The Diary of Anne Frank
Reader’s Response journal
Act I, Scene 1:
Vocabulary Development
On page 715, Anne’s diary mentions that she “emigrated” to Holland.
a. Define “emigrated.”
b. Explain how “emigrated” is different from “immigrated.”
On page 715, Anne talks about the “Dutch capitulation.”
a. Define “Capitulation.”
b. Who did the Dutch capitulate to?
c. What do you think caused the Dutch to capitulate?
Literary term: flashback
a. Explain the importance of the flashback.
b. Describe in 2-3 sentences what information the readers are given about the
characters in this flashback.
Making an Inference:
Mr. Kraler says, “I never thought I’d live to see the day when a man like Mr. Frank
would have to go into hiding…”
a. Explain what you can infer about Mr. Frank’s past from this statement.
Title of Scene
a. Write the Act and Scene number
b. Write your own title for the scene, based on the main conflict or theme of the
scene.
c. Write a detailed sentence about how this title reveals the conflict or theme.
Historical reference
a. Name and describe in several sentences a real event from history that is
mentioned in the scene.
b. Explain how this event affects the people in the Secret Annex.
Act I, Scene 2:
Vocabulary Development
p. 716 In the narration/ stage directions, it is said that Anne is “mercurial in her
emotions.”
a. Define “mercurial” (look on the bottom of the page).
b. Explain how Anne’s emotions are like the mercury in a thermometer.
Making an Inference:
On page 721 and elsewhere, Anne calls her father by a special nickname, Pim.
a. Explain what you can infer about Anne’s relationship with her father from this.
Literary term: symbol, symbolic
On page 720, Anne and Peter take off their Stars of David but the shape still shows
due to the fading of the cloth.
a. Describe the symbolism of this scene.
On page 721, Mr. Frank tells Anne, “There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks
that anyone can put on your mind.”
a. Describe the symbolic meaning of wall, bolt, or lock in this quotation.
Title of Scene
a. Write the Act and Scene number
b. Write your own title for the scene, based on the main conflict or theme of the
scene.
c. Write a detailed sentence about how this title reveals the conflict or theme.
Historical reference
a. Name and describe in several sentences a real event from history that is
mentioned in the scene.
b. Explain how this event affects the people in the Secret Annex.
Act I, Scene 3
Vocabulary development
“I’m the goat around here” p. 728. (“Goat” here is short for “scapegoat.”)
a. Look up the meaning of scapegoat and write the definition.
b. Explain why Anne feels that she is a scapegoat.
c. Do you think that Anne is being scapegoated? Explain why or why not.
Literary term: irony, ironic
Anne tells Mr. Van Daan, “Remember, Mr. So-and-so, remember I’m a lady” and
then he tells her, “A man likes a girl who will listen to him once in a while…” on
page 727.
a. Explain why one of these quotations is ironic.
Literary term: hyperbole
“Every time I hear that sound, my heart stops!” p. 728
a. Explain what Mrs. Frank means when she uses this hyperbole.
Literary term: hyperbole
“When Mr. Kraler comes, the sun begins to shine” p. 729.
a. Explain what Mrs. Frank means when she uses this hyperbole.
Characterization
“You can imagine…three ration books among the seven of us…and now you make
eight” p. 731.
a. Explain what a ration book is.
b. Explain what this quotation reveals about Mr. Van Daan.
Title of Scene
a. Write the Act and Scene number
b. Write your own title for the scene, based on the main conflict or theme of the
scene.
c. Write a detailed sentence about how this title reveals the conflict or theme.
Act I, Scene 4
Vocabulary Development
“Mrs. Van Daan pretends to be a fatalist. What will be, will be,” p. 736.
a. Define “fatalist.”
b. Explain why you think Mrs. Van Daan pretends to be a fatalist when she’s not.
c. Are you a fatalist? Explain why you are or are not.
Characterization
“There is so little we parents can do to help our children. We can only try to set a
good example….point the way. The rest you must do yourself. You must build your
own character,” p. 736
a. Explain Mr. Frank’s parenting beliefs and style based on this quotation.
Characterization
a. Describe the two different sides of Anne’s personality as she reveals them to
her parents after her nightmare. (p. 736)
Characterization
Anne mentions a conversation that everyone has about what they want to do as soon
as the war is over.
a. List each person’s desire.
b. Explain what each reveals about the person’s personality.
Title of Scene
a. Write the Act and Scene number
b. Write your own title for the scene, based on the main conflict or theme of the
scene.
c. Write a detailed sentence about how this title reveals the conflict or theme.
Act I, Scene 5
Vocabulary Development
p. 738 improvised “She rushes to her room, hurriedly puts on a little hat improvised
from the lamp shade…”
a. Define “improvised.”
b. Explain why Anne “improvises” a hat from a lampshade and what this reveals
about her personality.
Vocabulary Development
p. 740 jubilation “It’s a song of jubilation…”
a. Define “jubilation.”
b. Explain why Mrs. Frank thinks they shouldn’t sing a song of jubilation then.
Compare/Contrast
a. Compare the way two characters in the Secret Annex react (similarly) to the
intruder.
b. Contrast the way two characters in the Secret Annex react (differently) to the
intruder.
Evaluate
a. How do you think you would react in the same situation?
b. Which character’s reaction is the most like what yours would be?
c. Explain the reason why.
Literary term: irony
a. Explain the irony of the family celebrating the Chanuka (Hannukah) while in
hiding.
b. Explain why it would be important for the family to celebrate this holiday
while in hiding.
Title of Scene
a. Write the Act and Scene number
b. Write your own title for the scene, based on the main conflict or theme of the
scene.
c. Write a detailed sentence about how this title reveals the conflict or theme.