Skip to main content

In The Diary of Anne Frank, what item cannot be worn in the annex?

None of the residents of the Annex can wear shoes during the day. 


The people in hiding cannot wear shoes because they would make too much noise.  The Annex is a hidden room over a business, so there are people there all day.  During the day, someone below might hear them.  So no one can wear shoes, except at night. 


MR. FRANK. … To Anne and Peter. Anne, Peter ... it's best that you...

None of the residents of the Annex can wear shoes during the day. 


The people in hiding cannot wear shoes because they would make too much noise.  The Annex is a hidden room over a business, so there are people there all day.  During the day, someone below might hear them.  So no one can wear shoes, except at night. 



MR. FRANK. … To Anne and Peter. Anne, Peter ... it's best that you take off your shoes now, before you forget. He leads the way to the room, followed by Margot. (Act 1, Scene 2) 



Mr. Frank tells Anne that being in the annex has “certain advantages” for her because she will never have to go outside, so she never has to wear overshoes.  She had gotten into an argument with her mother about overshoes, so her father is trying to point out the silver lining of being in hiding. 


Because there are people below during the day, they have to make as little noise as possible.  Mr. Frank is the one who regulates when they can resume normal activities.



The rest of the "family" is in the main room. Anne and Peter sit opposite each other at the centre table, where they have been doing their lessons. Mrs. Frank is on the couch. Mrs. van Daan is seated with her fur coat, on which she has been sewing, in her lap. None of them are wearing their shoes. (Act 1, Scene 3) 



Mr. Frank is standing with his shoes in his hand, waiting to give the all quiet signal.  As soon as he gives it, Mrs. Frank puts her shoes on and goes to get supper ready.  Anne makes noise, just glad that the prohibition on it has ended.  In this scene, Anne also hides Peter’s shoes to get a rise out of him. 


I’m not sure why everyone puts shoes on when the workmen leave. It seems like a big risk.  If they hear someone below, they have to take their shoes off quickly.  Shoes give them a sense of normalcy though, and they are more comfortable for standing and walking around.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more