Class 10 English :: Lesson – Amanda ( Poem)
Summary of the Poem “Amanda”
“Amanda” is a poem about a young girl named Amanda who is constantly scolded by her mother for various behaviors. Her mother criticizes her for daydreaming, being quiet, and not doing things she is supposed to do. However, Amanda’s inner thoughts and fantasies reveal that she is longing for freedom and a life where she can make her own choices.
Throughout the poem, Amanda’s mother tries to instruct and correct her, but Amanda’s responses reflect her desire to escape from her reality into a world of imagination. The poem highlights the difference between the mother’s expectations and Amanda’s desire for independence, and it illustrates the frustration children may feel when they are told what to do constantly.
The poem ends with Amanda drifting into her own world, where she can be free from the rules and constraints imposed upon her.
Themes of the Poem
- Freedom and Independence:
- Amanda longs for freedom from her mother’s constant instructions. She dreams of living on her own terms, free from the rules that restrict her.
- Childhood and Imagination:
- The poem highlights the power of a child’s imagination. Amanda retreats into her daydreams, where she imagines herself as a carefree, independent person, away from her mother’s reprimands.
- Parental Expectations and Control:
- Amanda’s mother continuously gives her instructions and lectures her, expecting her to behave in a certain way. The poem critiques the control that parents sometimes exert over their children.
- Rebellion and Silence:
- Amanda’s silence is a form of rebellion against her mother’s strictness. She doesn’t voice her desires directly but shows her discontent through her refusal to engage with her mother’s criticisms.
Summary of the Stanzas
- Stanza 1:
- Amanda’s mother scolds her for being sulky and not listening to instructions. She tells Amanda not to slouch and to keep her posture straight. However, Amanda’s mind drifts away from her mother’s reprimands to a dream world.
- Stanza 2:
- The mother continues to reprimand Amanda for chewing her nails, which is a bad habit. She tells Amanda to stop daydreaming and be more responsible. In this stanza, we get a glimpse of Amanda’s desire for freedom. She dreams of being a mermaid, living in the water, free from all worries and constraints.
- Stanza 3:
- Amanda’s mother tells her that she is always talking, behaving improperly, and being too quiet. Amanda, however, dreams of a different life. She imagines herself as an orphan living alone in a cozy attic, free from parental control and rules.
- Stanza 4:
- The final stanza reveals Amanda’s deep longing for freedom. She envisions herself as a carefree, free-spirited person who doesn’t have to follow rules. She imagines walking barefoot on the streets, unaffected by the judgments or expectations of others. The poem ends with Amanda lost in her dreams of independence.
Character Analysis
- Amanda:
- Amanda is a young girl who is constantly criticized and told how to behave. She is depicted as a rebellious and imaginative child. Rather than conforming to the expectations set by her mother, she escapes into her fantasies, where she finds peace, freedom, and autonomy. She is not openly defiant but expresses her desire for freedom through silence and daydreaming.
- Amanda’s Mother:
- Amanda’s mother is strict and controlling. She constantly scolds Amanda for minor things and tries to impose societal norms and behaviors on her. She represents the authoritative, demanding figure in Amanda’s life who doesn’t seem to understand her child’s need for freedom.
Poetic Devices
- Alliteration:
- The repetition of consonant sounds in close proximity is used to create rhythm and emphasize certain words.
- Example: “Stop that sulking at once.”
- Imagery:
- The poem uses vivid imagery to describe Amanda’s dreams and fantasies, allowing the reader to visualize the alternate worlds she longs to live in.
- Example: “I am a mermaid in a sea of silence,” “an orphan living in a small attic.”
- Metaphor:
- The metaphor of “a mermaid in a sea of silence” is used to describe Amanda’s ideal life, where she is free and at peace with herself, away from the world of rules and expectations.
- Repetition:
- The repetition of the mother’s commands and Amanda’s response of silence reinforces the conflict between the mother’s expectations and Amanda’s desires for independence.
- Example: “Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!”
- Contrast:
- There is a stark contrast between Amanda’s reality (constrained by her mother’s rules) and her fantasy world (full of freedom and independence). This contrast highlights her inner conflict and desire to break free.
Message of the Poem
The poem portrays the conflict between parental control and a child’s desire for freedom. It conveys the message that while parents may have good intentions, they should also recognize the importance of allowing children to explore their own thoughts, dreams, and desires. It emphasizes the need for balance between guidance and freedom, and the importance of respecting a child’s individuality and need for independence.
Conclusion
In “Amanda,” the poet Robin Klein presents a young girl’s yearning for freedom in a world where she is constantly under her mother’s scrutiny. Through Amanda’s daydreams, the poem highlights the tension between parental expectations and a child’s need for personal space and autonomy. The poem encourages us to reflect on the pressures children face and the importance of understanding their need for self-expression and independence.
