______Analyzing Dialogue ______in The Diary of Anne Frank: Act I: ii ______Dialogue is a conversation between or among characters. Dialogue is used for two main purposes:

Propel Action: Dialogue is used to propel the action of the plot, meaning it develops or explains something happening in the story.

Reveal Character: Dialogue is used to reveal something significant about a character’s personality, behavior, thoughts, or beliefs.

Directions: Study the following examples of dialogue. Determine if the example is propelling the action of the plot or revealing something about a character. If you think that the dialogue is showing both purposes, choose which one you think is more strongly evident or may be more thoroughly explained. In the last column, explain how the plot is developed specifically in this dialogue, OR explain what is revealed about one of the characters speaking. The first one is done for you.

Dialogue Purpose of Dialogue Your Explanation Mrs. Frank: It’s illegal, then, the This dialogue reveals Mrs. Frank to ration books? We’ve never done Propels Action OR Reveals Character be a moral and concerned person. She anything illegal. (circle one) is worried about doing something illegal even though their lives are being threatened. Mr. Kraler: Miep or I, or both of us, will be up each day to bring you food and news and find out what your needs are. Tomorrow I’ll get you a Propels Action OR Reveals Character better bolt for the door at the foot of (circle one) the stairs. It needs a bolt that you can throw yourself and open only at our signal. (To Mr. Frank) Oh…You’ll tell them about the noise?

Mr. Frank: …So, to be perfectly safe, from eight in the morning until six in the evening we must move only Propels Action OR Reveals Character when it is necessary, and then in (circle one) stockinged feet. We must not speak above a whisper. We must not run any water.

Peter: …In the school yard. You were always in the middle of a bunch of kids. Anne: Why didn’t you ever come Propels Action OR Reveals Character over? (circle one) Peter: I’m sort of a lone wolf. (He starts to rip off his Star of David.)

Anne:…I wonder what our friends will think when we don’t show up today? Peter: I didn’t have any dates with Propels Action OR Reveals Character anyone. (circle one) Anne: Oh, I did. I had a date with Jopie to go and play ping pong at her house. Do you know Jopie de Waal? Peter: No. *They are not referring to romantic dates; they are talking about hanging out with friends. Anne: Jopie’s my best friend. I wonder what she’ll think when she telephones and there’s no answer?...Probably she’ll go over to the house…I wonder what she’ll think…we left everything as if we’d Propels Action OR Reveals Character suddenly been called (circle one) away…breakfast dishes in the sink…beds unmade. (As she pulls off her star, the cloth underneath shows clearly the color and form of the star.) Look! It’s still there!

Mr. Frank: It’ll be hard, I know. But always remember this, Anneke. There are no walls, there are no Propels Action OR Reveals Character bolts, no locks that anyone can put (circle one) on your mind.

What is the importance of the following stage directions?

Mr. Frank stops abruptly as he hears the sound of marching feet from the street below. Everyone is motionless, paralyzed with fear. Mr. Frank goes quietly into the room on the right to look down out of the window. Anne runs after him, peering out with him. The tramping feet pass without stopping. The tension is relieved. Mr. Frank, followed by Anne, returns to the main room and resumes his instructions to the group.

How does the following dialogue create dramatic irony?

Mr. Frank: …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. Mrs. Frank: Until it is over.

What does this dialogue reveal about Anne’s relationship with her parents?

Mrs. Frank: You’re sure…? I could help…And Anne hasn’t had her milk… Mr. Frank: I’ll give it to her. (To Anne and Peter) Anne, Peter...it’s best that you take off your shoes now, before you forget. Mrs. Frank: You’re sure you’re not tired, Anne? Anne: I feel fine. I’m going to help Father.