.
Building: top floor of a warehouse and office building where Mr. Frank used to work/own his business.
OR
City: Amsterdam
OR
Country: Holland/Netherlands
Who are Miep and Mr. Kraler? What sort of people do Miep Gies and Mr. Kraler seem to be? Use details from the text to support your response.
Miep Gies and Mr. Kraler are friends/ employees of Mr. Frank who work in the office below.
Miep and Mr. Kraler are helping to hide the Franks and Van Daans. They bring the families supplies.
Miep Gies and Mr. Kraler seem encouraging because they still pretend that all is well when the Franks are around.
They are selfless because they willing to risk being thrown into a concentration camp themselves, yet they still help the families.
There are multiple instances in Scene 3 where Peter is deeply embarrassed by one of his parents. Describe TWO of these instances.
When Peter’s mom is flirting with Mr. Frank.
When his dad is not as willing to take Mr. Dussel in.
Who is Mr. Dussel? Describe who he is AND what we know about his personality by the end of this scene.
What is:
a dentist that they bring into hiding.
He is very fussy and particular; for example, he needs to “lie quietly for ten minutes before eating” because it helps his digestion (Goodrich and Hackett 474).
Mr. Dussel is critical of others because Anne writes in her diary that he keeps criticizing her appearance, character, and manners.
He’s an introvert because he’s nervous about having to spend his free time in the living room with all the people.
How is Margot described when we first meet her?
Beautiful
Quiet
Shy
Why does Mr. Frank break down when he sees/holds the many-colored scarf and white woman's glove?
They seem to remind him of his family members who are dead.
Mr. Frank says to Anne, “There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind.” What does this mean?
Even though Anne is physically locked up in the attic, her mind will always be free.
She will always be free to be herself, think how she wants, believe what she wants.
What does Mr. Frank’s response to what Mrs. Van Daan does (after she acts provocatively) reveal about his character?
Mr. Frank knows that he has to live with these people indefinitely, so he can’t confront Mrs. Van Daan or make a big scene.
Whenever tensions arise, or a conflict is going on, what does Mrs. Frank typically do? Why does she do this?
What is:
She tries to change the subject or ignore the situation because she was raised to always be polite and keep her feelings to herself.
She tries to calm Anne down (Anne’s usually the cause of the problem) because she dislikes conflict.
Mrs. Frank know she has to put up the Van Daans indefinitely, so she does whatever she can to keep the peace.
What does the text mean when it says that Anne is "mercurial in her emotions?"
Her emotions can change quickly; she is reactive.
If she thinks it, she says it; if she feels it, she shows it.
What is the overall mood of scene ONE?
Sorrowful because of Mr. Frank grieving his loss.
Tense as the audience is trying to figure out what has happened to Mr. Frank.
When Mr. Kraler states, “I never thought I’d live to see the day when a man like Mr. Frank would have to go into hiding,” what does his statement imply about Mr. Frank’s character?
Mr. Frank is a man of great, respectable character if someone is shocked that he would have to fear for his safety.
How does Mrs. Frank react to Mrs. Van Daan’s behavior? What does Mrs. Frank’s reaction reveal about her personality or character?
She wipes the lipstick off of Mr. Frank and does not say anything.
Mrs. Frank was raised to “gently-bred, reserved,” so by nature, she won’t speak her mind, defend her husband/herself, or confront Mrs. Van Daan.
Mrs. Frank knows that she has to live with these people indefinitely, so she can’t confront Mrs. Van Daan or make a big scene.
What is Peter’s relationship with his dad like? Use details from the text to back up your ideas.
Peter’s dad constantly criticizes him for little things, like not having his homework done, which shows that their relationship is strained.
Peter is ashamed of who his dad is/how Mr. Van Daan acts, which is shown when Peter turns away in embarrassment after his dad comments about not having enough food for Mr. Dussel.