The Diary of Anne Frank

Act I Questions

Scene One

1. What information do you get about Anne from the first entry in the diary

2. What do you learn about her father?

3. What information does the diary give you about the war and its effect on the Jews?

4. What reason does Mr. Frank give Miep for his decision to leave Amsterdam? 5.   What is the time setting for this scene?

Scene Two

1.  What is the time setting for this scene?

2.  In Scene 2, Mr. Frank tells everyone the rules of their conflnement-the steps they must take to achieve their goal, which is to remain undiscovered. What are these rules?

3.  Who are the Van Daans? Why have the -Franks taken in the Van Daans?

4.  What are your first impressions of the Van Daans? Discuss each person in

the family.

5.  What are your impressions of Mr. Frank?

6.  Sounds from outside the secret annex play an important part in the play. Some remind us of ordinary life going on in the city. Others punctuate the scene with reminders of the danger outside. List four of the sounds heard so far. Explain whether each sound is pleasant or threatening.

7.  Why does Peter burn the Star of David? Why can't Anne do the same?

Scene Three

1.  Two of the play's characters live outside the secret annex and appear from time to time. Who are these characters? What important function do they perform?

2.  What does the behavior of Mr. Van Daan,.Mrs. Van Daan, and Peter tell you about each? Were your first impressions of them (question #4, Scene 2) correct?

3.  From what you see and hear of her in these first three scenes, how would you characterize Anne?

4.  What is Anne's attitude toward her mother? Toward her father? Toward Margot?

5.  What is Peter's attitude toward his father and mother?

6.  Describe the new character introduced in Scene 3. How does Mr. Frank respond to him? How does Mr. Van Daan respond?

7.  What information of the outside world does Mr. Dussel provide?

8.  List the conflicts that have developed among the characters by the end of scene three.

Scene Four

1.  According to the stage directions, what is Mr. Van Daan's purpose for coming downstairs? Have there been any clues to this kind of action on his part? Explain.

2.  Anne"s nightmare reveals tensions between Anne and two other members of the household. What is her nightmare? How does Mr. Dussel react to her terror? What does this tell us about him?

3.  When Mrs. Frank tries to comfort Anne, how does Anne respond to her? How does Mrs. Frank feel about Anne's response?

4.  Later in this scene, what does Anne tell her father about the two sides of her personality? Why won't she show her sweeter side?

Scene Five

1.  What significance can you find in the fact that the family celebrates Hanukkah? How does the Hanukkah celebration contrast with the harsh reality outsidelthe hiding place?      4

2.  Is the gift Anne gives to each occupant of the annex appropriate? Explain your answers.

3.  Why doesn't Mr. Frank want Anne to sing the Hanukkah song?

4.  What happening ends the celebration abruptly?

5.  What do you learn about each of the following from the way in which each reacts to the incident: Anne, Mr. Dussel, Mrs. Van Daan, Mr. Van Daan?

6.  Describe how Mr. Frank shows himself throughout this scene to be the person in charge?

7.  Why at the end of the scene does Mr. Frank urge Anne to sing the Hanukkah song when earlier he has discouraged her?

8.  Anne is a dynamic character; that is, she changes during the course of the play. (the change is generally for the better) Discuss how Anne has changed during Act One.