Final answer:
Mr. Van Daan's repeated use of 'discussion' instead of 'quarrel' in 'The Diary of Anne Frank' diminishes the intensity of conflicts, while his use of 'selfish' is ironic given his self-serving actions. These language choices reflect his character and contribute to the play's themes of civility and human behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reference to Mr. Van Daan's use of the word discussion as opposed to quarrel and his ironic use of the term selfish in the play The Diary of Anne Frank are central to understanding his character. In both lines 279-291 and lines 1271-1273, Mr. Van Daan's choice of the word discussion minimizes the seriousness of the conflicts and suggests a certain pretense at civility or rational discourse, which might not truly be present in the situation. The irony in Mr. Van Daan's use of the word selfish comes into play considering his own behavior, which is frequently self-serving. This word choice not only reveals character traits and tensions within the narrative but also reflects on the play's exploration of human behavior under stress.
The use of language in a play is a powerful tool for character development and theme exploration. Through such dialogue choices by Mr. Van Daan, the audience gains insight into the complexities and contradictions of his personality, as well as the intricacies of human relationships in the extraordinary circumstances of the play. The consistent choice of the word discussion over quarrel and the labeling of others as selfish can be seen as mechanisms that Mr. Van Daan employs to maintain a facade of control and respectability, even when his actions might not align with those values.