What makes writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne Frank?
Suggested Answer: Anne Frank found writing in a diary a strange experience because she had never written anything before and felt that no one would be interested in reading the thoughts of a young girl. However, she treated her diary as a close friend, whom she named "Kitty," and expressed her deepest emotions and experiences honestly.
Why does Anne want to keep a diary?
Suggested Answer: Anne wanted to keep a diary because she felt lonely despite having a loving family and friends. She lacked a true friend with whom she could share her deepest thoughts and feelings. Writing in the diary allowed her to express herself freely, providing comfort and a sense of companionship during difficult times.
Why did Anne think she could confide more in her diary than in people?
Suggested Answer: Anne believed she could confide more in her diary than in people because she felt that her diary, which she called "Kitty," would never judge or betray her. She thought it was safer to express her thoughts and emotions on paper, as people might misunderstand or criticize her, whereas her diary would always listen without judgment.
Why does Anne provide a brief sketch of her life?
Suggested Answer: Anne provides a brief sketch of her life to give context to her feelings and thoughts. By outlining her background, she helps readers understand her personality, relationships, and the situation she is in. This also serves to establish a deeper connection with her diary, allowing her to reflect on her experiences while in hiding.
What tells you that Anne loved her grandmother?
Suggested Answer: Anne’s affection for her grandmother is evident in her tender recollections in the diary. She recalls the comfort, wisdom, and care her grandmother provided with deep admiration, suggesting a strong emotional bond. These warm memories reveal that her grandmother held a special place in her heart, making her a cherished figure in Anne’s life.
Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed with Anne? What did he ask her to do?
Suggested Answer: Mr. Keesing was annoyed with Anne because she wrote too freely and personally in her diary, including details he felt were too informal for a student's record. He asked her to tone down the overly personal expressions and maintain a more disciplined and respectful style in her writing.
How did Anne justify her being a chatterbox in her essay?
Suggested Answer: Anne justified her chatterbox nature by explaining that talking is simply a part of who she is. In her essay, she noted that expressing her thoughts and feelings helps her understand herself and the world better. This open expression, she felt, was a natural way to cope with isolation and to keep connected with others, even in difficult times.
Do you think Mr. Keesing was a strict teacher?
Suggested Answer: Mr. Keesing comes across as a strict teacher because he criticizes Anne for her overly informal and personal diary entries. He expects a more disciplined and conventional style of writing. However, his strictness appears to be constructive, aimed at helping Anne improve her writing skills rather than merely punishing her. This blend of firmness and care characterizes his teaching approach.
What made Mr. Keesing allow Anne to talk in class?
Suggested Answer: Mr. Keesing allowed Anne to talk in class because he recognized that her chattiness was a natural part of her personality and contributed to her engagement with learning. Despite his initial annoyance, he understood that letting her express herself freely in class could enhance her confidence and communication skills, making her an active participant in classroom discussions.
Was Anne right when she said that the world would not be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old girl?
Suggested Answer: Anne’s remark reflects her self-doubt as a young girl, believing her thoughts were too trivial for the world. However, in hindsight, her honest musings have resonated deeply with readers. Her reflections capture the universal emotions of fear, hope, and resilience, proving that even the musings of a thirteen-year-old can offer valuable insights into the human condition.
There are some examples of diary or journal entries in the ‘Before You Read’ section. Compare these with what Anne writes in her diary. What language was the diary originally written in? In what way is Anne’s diary different?
Suggested Answer: The diary entries in the ‘Before You Read’ section tend to be more structured and less personal, whereas Anne’s diary is deeply intimate and reflective. Anne’s diary was originally written in Dutch. It stands out because of its raw emotional honesty, vivid descriptions, and thoughtful insights about her life and experiences in hiding, which make it more engaging and poignant than typical diary entries.
Why does Anne need to give a brief sketch about her family? Does she treat ‘Kitty’ as an insider or an outsider?
Suggested Answer: Anne provides a brief sketch of her family to give readers insight into her background and the dynamics that shape her daily life and thoughts. This context deepens the emotional impact of her diary entries. In her writing, she treats ‘Kitty’ as a trusted insider—an intimate confidante with whom she shares her most personal feelings and experiences.
How does Anne feel about her father, her grandmother, Mrs. Kuperus and Mr. Keesing? What do these tell you about her?
Suggested Answer: Anne shows deep affection and respect for her father, admiring his strength and care. She cherishes her grandmother for her warmth and comfort. Her attitude towards Mrs. Kuperus is more reserved, reflecting a typical student-teacher relationship, while she finds Mr. Keesing’s strictness challenging but useful. These varied feelings reveal Anne’s sensitivity and mature understanding of different personalities.
What does Anne write in her first essay?
Suggested Answer: In her first essay, Anne Frank writes about her own nature, particularly addressing her tendency to be a chatterbox. She explains that talking helps her process her thoughts and emotions, and though some might view her loquacity negatively, she sees it as an essential part of who she is. Her honest, self-reflective tone reveals her desire to understand herself and connect with others through expression.
Anne says teachers are most unpredictable. Is Mr. Keesing unpredictable? How?
Suggested Answer: Yes, Mr. Keesing is unpredictable. Initially, he was annoyed by Anne’s chatter and gave her an essay to write as punishment. However, he later showed a sense of humor and allowed Anne to talk again after reading her creative essay, which humorously addressed her chatterbox nature. This change in his attitude shows his unpredictability.
What do this statement tell you about Anne Frank as a person?
We don’t seem to be able to get any closer, and that’s the problem. Maybe it’s my fault that we don’t confide in each other.
Suggested Answer: This statement reflects Anne’s introspective nature. She is aware of the emotional distance between herself and others, and she is willing to take responsibility for it. It shows that she is thoughtful and sensitive about her relationships and is trying to understand her role in them, indicating her maturity and self-awareness.
What do this statement tell you about Anne Frank as a person?
I don’t want to jot down the facts in this diary the way most people would, but I want the diary to be my friend.
Suggested Answer: This statement reveals Anne’s desire for a personal connection with her diary, treating it not just as a record of events but as a confidante. It shows her need for emotional support and understanding, reflecting her loneliness and longing for companionship. Anne’s approach to the diary highlights her emotional depth and the importance she places on self-expression.
What do this statement tell you about Anne Frank as a person?
Margot went to Holland in December, and I followed in February, when I was plunked down on the table as a birthday present for Margot.
Suggested Answer: This statement shows Anne’s sense of humor and her ability to express herself playfully, even in difficult situations. It suggests that Anne has a lighthearted and witty personality, even when describing the circumstances surrounding her move to Holland. The use of "plunked down on the table" also reflects her feeling of being a gift or an afterthought, which hints at her relationship with Margot.
What do this statement tell you about Anne Frank as a person?
If you ask me, there are so many dummies that about a quarter of the class should be kept back, but teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth.
Suggested Answer: This statement reveals Anne’s strong opinions and her candid nature. She expresses frustration with her classmates, referring to them as “dummies,” and also shows her sharp observation of teachers, calling them “unpredictable.” This reflects Anne's rebellious spirit and her tendency to speak her mind, demonstrating her independent and sometimes critical personality.
What do this statement tell you about Anne Frank as a person?
Anyone could ramble on and leave big spaces between the words, but the trick was to come up with convincing arguments to prove the necessity of talking.
Suggested Answer: This statement reflects Anne's thoughtful and analytical nature. She values substance over mere talking and understands the importance of having a meaningful conversation. It shows that Anne is not just a chatterbox, but someone who can think critically and form convincing arguments. This highlights her intelligence and ability to reason logically.