How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
MR. FRANK: No trash must ever be thrown out which might reveal that someone is living here… not even a potato paring. We must burn everything in the stove at night. This is the way we must live until it is over, if we are to survive. (1.2)
Mr. Frank's rules are meant to be followed… if everyone wants to live through this.
Quote #2
MR. FRANK: Always remember this, Anneke. There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind. (1.2)
Mr. Frank's advice on how to escape the isolation and complete dreariness of being cooped up in the Annex makes a lot of sense. Actually, it's pretty fantastic advice for any situation.
Quote #3
MR. KRALER: Dirk… Miep's Dirk, you know, came to me just now. He tells me that he has a Jewish friend living near him. A dentist. He says he's in trouble. He begged me, could I do anything for this man—could I find him a hiding place? (1.2)
The survival of many Jews during the Holocaust depended on the kindness and courage of others who were willing to risk their lives to hide them. Mr. Kraler is one of those heroes.
Quote #4
MR. VAN DAAN: Don't tell me! He gets fatter every day! Damn cat looks better than any of us. Out he goes, tonight! (1.5)
It's survival of the fittest in Mr. Van Daan's eyes. Not even Mouschi the cat gets a free pass.
Quote #5
ANNE'S VOICE: The Van Daans' "discussions" are as violent as ever. (2.1)
And sometimes survival means the breakdown of good relationships. The Van Daans (who weren't really nice to begin with) start to get mean and nasty with each other. We can only wonder why…
Quote #6
MARGOT: Sometimes I wish the end would come… whatever it is. (2.1)
Margot's eerie thought makes us cringe. Sometimes survival means giving up completely. We can empathize with her, but it still makes us totally sad.
Quote #7
ANNE: Our stomachs are so empty they rumble and make strange noises. (2.1)
Beans for lunch, beans for dinner, beans, beans, beans—we guess having a tiny bit of food is better than no food. Too bad we can't tell Anne's stomach that.
Quote #8
ANNE: It helps a lot to have someone to talk to, don't you think? It helps you to let off steam. (2.1)
Sometimes just having an ally in your situation, someone who thinks just like you, can be the fuel you need to keep going. It's a good thing Anne has Peter to spout off to when she gets up some steam.