The Diary of Anne Frank: A Play

“It’s going to be so much fun having people around. A whole other family. Won’t it, Margot? […] Like being on vacation in some strange pension or something. An adventure – romantic and dangerous at the same time!”

On the day she goes into hiding, Anne’s perspective on hiding is pointedly naïve and innocent. In Anne’s opening lines, she quotes her father, who told her not to worry and to just live her carefree life, noting that her life has never been carefree, and Hitler has been a looming threat since she was a small child. She also endured the segregation and restrictions imposed when Hitler invaded Amsterdam, but this description illustrates that Anne’s life has still not prepared her for the experience of going into hiding, which will not be like a vacation at all. This sets up the contrast between Anne at the start of the play and Anne at the end.

“I never thought I’d live to see the day a man like Mr. Frank would have to go into hiding.”

Although Mr. Frank has lost all power over his business and in the community, Mr. Kraler respects him with all the stature he once had. The Franks are vulnerable, and the power balance has swapped between Mr. Frank and his former employee, but none of that is apparent in their interactions. This speaks to both Mr. Frank as a person worthy of esteem and Mr. Kraler’s selflessness.