The Diary of Anne FrankDramatized by Frances Goodrich and Albert HackettBased upon the book Anne Frank: Diary of a Young GirlPresented by Kristen Brannon, Brianna Mead, and Austin Paniucki

Albert Hackett & Frances Goodrich

Genre/First Performance

This play was first performed on October 5, 1955 in the Cort Theater in New York City.

Plot SummaryPlot Synopsis- The Franks and the Van Daans are forced to hide in the Frank’s attic during the holocaust in the Netherlands. A girl named Meip and her father, Mr. Kraler, both Dutchman, bring the Franks and Van Daans supplies in the attic. Anne and the rest of the characters are under even more stress and tension when they take in a dentist named Mr. Dussel.

Inciting IncidentWhen the Franks invite Mr. Dussel into the house, tension in the house increases and creates conflict between Mr. Dussel and Anne, as well as with Peter

ClimaxThe climax occurs when the Franks, Van Daan, and Mr. Dussel are discovered hiding in the attic

Three Major Issues1. Fighting against your basic and learned nature

2. Being shut off from society

3. Adolescence and the changing relationships resulting from growing up

ThemeA major theme in The Diary of Anne Frank is isolation. The Franks, Van Daans, and Mr. Dussel must hide alone in an attic for two years, and their only company is each other.

In addition to the obvious isolation between the families and the outside world, Anne feels an internal isolation. It’s hard for Anne to connect with people, and she feels as though no one understands her.

Important CharactersAnne Frank- The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Frank. She is intelligent, charming and, funny. To others she is an annoyance. By the end of the play, she grows from a clueless young 13 year old girl to a smart, self-aware 15 year old.

Otto Frank- Anne’s father. He is practical and kind and Anne feels closer to him then anyone. Otto is the only member of the family to survive the war.

Peter Van Daan- The Van Daan’s only son. Shy, awkward and has a little temper, he does not pay much attention to Anne until they have been living in the annex for almost two years. They develop a good friendship that leads them to being more than just “friends”.

ProtagonistThe protagonist of this play is Anne Frank. We witness her struggle to be accepted and connect with people. We want her to succeed and to not get captured. We root for Anne.

AntagonistThe antagonist of the play is Nazi Germany itself .It is because Germany occupied Holland and wanted to destroy all the Jews that the Franks, van Daans, and Mr. Dussel went into hiding.

SettingThe play takes place in The Netherlands between the years of 1942 and 1944. This is during the Holocaust.

Scene Selection

Vocabulary WordsHanukkah- Jewish holiday celebration, gifts exchanged, candles lit in a ceremonious manner, dinner shared and songs sung

Holocaust- genocide of European Jews and others

Annex- auxiliary building

Nazi-follower of Hitler

Rucksac- knapsac, backpack

Ostentatiously- noticeable, on purpose

Jubilant-joyful, happy

Sustenance-life, nourishment

Capitulation-surrendering

Fatalist-accepts things

Liberate-free

Meticulous-picky, finicky, careful

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