Anne Frank Act 2 Review

Anne

sensing a change in herself; starts to feel sorry about how she's treated her mother; grows closer to/ fond of Peter; sees the good in people despite what they have done; incredibly optimistic

Margot

gets uncharacteristically upset/ demands to know the news Kraler comes with at the start of Act II; supports Peter & Anne's relationship; jealous her sister has "something to live for"

Mr. Frank

tries to calm Mrs. Frank down when she's upset about Mr. VD stealing food; says Anne's bravery and optimism "puts him to shame"; is less bitter after reading her diary

Mrs. Frank

explodes when Mr. Van Daan is caught stealing food; Anne starts to recognize how horribly she's treated her mother and starts to appreciate her more

Miep

comes with a cake on New Year's Day; comforts Mr. Frank after the war (Scene 5)

Mr. Kraler

he is very stressed about the blackmailer; sick with ulcers

Mr. Van Daan

greedy, steals food, suggests Miep sell his wife's beloved fur coat

Peter

becomes less of a "lone wolf" as he grows closer to Anne; says he would be thrown out on the street with his father (noble)

Mrs. Van Daan

frequently talks about money/material goods; misses her old life; bickers with her husband; seems jealous of Anne & Peter's relationship

Dussel

continues to be selfish; doesn't seem to appreciate that the Franks took him in; always stirring the pot

Why do Miep and Mr. Kraler come to the annex in Scene 1?

Miep and Mr. Kraler come to bring "New Year's greetings"

What do Miep & Kraler bring for the people in the annex?

they bring flowers, books, newspapers, and a cake!

Explain how Mr. Dussel makes things difficult for the other members of the Secret Annex.

*He is easily agitated and upsets everyone in the annex.
*For instance, when Mrs. Van Daan is cutting the cake, he complains that she will give a bigger slice to her husband than everyone else, starting a quarrel between the adults.

What threat does Mr. Kraler tell Mr. Frank about?

A man who works in the warehouse has been asking Kraler about the Frank family (if he's heard from them/where they are)

What did the warehouse worker say that made it appear that he was blackmailing them?

*The man kept staring at the bookcase, saying he remembered a door there. *Then he asked for a raise (he's blackmailing them).

Explain how Peter and Anne's relationship has changed.

They become friends/ allies; they learn to confide in one another.
*At the start of the play, they tease one another and don't really get along-- Peter calls Anne Mrs. Quack Quack
*By the end of the play, they have deep conversations in his room about life, war, religion...

What does Mr. Van Daan do that offends the rest of the annex?

He has been stealing food!

How does Mrs. Frank react to Mr. Van Daan's actions? What does she demand of the Van Daans?

She is outraged and threatens to throw him out on the street! She says "he must never come down here again! He must never come in this room where the food is stored!"

What exciting news are the people of the annex informed of toward the end of scene III?

Miep tells them about the invasion of France by the allied forces (D-Day)

Anne tells Peter that she takes strength from telling herself that "in spite of everything, people are really good at heart." How does her attitude add to the climax of the play?

*She says this as the Green Police come to take her and the annex members away.
*This is such a tense, frightful moment, but Anne's words are calm, hopeful, and forgiving.

Why does Mr. Frank say, "She puts me to shame"?

*He says this because Anne remained so optimistic and brave throughout her entire stay in the annex and even in the concentration camp.
*He is in awe by her positivity and wishes he could be half as hopeful as his

In the dairy, Anne writes, "I want to go on living, even after my death." How is this the case?

Her diary being published all over the world has preserved Anne's optimism and experiences during the Holocaust-- she "goes on living" in the pages of her diary.

These scenes of Act 2 takes place IN the secret annex DURING the war.

Scenes 1-4

This scene takes place AFTER the war, in present day (1945)

Scene 5

Green Police (Gestapo)

Nazi police, who wore green uniforms

Auschwitz

Concentration camp Otto was at

Bergen-Belsen

The concentration camp Anne died in

Orthodox

Jews who strictly observe Jewish laws and traditions

disgruntled

angry; dissatified

inarticulate

unclear

foreboding

uneasiness; dread

pandemonium

chaos

remorse

sorrow; shame