Comparing The Diary Of Anne Frank And Related Readings

Being in hiding for more than two years can bring out the best and worst in people. The Diary of Anne Frank and Related Readings by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett is a retelling of The Diary of Anne Frank in a play format. The Diary of Anne Frank and Related Readings covers the life of Anne Frank while she lived in hiding. It also details the lives of the other people she lived with in hiding. While in hiding Anne and the others lived in a secret room called the annex. In the play, The Diary of Anne Frank and Related Readings, Peter, Anne, and Mrs. Van Daan show their true colors in their time in hiding, which proves that putting people in isolation can affect their personalities.

First of all, Anne changes during her time in isolation. At the beginning of the play, Anne is very pessimistic about herself and her life. After Anne fought with her mom she states, “I’m a terrible coward. I’m so disappointed in myself”(57). This negativity is similar to Peter's when he gets into isolation. This negativity causes her to have a bad time at the start of the play. However, when Anne’s time in isolation was ending, Anne was a lot more positive. When the

VAN DAAN. (Giving it to Anne). It’s alright….but careful with it”(32). Although Mrs. Van Daan was hesitant to give Anne her coat, she still gave it to her even though she had some reservations about it. This is in large contrast to Anne and Peter at the beginning of the play because they were less kind and open to the other members in hiding. However, overall through the story, Mrs. Van Daan becomes a lot more negative. When Mr. Van Daan attempts to sell her coat, she screams, “No! No! No! Don’t you dare take that! You hear? It’s mine!”(83). Mrs. Van Daan when she is in hiding becomes more erratic and attached to her personal belongings which is different than at the start when she allowed other members of the house to touch her possessions. Mrs. Van Daan varies from Peter and Anne who grew up during their