Vocabulary
- Beseeching – urgently and fervently asking for something (e.g., “Amanda, stop daydreaming.”)
- Example: “She beseeched her friend to help her.”
- Taut – stretched or pulled tight (e.g., “her posture was taut with tension”).
- Example: “The rope was taut as it held the heavy load.”
- Glistening – shining with a soft, reflected light (e.g., “The ocean was glistening in the sunlight”).
- Example: “Her hair was glistening with droplets of water.”
- Whining – making a high-pitched, complaining sound (e.g., “Amanda’s mother kept whining at her to clean up”).
- Example: “The dog was whining because it wanted to go outside.”
- Melancholy – a feeling of sadness or sorrow (e.g., “Amanda’s face reflected a melancholy mood”).
- Example: “There was a sense of melancholy in his voice after the loss.”
- Dismal – gloomy, depressing (e.g., “The weather was dismal, with heavy rain and clouds”).
- Example: “The room looked dismal with no decorations.”
- Desolate – empty, barren, or uninhabited (e.g., “The beach looked desolate at night”).
- Example: “The town appeared desolate after the hurricane.”
- Scornful – showing contempt or disdain (e.g., “Her tone was scornful as she spoke to her brother”).
- Example: “He gave a scornful laugh when he heard the bad news.”
Word-Notes
- Amanda – The central character of the poem, who is a young girl, portrayed as someone who feels trapped and frustrated by the constant instructions and demands of her mother.
- Her mother – She is the speaker in the poem who keeps scolding Amanda, giving her instructions, and asking her to follow rules. This creates a sense of restriction for Amanda.
- Daydreaming – Amanda’s form of escape, where she imagines herself in a free and unburdened world away from the nagging and demands of reality.
- Imperative – The tone of the mother’s speech is imperative as she keeps instructing and reprimanding Amanda about various things like posture, behavior, and duties.
- Rebellion – Amanda’s desire to rebel against the constraints imposed by her mother is reflected in her fantasies and daydreams.
- Freedom – The theme of freedom is central to the poem. Amanda craves freedom from the control and scolding of her mother.
Textual Question-Answers
Q1. Why is Amanda constantly being scolded by her mother?
Answer: Amanda is constantly being scolded by her mother because she is not following the instructions given to her. Her mother asks her to sit properly, stop daydreaming, speak politely, and keep her surroundings clean. However, Amanda resists these constant commands, and this is why her mother continues scolding her.
Q2. What does Amanda imagine in her daydreams?
Answer: In her daydreams, Amanda imagines herself in various free and peaceful settings. She dreams of being a mermaid in the sea, living a carefree life away from the scolding of her mother. She also imagines herself living in a peaceful, solitary place, far away from the mundane rules of her life.
Q3. What is the tone of the mother’s speech in the poem?
Answer: The tone of the mother’s speech in the poem is imperative, reprimanding, and scolding. She is constantly instructing Amanda on how to behave, sit, walk, and speak. She tries to correct Amanda’s actions repeatedly, which reflects her authoritarian approach to parenting.
Q4. How does Amanda react to her mother’s scolding?
Answer: Amanda reacts to her mother’s scolding by withdrawing into her world of imagination and daydreams. Instead of complying with her mother’s demands, she imagines herself in idealized, free spaces where she is not constrained by rules and restrictions. This shows Amanda’s desire to escape the constant reprimands and to seek freedom.
Q5. What is the central theme of the poem “Amanda”?
Answer: The central theme of the poem is freedom vs. restriction. Amanda desires freedom from the constant scolding and control imposed by her mother. She escapes into her imagination, where she envisions a life of peace and solitude, away from the rules and instructions of her everyday life. The poem also touches on themes of childhood and the conflict between a child’s desire for independence and the authority of parents.
Q6. Why does Amanda’s mother keep repeating the same instructions?
Answer: Amanda’s mother keeps repeating the same instructions because she wants her daughter to conform to societal norms and behave in an acceptable manner. She wants Amanda to act properly, be polite, and follow the rules. The repetition of instructions signifies her persistent attempts to control Amanda’s behavior and teach her discipline.
Q7. What does the mother’s scolding reveal about her character?
Answer: The mother’s scolding reveals that she is strict, authoritarian, and concerned about her daughter’s behavior. She believes in maintaining control and ensuring that Amanda behaves in a way that conforms to societal expectations. Her repeated instructions show that she is not willing to let Amanda be free or independent, but rather wants her to follow certain standards of conduct.
Q8. What is the significance of the line “Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!”?
