8B STUDENT PACKET
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
(drama, play) by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
Name:__________________________________________
Literary Focus

Elements of Drama
o Act & Scene
o Stage directions
o Exposition
o Initial conflict
o Complications
o Climax
o Denouement (Resolution)

Irony
o Situational irony
o Dramatic irony




Characterization
Conflict
Mood
Theme
CCSS Standards
I can cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (CCSS.RL.8.1 )
I can determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of
the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective
summary of the text. (CCSS.RL.8.2)
I can analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action,
reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. (CCSS.RL.8.3)
I can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative
meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other
texts. (CCSS.RL.8.4 )
I can compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text
contributes to its meaning and style. (CCSS.RL.8.5)
I can analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through
the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor. (CCSS.RL.8.6)
I can analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the
text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors. (CCSS.RL.8.7)
Literary Analysis
Staging
The staging of a play includes its physical features—scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound, as well
as the actors' movements and the way they speak. These details are indicated in the stage
directions. Stage directions are usually printed in italics and set in brackets. The stage directions
here describe the setting of the play:
[A narrow steep flight of stairs at the back leads up to the attic. The rooms are sparsely furnished
with a few chairs, cots, a table or two.]
Directors and actors use stage directions to help them produce the drama. Readers use the stage
directions to help them visualize the characters, the scenes, and the action that would occur on
stage.
Connecting Literary Elements
The stage directions in The Diary of Anne Frank describe the on-stage
setting. In this, and other literary works, however, the events take place
in a larger setting as well—a time and place in the world—a historical
context. The historical context of a work includes the time, place,
customs, political forces, cultural attitudes, and major events of the
period. As you read, use the timeline shown here to help you track the
events that form the backdrop for the play.
Reading Strategy: Analyzing the Effect of Historical Context
The historical context of the play creates a mood, or feeling, of danger
and tension. Some characters react by helping others avoid danger.
Other characters react selfishly in the face of danger.
As you read, use these focus questions to help you analyze other effects of the historical context
on the mood and meaning of “The Diary of Anne Frank”.
1. What is human strength & courage?
2. How do you keep from giving up?
2
The Diary of Anne Frank: Part 1 Vocabulary
Practice: Match each vocabulary word to the correct definition.
Due:______ Points_____/5
aggravating
conspicuous
jubilation
subdued
loathe
1.
easily seen, apparent
2.
to hate
3.
irritating, annoying
4.
quiet and restrained
5.
great joy and excitement
Application: Fill in the correct vocabulary word in the sentences below.
Due:______ Points_____/8
1. Mrs. Frank was _________________ as she listened to her husband explain the rules of living
in the attic.
2. Peter thought that Anne was a(n)__________________ little girl because she was always
teasing him.
3. In celebration of Hanukkah, they sang the song with ____________________.
4. Jews were _________________ in public because they were forced to wear the Star of David
on their clothes.
Which vocabulary word best answers each question?
5. What word can you use to describe someone who is always bothering you?
____________________________________
6. Which word describes how you might react to something that you do not like?
____________________________________
7. What might you hear in someone’s voice if the person just won a prize?
____________________________________
8. Which word describes someone who stands out in a crowd?
____________________________________
3
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 1, Scenes 1 & 2
Top 3 Moments
Directions: Identify the top three moments from your reading and explain why each moment is important.
Important Moment
Why was this moment important?
Visualizing the Text
Directions: Illustrate an important or memorable scene from the chapters you just read and record a
caption in the space below. Your illustration must be colored and should take up the entire space.
Understanding Stage Directions
Stage Directions
What important information is revealed?
The door at the foot of the small stairwell
swings open. Mr. Frank comes up the steps into
view. He is a gentle, cultured European in his
middle years. There is still a trace of a German
accent in his speech.
He stands looking slowly around, making a
supreme effort at self control. He is weak, ill.
His clothes are threadbare.
Staging: What impression of this character do
you get from the description?
