Theme
Choose a story from your literature book that we have read this grading period and
decide the theme for the story. (You may use one of the stories/themes that you used for
your Art project if you want.) Your paragraph will be an argumentative piece proving why
the chosen theme fits the story. You must include a maximum of 2 lines directly from the
story that also justifies the theme chosen. Remember to cite the directly quoted line(s)
using parenthetical citation.
As always, you must use blue/black ink if hand writing the assignment, and you
must follow all MLA formatting rules.
Read Your Way to Freedom
“The Diary of Anne Frank” depicts a story about a young girl and how she deals with
the reality of hiding from those who seek to destroy anyone that doesn’t meet the required
looks of a true Aryan person. Throughout the diary, Anne describes the difficulties of living
in tight quarters with her family as well as with the VanDaan family and Dr. Albert Dussel.
What is most difficult for her, however, is not having any interaction with nature, society,
and current gossip about her favorite movie stars. She just wants the chance to feel the
fresh air hit her face, talk with her best friend, and listen to the radio. She feels totally
trapped. Mr. Frank explains to Anne that the claustrophobic atmosphere can be erased by
reading. He claims, “There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on
your mind” (Goodrich and Hackett 379). This idea leads one to understand that no matter
what the physical circumstance may be, people are free to go anywhere they wish through
the world of imagination. With the help of books, Anne is able to satisfy her longing for life
outside the four walls of her tiny confines.
Works Cited
Goodrich, Francis, and Albert Hackett. "The Diary of Anne Frank." Holt Elements of Literature.
Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2008. 369-435. Print.