Anne feels isolated and cut off from her family and the other members of the Secret Annex throughout The Diary of Anne Frank, even while the group is crammed together in shared isolation from the world. The divide between the "inner world" of the Secret Annex and the "outer world" of Holland is mirrored in the divide between Anne’s "inner world" and the "outer world" of the Secret Annex.
Questions About Isolation
- Does isolation ever bring out the best in characters? Why does it so often bring out the worst?
- How much does Anne’s isolation contribute to the development of her mind and spirit?
- Is it healthy to have such sharp distinctions between one's "inner" and "outer" lives, such as Anne experiences?
- Is Anne the only one who becomes self-reflective because of isolation?
- Does the isolation of the Secret Annex inmates have any effect on their notion of whether or not they will survive the war?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The isolation of the members of the Secret Annex causes them to consider the fact that their lives are in constant danger.
Anne’s feelings of isolation prevent her from developing emotionally; it is not until she comes to terms with her family’s real love for her that she begins to develop a healthy self-identity.