The Diary of Anne Frank Theme of Religion

Anne Frank’s non-fiction account of her time in hiding doesn’t give us much information on Judaism as a religion. In fact, religion plays a somewhat subtle role in Anne’s story. “Christian” and “Jew” are more political than religious categories. While Anne identifies herself as a member of the Jewish religion, she reads avidly about a variety of religious perspectives, and is in the process of deciding what God and religion mean to her on a personal level.

1. Does Anne’s increased awareness of her mortality and the suffering of others influence her religious outlook? If so, in what ways? If not, why not?
2. To what extent is religion a part of life in the Secret Annex?
3. What are some of the relationship between Christians and Jews in Holland, according to Anne?
4. In what ways could Anne be considered a religious person? What about the other people in the Annex?

Anne is not a particularly religious person when she begins the diary, but religion becomes more and more important to her as time passes.