The Diary of Anne Frank
Dramatized by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
Based upon the book Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
Presented by Kristen Brannon, Brianna Mead, and Austin Paniucki
Albert Hackett &
Frances Goodrich
Genre/First Performance
This play was first performed on October 5, 1955 in the Cort
Theater in New York City.
Plot Summary
Plot Synopsis- The Franks and the Van Daans are forced to
hide in the Frank’s attic during the holocaust in the
Netherlands. A girl named Meip and her father, Mr. Kraler,
both Dutchman, bring the Franks and Van Daans supplies in
the attic. Anne and the rest of the characters are under even
more stress and tension when they take in a dentist named
Mr. Dussel.
Inciting Incident
When the Franks invite Mr. Dussel into the house, tension in
the house increases and creates conflict between Mr. Dussel
and Anne, as well as with Peter
Climax
The climax occurs when the Franks, Van Daan, and Mr.
Dussel are discovered hiding in the attic
Three Major Issues
1. Fighting against your basic and learned nature
2. Being shut off from society
3. Adolescence and the changing relationships resulting from
growing up
Theme
A major theme in The Diary of Anne Frank is isolation. The
Franks, Van Daans, and Mr. Dussel must hide alone in an
attic for two years, and their only company is each other.
In addition to the obvious isolation between the families and
the outside world, Anne feels an internal isolation. It’s hard
for Anne to connect with people, and she feels as though no
one understands her.
Important Characters
Anne Frank- The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank. She is
intelligent, charming and, funny. To others she is an annoyance. By
the end of the play, she grows from a clueless young 13 year old girl
to a smart, self-aware 15 year old.
Otto Frank- Anne’s father. He is practical and kind and Anne feels
closer to him then anyone. Otto is the only member of the family to
survive the war.
Peter Van Daan- The Van Daan’s only son. Shy, awkward and has
a little temper, he does not pay much attention to Anne until they
have been living in the annex for almost two years. They develop a
good friendship that leads them to being more than just “friends”.
Protagonist
The protagonist of this play is Anne Frank. We witness her
struggle to be accepted and connect with people. We want her
to succeed and to not get captured. We root for Anne.
Antagonist
The antagonist of the play is Nazi Germany itself . It is
because Germany occupied Holland and wanted to
destroy all the Jews that the Franks, van Daans, and
Mr. Dussel went into hiding.
Setting
The play takes place in The Netherlands between the years of
1942 and 1944. This is during the Holocaust.
Scene Selection
Vocabulary Words
Hanukkah- Jewish holiday celebration, gifts exchanged,
candles lit in a ceremonious manner, dinner shared and songs
sung
Holocaust- genocide of European Jews and others
Annex- auxiliary building
Nazi-follower of Hitler
Rucksac- knapsac, backpack
Ostentatiously- noticeable, on purpose
Jubilant-joyful, happy
Sustenance-life, nourishment
Capitulation-surrendering
Fatalist-accepts things
Liberate-free
Meticulous-picky, finicky, careful
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