ACT 1 SCENE 5
SUMMARY BY RAKEL

It is the first night of the Hanukkah celebration.

The men wear hats ,and Peter wears his cap. They pray and light the candles of
Hanukkah.

Although Mr Dussel is a Jew, he resembles the ritual of giving presents to St.
Nicholas Day

Mrs Van daan surprises and asks him what kind of a Jew he is and that he doesn’t
know what hanukkah is about.

Margot says that the best part of Hanukkah is the presents which they used to get
when they were little

Anne surprises everyone when she starts giving each of them the presents that she
has made.

Margot gets quiet emotional when she reads what Anne has written about her on the
present.

Margot has a crossword puzzle book which Anne has rubbed it all and made it new
again.

Mrs. Van Daan gets a a hair shampoo which Anne made it by taking all the odds and
the ends of soap and mixed them with the last of her toilet water.

Anne gives Mr. Van Daan something he longs for ‘ cigarettes’ which were made with
some old pipe tobacco by Mr. Frank .

She gives her mother a piece of paper promising to do whatever she says for the
duration of ten hours which makes Mrs. Frank very happy.

Finally, she has the most precious gift she has ever had. She pulls out a scarf which
Mr. Frank finds in the first scene.

There is even a present for Mouschi ; a ball of paper, with a string attached to it.

Peter is scared to open his present because he thinks that something’s going to
jump out and hit him. However, it is not something like he’s guessed.

i
It is a second hand safety razor which Miep got for her.

When Peter goes to give Mouschi his present, Anne gives two capsules to Mr Dussel
that surprises Mr. Dussel. Anne gives him ear-plugs which she made out of cotton
and candle wax.

They feel like that they’re celebrating a Real Hanukkah

Meanwhile, Peter comes out from his bedroom holding a bulge in his coat. Mr Van
Daan thinks that he has the cat inside his coat and tells him to take it out.

However, Peter makes a joke and pulls out a bath towel out.

Then, Mr Van Daan states that they’re getting rid of it soon as he eats all of their
food, but Peter opposes this idea and a conflict starts between Peter and his father.

Anne comes in singing and she is still in the mood of celebration.

Suddenly, a noise is heard downstairs. After Mr. Frank slips his shoes off,everyone
does the same thing.Then, Mr Frank motions to Peter to switch off the center lamp
. While Peter is trying to reach it, he falls off the chair.

They hear a sound of feet below, running down the stairs.

Mrs. Van Daan worries that it’s the Green Police and will be back to get them.

While Mr. Frank is listening intently if there is a noise coming from downstairs,
Anne faints and falls to the floor.

Despite the oppositions, Mr. Frank goes downstairs while Mrs. Frank is praying for
good. Finally, Mr Frank comes back saying that it was a thief.

The thief is in such a hurry that he leaves the street door open.

Mr Frank tells every one to calm down and that the danger has passed.

Again, Mr Dussel thinks pessimistically and goes into a discussion with Mrs. Van
Daan which makes Anne anxious about the situation. Therefore, she wants to leave
the Secret Annex.

However, Mr Frank shows his positiveness saying that they mustn’t loose their faith
and thank God that they’re alive and safe.

Mr. Frank turns to Anne and they start singing the hanukkah song which everyone
gradually joins in.
i