From the street below we hear the sound of a
barrel organ and children's voices at play. There
is a many-colored scarf hanging from a nail. MR.
FRANK takes it, putting it around his neck. As
he starts back for his rucksack, his eye is caught
by something lying on the floor. It is a woman's
white glove. He holds it in his hand and
suddenly all of his self-control is gone. He
breaks down, crying.
Staging: What does the staging of this scene
suggest about the room's significance to Mr.
Frank?
4
MR. VAN DAAN, a tall portly man in his late
forties, is in the main room, pacing up and down,
nervously smoking a cigarette. His clothes and
overcoat are expensive and well cut.
Staging: What do these details tell you about
the members of the Van Daan family?
MRS. VAN DAAN sits on the couch, clutching her
possessions, a hat- box, bags, etc. She is a pretty
woman in her early forties. She wears a fur coat
over her other clothes.
PETER VAN DAAN is standing at the window of the
room on the right, looking down at the street
below. He is a shy, awkward boy of sixteen. He
wears a cap, a raincoat, and long Dutch trousers,
like ''plus fours." At his feet is a black case, a carrier
for his cat.
The yellow Star of David is conspicuous on all of
their clothes.
During the following scene MR. FRANK helps
MARGOT and MRS. FRANK to hang up their clothes.
Then he persuades them both to lie down and rest.
The VAN DAANS in their room above settle
themselves. In the main room ANNE and PETER
remove their shoes. PETER takes his cat out of the
carrier.]
Staging: How do the characters' actions in this
scene move the action along?
Contrasting Points of View
Directions: Anne and Peter differ in their opinions about the Star of David. Describe these
contrasting views.
Anne’s Opinion
Peter’s Opinion
Making Inferences
Directions: Anne calls Miep and Mr. Kraler “our protectors”. She tells us they would “suffer the
same fate we would” if they were caught. Make two inferences about these two characters.
Inference #1
Inference #2
5
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 1, Scenes 3
1. Describe two situations where Anne tries to “clown around” with Peter:
o _____________________________________________________________________________
o _____________________________________________________________________________
2. Describe each character’s reaction to Anne’s behavior:
Peter’s reaction
Mrs. Frank’s reaction
3. Explain the Person vs. Person conflicts between the following characters in this scene:
Mr. Van Daan
vs.
Mrs. Van Daan
Anne
vs.
Mr. Van Daan
Anne
vs.
Mrs. Van Daan
Anne
vs.
Mrs. Frank
4. How do Mr. Frank and Mr. Van Daan feel about having Mr. Dussel hide with them?
Mr. Frank
Mr. Dussel
5. What reason do people think the Franks have moved to Switzerland?
________________________________________________________________________________
6. Mr. Dussel brings news from the outside. What are three things that he shares?
a. ________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________
6
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 1, Scenes 4
1. Describe an event that propels the action between the following characters:
Anne and Mr. Dussel
Anne and her mother
2. Do you think Anne’s “mean side” is appropriate under the current circumstances? Why or Why
not?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. Identify an activity each character longs for:
Anne
Mrs. Van Daan
4.
Peter
Mr. Dussel
Visualizing the Text
Directions: Illustrate an important or memorable scene from the chapters you just read and record a
caption in the space below. Your illustration must be colored and should take up the entire space.
7
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 1, Scene 5
Characterization: What do you learn about the character based on the following categories?
Choose a character:______________________________________
Thoughts & Emotions
What do you learn about the character based on their
dreams, wishes, hopes, fears, and/or feelings?
Actions OR Reactions
What do you learn about the character based on their
actions, their reactions to others, and/or their reaction
to the setting?
Dialogue
What do you learn about the character based on their
conversations?
Analyzing Conflict & Cause and Effect
Events Propel Action – Explain how each item causes a conflict to follow.
Topic (cause)
Conflict that Follows (effect)
Mouschi
the lampshade crash
the thief
8
Respond and Think Critically: Act One
Directions: Answer the following questions after reading Act One.
