4. c) Dramatic Irony

There are some dramatic irony in this play throughout the acts. Some may be the things that only the audience know and some are things that the adults may know but not the children including Anne. When reading the beginning part of the play, Anne doesn't know that how the hiding would be like, and that the hiding will take away 2 years of her teenage life. Especially in the play, since Mr. Frank has a flashback, we already know that Anne died. When Anne went into hiding, she might thought of it to herself, but she didn't know that she would be killed. However she had a big dream about going to other countries and being a musician. "I'm going to be a famous dancer or singer...or something wonderful." (p. 388). However, even after Anne has started his life in the annex, she says that she doesn't really know what is going on as well as what will happen. No one knew. "I expect I should be describing what it feels like to go into hiding. But I really don't know yet myself." (p.381). Audience however, without any knowledge about this play, can probably assume that their future isn't very fortunate. Since this play is based on a true story, when people are actually in that situation, the characters don't know what will happen next. But the readers or the audience can predict what will happen by the mood of the play, narrating, or with their common knowledge of the history. Audience can know what will eventually happen. Therefore, we audience know that Anne's dream wouldn't come true. Also, we know that the thief broke into the building and then the Germans when the annex people are not very sure. There are more dramatic irony in the play, but these were the major ones. By knowing this as a fact, while watching the play or the video, I feel very bad and sorry for Anne and all the Jewish people. I makes me feel like I want to help them. Also sometimes makes me uncomfortable because I want to tell the characters to do certain things in order to stay out of trouble. However, dramatic irony makes the story line very interesting and involves the audience more into the story.