The Diary of Anne Frank A Summary

Diary of Anne Frank Setting: Amsterdam, 1940s Act 1 begins November of World War II has ended. Otto Frank visits the rooms in Amsterdam where, he, his family, and his friends hid from the Nazis for two years. He plans to leave Amsterdam for good. He is sad and bitter.

While he is in this room, he comes across Anne’s diary and the point of view shifts. Everything Anne experienced from thoughts to emotions during that time come flooding back into his mind. A flashback to the Franks’ time in hiding begins.

The Franks were joined by the Van Daans, their son, Peter in a room in Mr. Frank’s former office building. Miep Gies and Mr. Kraler, former employees of Mr. Frank’s, provide food and supplies. They also protect them from discovery.

In their new cramped quarters, the families set up rules for their daily activities. ◦ Anne and Peter study with daily lessons. ◦ Eventually they are joined by another person—Jan Dussel. ◦ Anne often fights with her mother. She remains close to her father. ◦ One night, a thief breaks into the building and the tenants know they have been heard upstairs.

Act 2 The families have now been hiding for 17 months. Anne and Peter have become friends. Obtaining food is now a greater challenge. Fear and boredom are now creating great tension in the secret annex. News that the war might soon be ending is bringing some hope.

With the news of the war, everyone is apologizing for poor behavior. Anne is making plans for her return to a normal life. ◦ She never sees this life.

August 1944 ◦ The inhabitants of the Secret Annex are arrested. ◦ Anne leaves the diary behind in the hope that someone will discover it and keep it safe.

The Final Scene ◦ Shifts back to November ◦ Mr. Frank concludes his story as the only member of the group who lived in that Secret Annex to survive the concentration camps.