You can be afraid of pretty much anything: dogs, medicine, spiders, painting a fence… People fear cramped places and open places and places they don't even know about. The fear of enclosed spaces is called claustrophobia—you know, like getting in an elevator with a bunch of other people, a few coffins, and the backseat of a Mini-cooper.
Speaking of tight spots, the poor residents of the secret annex are literally tripping over each other in an attempt to live a "normal" life, but the fear is getting to them. One by one, they are going to have to deal with their fears as the war looms ever closer and the hazards of living on the fringe of society meet them full blast. For good reason, the fears for these people run deep and they're worth examining.
Questions About Fear
- The residents all worry about being captured and losing their lives. But what else do they worry about?
- How does each member of the Annex deal with his or her fear differently?
- Is there a right or a wrong way for the Annex residents to deal with fear? Why do you think so?
Chew on This
It's understandable, but the residents' fear causes them to become irrational and emotional.
By the end of the play, Anne has overcome her fears.