Introduction
The poem “Amanda” is written by Robin Klein. This poem deals with the story of a young girl who is continuously reminded by her mother about her mistakes. The author has beautifully described the feeling and emotions felt by the little girl. She feels controlled and dictated by her mother over every small thing. The following poem describes that children should not be controlled and should be given some freedom. Parents should allow their children to have their viewpoints and they should be given freedom of thought and expression.
Amanda and her mother
Summary
In the first stanza, her mother is pointing at her nails and telling her not to bite them. After that, her mother is complaining about her way of sitting. She is telling her to not bend her back and shoulders. Her mother complains about her lazy walk and tells her to keep the head and shoulders straight. Amanda is frustrated by all the nagging. She imagines how wonderful her life would be if she were good and had a tail instead of legs. She would swim in the ocean with the waves and go wherever she wanted.
In the second stanza, the mother is asking whether she has done her homework and cleaned her room and shoes. Here Amanda is imagining her life as an orphan. She thinks that if she were an orphan she would not have to listen to her mother, she could walk anywhere freely. She could live her life as she wanted. Amanda is so frustrated with her mother that she is imagining a life without her mother.
In the third stanza, Amand’s mother is stopping her from eating chocolates. She told her not to eat chocolate because she will get pimples. Her mother is forcing her to listen to her. Amanda is now imagining her as a cartoon character, Rapunzel. Rapunzel is captured in a tower by a witch. Amanda also wanted to live alone in a tower.
In the last stanza, Amanda’s mother warns her to stop behaving oddly. She says that she has become moody and is always in a bad mood. If anyone sees this then they will think that her mother is harassing her. If she does so, her mother will take it against her sense of dignity and rebuke her to behave appropriately as other children do. Here, Amanda’s mother nature is shown to be very dominating.
What Is the Theme of the Poem?
In “Amanda” by Robin Klein, the theme of the struggle of adolescence and the search for personal identity is highlighted through the relationship between Amanda and her mother. Amanda sees her mother as controlling, always pointing out her mistakes and making her feel bad. The poem emphasizes the importance of a parent allowing their child the freedom to grow and make mistakes. Amanda’s mother’s behavior is shown to have a negative impact on her daughter’s self-confidence and sense of identity. The poem serves as a reminder that parents should support and encourage their children, rather than being too hard on them.
Textbook Questions
1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Ans: I think she is 10 or 11 years old because she is getting scolded for reasons that a young kid would do. He is very young and immature.
2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Ans: Amanda’s mother is speaking to her and pointing out her mistakes. And she is trying to teach her good manners.
3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Ans: Stanza 2,4 and 6 are given in parentheses because they reflect thoughts of Amanda. The parenthesis makes the poem reader-friendly.
4. Who is the speaker in Stanzas 2, 4 and 6? Do you think this speaker is listening to the speaker in Stanzas 1, 3, 5, and 7?
Ans: Speaker of the stanzas 2, 4 and 6 is Amanda. she is not paying any attention to the speaker of stanzas 1, 3 and 5 because she is lost in her thoughts.
5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Ans: If she were a mermaid, she would swim in the ocean with the waves. She would be free to swim anywhere she wanted.
6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Ans: No, Amanda is not an orphan, she says so because she is so frustrated with her mother that she thinks if she were an orphan her life would be better.
7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
Ans: Yes, and she wanted to be Rapunzel because she wanted to live in a tower alone, where no one would bother her, especially her mother.
8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Ans: Amanda yearns for freedom and space for herself. She is incapable to fulfil the expectations of her parents. Amanda is a playful young child but she gets frustrated by the continuous nagging of her mother.
9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and moody?
Ans: No, she is not moody. She is just away from the regular household business and she is always indulged in her imagination.
Amanda Extra Question Answer
1. What were her first thoughts when her mother rebuked her?
Ans: Amanda wanted to be free like a mermaid, and swim with the waves wherever she pleased.
2. Amanda wants to be which cartoon character?
Ans: Amanda wants to be Rapunzel because she lived in a tower. Amanda also wanted to live alone in a tower where she was free.
3. Why did Amanda want to be an orphan?
Ans: Amanda wanted to be an orphan because then she would not have to listen to her mother and do whatever she wants to.
4. Should Parents dictate everything in a child’s life?
Ans: No, a child should be given freedom and allowed to think by himself. This would make him strong and confident and help him in future.
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