Name ______Section ______

The Diary of Anne Frank Act 2 Study Guide

Vocabulary

1. / inarticulate / (adj.) lacking the ability to express oneself
2. / onslaught / (n.) an onset, vigorous assault; large amount of something
3. / forlorn / (adj.) desolate or dreary; lonely, miserable, hopeless
4. / enmity / (n.) a feeling ofhostility; hatred; extreme animosity
5. / convulsive / (adj.) jerky; having spasms
6. / apprehension / (n.) dread; suspicion or fear of misfortune or evil.
7. / tattered / (adj.) worn to shreds; ragged; dressed in shabby clothing
8. / reverie / (n.) absentminded dreaming while awake; daydream
9. / enrapture / (v.) to delight; hold spellbound
10. / ravenous / (adj.) extremely hungry, greedy for something
______/ ______
______
______/ ______
______
______/ ______
______

Focus Questions

Scene 1

  1. Approximately how much time has passed between then end of Act 1 and the beginning of Act 2? How did the dramatists show the passing of time?
  1. Describe an incident which shows Mr. Dussel’s disagreeable personality.
  1. Describe an incident which shows Mr. Van Daan’s greed.
  1. Describe an incident which shows Mr. Kraler and Miep’s generosity.
  1. What new problem does Mr. Kraler present to the inhabitants of the annex?
  1. Why does Anne flare up at her mother?
  1. How does Anne’s anger bring her closer to Peter?
  1. In their private conversation, what are some of the things Anne and Peter reveal about themselves?

Scene 2

  1. In what ways has Anne changed since the beginning of the previous scene? What has caused this change?
  1. How do Anne and Margot differ? In what ways does Margot show mature good sense when talking with Anne? Does their relationship seem natural?
  1. What accounts for the closer relationship between Mrs. Frank and Margot?
  1. How does Anne change her behavior towards Mrs. Van Daan? How does Mrs. Van Daan respond?

Scene 3

  1. Why does Mrs. Frank become enraged for the first time? Do you think her anger is justified?
  1. What reason does Mrs. Van Daan give for her husband’s behavior?
  1. When/How does Peter display his loyalty to his father?
  1. Mr. Frank says, “We don’t need the Nazis to destroy us. We’re destroying ourselves.” What attitudes and actions of characters have led Mr. Frank to make this statement?
  1. What news does Miep bring? How does the news change relationships in the annex?
  1. By the end of the scene, what are your feelings toward Mr. Van Daan? Mrs. Frank?
  1. With what mixture of good and bad news does Anne conclude the scene?

Scene 4

  1. Why does Mr. Dussel want Mr. Frank to answer the phone? Why does he refuse?
  1. How is the tension between the Van Daans revealed?
  1. How does Anne attempt to cheer Peter up? What does she say gives her faith?
  1. How does Peter respond to Anne’s idea?
  1. Mr. Frank says, “For the past two years we have lived in fear. Now we can live in hope.” What does this statement show about his character?
  1. How do the inhabitants behave upon the arrival of the police? Is this what you would have expected?

Scene 5

  1. What is implied by Mr. Frank’s reading Anne’s diary entry, then saying, “She puts me to shame” ?
  1. What is the time relationship between the very first scene and last scene of the play?