Anne Frank Diary Excerpts Questions. Answer on a separate sheet.
Sunday, September 27, 1942
¶1 Why is the word “discussions” in quotation marks?
¶ 2 What does the phrase “building sand castles in the air” mean in this context?
¶ 3 Explain “… are so alien to me.” Why does Anne say, “Isn’t that a shame?” What does
this remark reveal about her character?
¶ 5 “More than once the air has been filled with the van Daans’ admonitions…” What is the
implied metaphor in this sentence? Why did Anne choose this metaphor?
¶ 5 Paraphrase: “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to jump back into the fray with my
usual composure.”
¶ 11 What does the phrase “calling the kettle black” mean?
Explain how ¶ 6 & ¶ 12 help you to interpret this expression.
Monday September 28, 1942
¶ 1 (bottom) Paraphrase: “I’ll give them a taste of their own medicine, and then they’ll
change their tune.
¶ 2 “I’ve bored you long enough with my quarrels.” What does this remark reveal about
Anne’s relationship with her diary?
¶ 12 Why is Anne shaking her head “in a combination of compassion and irony”? (To
whom is she showing this “compassion and irony”? about what?)
Thursday, November 19, 1942
¶ 1 What is a “bounty”?
Friday November 20, 1942
What is the overall tone of this entry? (Describe the tone using an adjective and then give
two specific details that support your interpretation.)
Wednesday, January 13, 1943
Not only are the Jews in Holland suffering, but Christians are as well. Describe two aspects
of suffering among the Christians.
Saturday, January 30, 1943
¶ 1 To what does Anne compare the criticisms directed at her? How does she develop this
comparison?
¶ 5 What is the “golden mean”?