Final answer:
Act 1 of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' sets the scene in the secret Annex in Amsterdam, introducing the characters in hiding and capturing the tension and day-to-day challenges they face. It also begins to chart Anne's growth and perspectives as expressed in her diary, against the background of the Holocaust and the German occupation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Diary of Anne Frank, Act 1, portrays the beginning of the Frank family's life in hiding during World War II. Set in the secret Annex in Amsterdam, the Frank family and others live with the constant fear of discovery by the Nazis. The Act focuses on the dynamics between the characters, their struggles to maintain a semblance of normal life, and the development of Anne's character as she records her thoughts and experiences in her diary. These narrative elements are surrounded by the broader historical context of the Holocaust, highlighting the plight of Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe and the efforts of the resistance to help them.
Throughout Act 1, readers witness Anne's first impressions of life in hiding, follow the introduction of each character, and see the rising action as tensions between individuals in the Annex escalate. The Act ends without resolution, setting up the anticipation for the following Act. In the process, Anne, with her lively and optimistic spirit amidst such grave circumstances, emerges as the protagonist who provides unique personal insights into the life within the Annex.