The Diary of Anne Frank Cover Image

The Diary of Anne Frank

by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett

Start Free Trial

Student Question

In The Diary of Anne Frank, what item cannot be worn in the annex?

Quick answer:

In the annex, residents cannot wear shoes during the day to avoid making noise that might alert people in the business below. Shoes can only be worn at night when the area is quiet. Mr. Frank advises Anne and Peter to remove their shoes to prevent accidental noise. This restriction is part of the necessary precautions to ensure their hiding place remains undiscovered.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

None of the residents of the Annex can wear shoes during the day.

The people in hiding cannot wear shoes because they would make too much noise.  The Annex is a hidden room over a business, so there are people there all day.  During the day, someone below might hear them.  So no one can wear shoes, except at night. 

MR. FRANK. … To Anne and Peter. Anne, Peter ... it's best that you take off your shoes now, before you forget. He leads the way to the room, followed by Margot. (Act 1, Scene 2) 

Mr. Frank tells Anne that being in the annex has “certain advantages” for her because she will never have to go outside, so she never has to wear overshoes.  She had gotten into an argument with her mother about overshoes, so her father is trying to point out the silver lining of being...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

in hiding. 

Because there are people below during the day, they have to make as little noise as possible.  Mr. Frank is the one who regulates when they can resume normal activities.

The rest of the "family" is in the main room. Anne and Peter sit opposite each other at the centre table, where they have been doing their lessons. Mrs. Frank is on the couch. Mrs. van Daan is seated with her fur coat, on which she has been sewing, in her lap. None of them are wearing their shoes. (Act 1, Scene 3) 

Mr. Frank is standing with his shoes in his hand, waiting to give the all quiet signal.  As soon as he gives it, Mrs. Frank puts her shoes on and goes to get supper ready.  Anne makes noise, just glad that the prohibition on it has ended.  In this scene, Anne also hides Peter’s shoes to get a rise out of him. 

I’m not sure why everyone puts shoes on when the workmen leave. It seems like a big risk.  If they hear someone below, they have to take their shoes off quickly.  Shoes give them a sense of normalcy though, and they are more comfortable for standing and walking around.

Approved by eNotes Editorial