1. Why does Mr. Frank tell Miep he is leaving Amsterdam in Scene One? How does he seem to feel about
leaving?
2. What is Mr. Frank’s first reaction to the papers that Miep gives him when he returns after the war?
3. Based on what you’ve learned, what can you infer about life in the Franks’ household before they went
into hiding?
4. What frightens Anne the most about being in hiding?
5. What does Mrs. Van Daan think about the relationship between Anne and Peter?
6. Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Frank would like Anne to be more like Margot? Why or why not? Explain your
thoughts.
7. What are the major differences between how the Franks, the Van Daans and Mr. Dussel deal with the
constant danger?
8. What is the group’s main concern about the thief?
9. Why do you think the authors tell the Franks’ story in flashback?
10. What are some things Anne does that help her find strength from within?
9
The Diary of Anne Frank: Part 2 Vocabulary
Practice: Complete vocabulary activities for the following words.
stealthily
frenzy
Due:______ Points_____/4
foreboding
1.
state of intense emotion
2.
relaxed and self-controlled
3.
in a secret manner
4.
a feeling that something bad will happen
poise
Application: Fill in the correct vocabulary word in the sentences below.
Due:______ Points_____/8
1. Anne exhibited great _________________ in the face of adversity.
2. Mr. Frank had a __________________ feeling after hearing the telephone ring downstairs.
3. The Franks were in a great ____________________ after receiving a letter.
4. Someone was ___________________ stealing food from the supply in the attic.
Match the word to the synonym.
5. _____ frenzy
a. sneakily
6. _____ poise
b. premonition
7. _____ stealthily
c. composure
8. _____ foreboding
d. agitation
10
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 2, Scene 1
1. How long have they been in hiding at this point?
_________________________________________
2. Name 2 things Miep brings them for New Years:
a. ____________________________________
b. ____________________________________
3. What has happened to Mouschi?
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Person vs. Person Conflicts:
Why does Mr. Dussel cause Peter to become furious?
What causes Mrs. Van Daan to become hysterical?
What does Mr. Van Daan ask Miep to buy with some of the money from
the coat, and what does this show us about Mr. Van Daan?
4. Plot Development:
News Mr. Kraler brings about a worker named Carl:
Mr. Dussel’s opinion about the blackmail:
Mr. Frank’s decision:
The person Mr. Dussel blames for this situation:
5. Anne Speaks Out – Provide details based on the events.
What kinds of concerns does
Anne express to her mother?
How does Peter respond to
Anne’s speech?
Describe some bad news
Anne writes about at the
end of the scene:
11
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 2, Scene 2
1. What surprised you most about Anne and Peter's "date"?
2. Describe each character's attitude toward Anne's "date" with Peter:
Mrs. Frank
Mr. Dussel
Mrs. Van Daan
3. After her date with Peter, Anne writes in her diary, "Oh, don't think I'm in love,
because I'm not." Do you believe her? Explain.
Characterization: What do you learn about the character based on the following categories?
Choose a character:______________________________________
Thoughts & Emotions
What do you learn about the character based on their
dreams, wishes, hopes, fears, and/or feelings?
Actions OR Reactions
What do you learn about the character based on their
actions, their reactions to others, and/or their reaction
to the setting?
Dialogue
What do you learn about the character based on their
conversations?
12
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 2, Scene 3
Directions: Active reading helps to keep your mind focused on the material and prevents it from
wandering. Fill in the chart below with connections, comments, predictions, and questions as you
read.
Page #
Method
Active Reading Log
Connection
Comment
Prediction
Question/Answer
Connection
Comment
Prediction
Question/Answer
Connection
Comment
Prediction
Question/Answer
Connection
Comment
Prediction
Question/Answer
Connection
Comment
Prediction
Question/Answer
Characterization: What do you learn about the character based on the following categories?
