Question

How does the author balance the suspense of scene 4 with the sadness of scene 5?​

Answer 1

According to a different source, this question refers to the play The Diary of Anne Frank.

In scenes 4 and 5 of Act 1, the author is able to achieve a balance between a feeling of suspense in scene 4 with a feeling of sadness in scene 5.

In scene 4, suspense is introduced through the device of Anne's nightmares. We learn that Anne dreamt that her family was captured by the "green police." This nightmare introduces foreshadowing. The author builds suspense by suggesting that Anne's family will indeed be captured at some point.

This suspense of scene 4 is followed by the sadness of scene 5. This occurs when it is time to celebrate Hanukkah in the Annex. In the middle of the celebration, a noise is heard downstairs, which leads everyone to believe that they are about to be captured. This establishes a clear link with the suspense of the previous scene. The reader is able to link this situation with that of Anne's nightmare, thus balancing the two events in his mind. Eventually, the families realize that a robber came in and most likely heard them. They worry about the robber going to the police and informing them of the Annex. As now they are fearful about being captured, the rest of their Hanukkah is a sad affair.