Transcript The Play of the Diary of Anne Frank Act 2, Scene 3

The Play of the Diary of Anne Frank
Act 2, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 3:
• Mr van Daan is caught
stealing food.
• Mrs Frank is so upset that
she wants to throw out
Mr and Mrs van Daan:
– “We’re all of us hungry. I
see the children getting
thinner and thinner. Your
own son Peter - I’ve heard
him moan in his sleep, he’s
so hungry. And you come
in the night and steal food
that should go to them - to
the children.” [Mrs Frank]
Act 2, Scene 3:
• Mrs van Daan blames
the food shortages on
Mr Dussel, who begins
dividing up the
remaining food equally.
• The argument
immediately ceases
with Miep’s news that
the D-Day Invasions
have begun in
Normandy.
• This brings everyone
together.
Act 2, Scene 3:
• As much as the mood is
lifted, it also darkens
with the news that the
Police have found the
radio that was stolen in
the burglery.
• If the Police trace it
back to the thief, he
might betray the
occupants to get out of
trouble.
Act 2, Scene 3:
• The themes that are
explored through the
characters and incidents
in this scene are:
– Conflict
– Betrayal
– Triumph over Adversity
Questions & Answers:
• When Mr van Daan is caught stealing bread, the others
are extremely angry yet, surprisingly, it is Mrs Frank who
is the hardest on him. Why do you think this is?
– Mrs Frank cares deeply about the children. Mrs Frank cannot
imagine anything lower than for parents to think more about
their own survival than that of their children, and be prepared
to watch them suffer.
• Mr Frank says: “We don’t need the Nazis to destroy us.
We’re destroying ourselves.” Why is everyone arguing
so much at this point?
– Tensions are very high because of the shortage of food and
anxiety over the burglar.
• Anne says: “In spite of everything, I still believe that
people are really good at heart.” Do you agree with her?
Explain.
– You tell me …