Choose a character:______________________________________
Thoughts & Emotions
What do you learn about the character based on their
dreams, wishes, hopes, fears, and/or feelings?
Actions OR Reactions
What do you learn about the character based on their
actions, their reactions to others, and/or their reaction
to the setting?
Dialogue
What do you learn about the character based on their
conversations?
13
Picture the Text
Directions: Illustrate an important or memorable scene
from the chapters you just read and record a caption in
the space below. Your illustration must be colored and
should take up the entire space.
Top 3 Moments
Directions: Identify the top three moments from your
reading and explain why each moment is important.
Top 3 Moments
Why is this Important?
Analyzing Conflict and Cause & Effect
Directions: Identify one of the main conflicts that have occurred. Then explain who was involved,
the cause of the conflict and the effect or outcome.
Explain one of the main conflicts:
Who was involved?
What was the cause of this conflict?
What was the effect or outcome of this
conflict?
14
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 2, Scene 4
Important Quotations: Analyze the important quotations from this scene below by answering the
guiding questions.
Quote 1: “I don’t lose track of the days! I know exactly what day it is!”
Who is speaking?
Explain how these words provoke a decision:
Quote 2: "You wouldn't leave when I wanted to. You couldn't leave your things. You couldn't leave
your precious furniture."
Who is speaking?
Describe what these words reveal about the speaker:
Quote 3: "But when I begin to think, I get mad! Look at us, hiding out for two years. Not able to
move!"
Who is speaking?
Summarize the discussion that is going on:
Quote 4: "So, dear Diary, that means I must leave you behind."
Who is speaking?
Describe the final climax that these words reflect:
Most Important Moment
Directions: Identify the top moment from your reading and explain why it is important.
Top Moment
Why is this Important?
15
The Diary of Anne Frank: Act 2, Scene 5
1. CLUES – If you were watching this play, how would you know that Mr. Frank's long"flashback" had
ended?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. What do we find out about…
Anne’s experience in the
camp in Holland?
who (is believed to have)
turned them in?
how Mrs. Frank learned his
family members had died?
3. Dramatic Irony: What Anne states that overall, “people are really good at heart”, she didn’t know
that six million Jews would end up being killed in gas chambers or starved to death in the
concentration camps. How is thisan example of dramatic irony?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Picture the Text
Directions: Illustrate an important or memorable scene from the chapters you just read and record a caption in the
space below. Your illustration must be colored and should take up the entire space.
16
Make Generalizations about Theme
“The Diary of Anne Frank” Act Two
A theme of a literary work is the main idea of the work. Often, the theme of a literary work is implied- not
expressed in a simple statement but revealed gradually through elements such as plot, characters, point of
view, setting, symbols, and irony. In this situation, the reader must make generalizations about the theme.
Directions: Using examples from the play to make a generalization about the theme.
Example from the Play
Generalization about the Theme
Anne says, “I still believe, in spite of everything,
that people are really good at heart.”
inherent goodness in people
17
Respond and Think Critically: Act Two
Directions: Answer the following questions after reading Act Two.
1. Why is Anne concerned about Margot’s feelings toward Peter?
2. What good news about the world does Miep bring to the annex?
3. What does Anne look forward to when she gets out of the annex? Why is this an example of dramatic
irony?
4. What message do the authors seem to be sending with their description of Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan in the
play? Explain.
5. How believable is the description of Anne as a “woman with courage to meet whatever lies ahead”?
Explain your opinion.
6. After the war, how does Anne’s father learn of her death?
7. In Act 2, Scene 1, Anne says to Peter, “We have problems that no other people our age have ever had.”
What does Anne mean by this statement?
8. In Act 1, Scene 4, and again in Act 2, Scene 3, Mr. and Mrs. Frank speak in German, but the conversations
are only partially translated in the footnotes. Why do you think the author chooses not to translate them
fully?
9. How does reading Anne’s diary affect Mr. Frank’s emotionally?
10. In her diary, Anne writes, “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
What do these words reveal about Anne’s character?
18