Miscellaneous
In both the play and Anne's diary, Peter admires this quality in Anne.
She is honest and outspoken.
Anne writes, "we are treated as children over outward things, and we are much older than most girls our age inwardly". What does she mean by this?
They have gone through an experience that makes them more mature than most teenagers.
What are some of the bad things Anne writes about that show things are getting worse OUTSIDE of the annex.
Stealing is getting so common that people don't leave their homes. Air raids are worse. Doctors can't go see patients because their cars get stolen.
What does Anne want to be when she gets out of the annex?
Why were there so many burglaries?
Conditions were getting worse and worse due to the war.
Who becomes Anne's best friend?
Peter
People like Miep, Mr. Kraler, Mr. Koophuis, Elli, Mr. Slagter, and the greengrocer all contribute to Anne’s growing maturity. What do her experiences with these individuals help her realize?
People are good at heart.
What happened during the Easter robbery?
A robber tried to break in by making a hole in the door. A married couple reported the robbery to the police, and they had to hide in one room until Henk came to tell him everything was okay.
If you feel you are weak in some way, what doe Anne think you should do?
change yourself
How did Mr. Frank find out about his family members' deaths?
By asking survivors who had been in other concentration camps.
Initially Mr. Frank wanted to eliminate all of the details about Anne’s romance with Peter and her complaints about Mrs. Frank because they contradict what was considered appropriate in the 1940’s, but he was persuaded to include her diary in its entirety. Why would the playwrights and publishers consider these details essential?
They believed that these common typical feelings would help all readers relate to and learn from Anne.
Towards the end of Anne’s diary, she quotes the expression, “For in its innermost depths youth is lonelier than old age.” Given Anne’s experience, why does she think that youth is more lonely than old age?
Life can be harder for children because they are still trying to form opinions and maintain ideals.
Anne writes, “…and keep on trying to find a way of becoming what I would so like to be, and what I could be, if…there weren’t any other people living in the world;” what is the conflict that she is revealing?
There is an internal conflict because her fear of being judged makes it hard for her to decide if she should allow others to see her true character
Why had Anne been somewhat happy in the concentration camp?
She could feel fresh air and sunshine.
What was D-Day
Allied soldiers arrived in Normandy - the beginning of the end of the war.
When the Nazis arrive, who attempts to remain optimistic and soothe anxiety by saying, “For the past two years we have lived in fear. Now we can live in hope”?
Mr. Frank
What does Anne consider the best remedy for people who are sad and lonely? What does she turn to when she feels upset?
nature/being outside
Based on the historic evidence and Anne’s diary, we know that there is no mysterious ringing telephone on the day they are discovered, and Anne does not jot down a few sentences of explanation. Additionally, despite Mr. Kraler's line in scene 5, they never find out how they were discovered. Why do you think the playwrights included this ending?
Anne says, "people who have religions should be glad, for not everyone has the gift of believing in heavenly things". Why does she feel that religion is important?
It gives people a reason to live an honorable life.
Why didn't D-Day mean Anne and the others in the Annex were free?
It still took time for the war to end.
In Act 2.4, why does Mr. Frank say "she puts me to shame"?
He is ashamed that is view on the world and human nature has changed, yet Anne was still able to see the good in everything.
Explain how Anne's opinion about human nature (the goodness or evilness in people) is different than Peter's idea.
Anne feels that people are still good at heart even thought there is so much violence and evil in the world.
In her diary, Anne writes that she has two sides, one "good" and one "bad" What is her "good side", what is her "bad side". Why doesn't she show this to others?
Her good side her inner, more serious side. Her bad side is her light hearted and superficial side. She doesn't show her good side because she is afraid she will not be accepted.
Why does Anne say that she used to be so superficial and lighthearted before going into hiding?
She was lonely and used her jokes to coverup her true feelings.
How did Mr. Frank find out about the death of his family and friends?