Answer: The line “Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!” is significant because it represents one of the many instructions that Amanda’s mother gives, which Amanda perceives as unnecessary and controlling. It reflects how the mother is concerned with Amanda’s external behavior and appearance, which makes Amanda feel frustrated and suffocated. It is also a subtle comment on the tension between a child’s freedom and parental control.
Extra short questions and answers:-
Q1. Who is the speaker in the poem “Amanda!”?
Answer: The speaker in the poem is Amanda’s mother, who scolds her throughout the poem.
Q2. What does Amanda want to do?
Answer: Amanda wants to escape the constant scolding and live freely, without restrictions.
Q3. Why is Amanda not allowed to daydream?
Answer: Amanda is not allowed to daydream because her mother believes she should be focused on the tasks and behave in a proper manner.
Q4. What does the mother instruct Amanda to do?
Answer: The mother instructs Amanda to sit straight, stop biting her nails, speak politely, and not to daydream.
Q5. What is Amanda’s reaction to her mother’s scolding?
Answer: Amanda reacts by retreating into her daydreams, imagining herself in a place where she is free from scolding and restrictions.
Q6. What does Amanda imagine herself to be in her daydreams?
Answer: In her daydreams, Amanda imagines herself as a mermaid swimming in the sea, living freely and peacefully.
Q7. What does the poem reflect about childhood?
Answer: The poem reflects the tension between a child’s desire for freedom and the control or restrictions imposed by parents.
Q8. What does the mother’s repeated scolding show?
Answer: The mother’s repeated scolding shows her strictness and desire to impose discipline and control on Amanda.
Q9. What is the tone of the poem?
Answer: The tone of the poem is reprimanding, with the mother scolding Amanda and instructing her on how to behave.
Q10. How does Amanda wish to escape from her reality?
Answer: Amanda wishes to escape from her reality by imagining herself in different, carefree scenarios, like being a mermaid or living alone in peace.
Grammar topics
1. Imperatives
Imperative sentences are used to give commands, instructions, or requests. In the poem, Amanda’s mother constantly uses imperative sentences to instruct her. These sentences usually have the subject implied, which is “you.”
- Examples from the poem:
- “Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!”
- “Sit up straight, Amanda!”
- “Stop that sulking!”
Explanation:
- In these sentences, the speaker (the mother) is commanding or advising Amanda to stop doing something or to behave in a certain way. These are direct commands with no subject explicitly stated.
2. Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. In the poem, these adverbs are used to describe the actions that Amanda’s mother wants her to do.
- Examples:
- “Sit up straight.”
- “Walk like a lady.”
Explanation:
- The adverbs “straight” and “like a lady” describe how Amanda should sit and walk. These adverbs modify the verbs and give more detail about how the actions should be performed.
3. Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense is used to describe actions happening at the moment or ongoing actions. It is formed with am/are/is + verb-ing.
- Examples from the poem:
- “You are always sulking.”
- “You are trying to avoid work.”
Explanation:
- These sentences describe actions that are currently happening. The present continuous tense indicates that Amanda’s sulking and avoidance of work are ongoing actions, which frustrate her mother.
4. Modal Verbs
Modal verbs express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. In the poem, the mother uses modal verbs to express her authority or expectations.
- Examples from the poem:
- “You should eat your food.”
- “You must keep quiet.”
Explanation:
- “Should” and “must” indicate what Amanda is expected to do. “Should” expresses a recommendation or suggestion, while “must” expresses a strong obligation or necessity.
5. Direct and Indirect Speech
In the poem, direct speech is used to convey the exact words spoken by the characters, specifically the mother.
- Example of Direct Speech:
- “Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!”
- Example of Indirect Speech:
- The mother told Amanda not to bite her nails.
Explanation:
- Direct speech involves quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, while indirect speech paraphrases what was said.
6. Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought.
- Examples from the poem:
- “Amanda is daydreaming.”
- “She is sulking.”
Explanation:
- These are simple sentences because they consist of a single independent clause with a subject (Amanda/She) and a predicate (is daydreaming/is sulking).
7. Negative Sentences
Negative sentences are used to express the negation of an action or a statement.
- Examples from the poem:
- “Amanda does not want to follow her mother’s commands.”
- “She does not care about the rules.”
Explanation:
- In these sentences, the negative form of the verb (“does not” or “doesn’t”) is used to indicate that Amanda is not willing to follow the instructions or behave as her mother desires.
8. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns indicate ownership or possession.
- Example from the poem:
- “Her thoughts are of freedom and escape.”
Explanation:
- “Her” is a possessive pronoun used to show that the thoughts belong to Amanda. This demonstrates ownership of her thoughts and desires for freedom.
9. Question Forms
Question forms are used to ask questions. In the poem, Amanda’s mother asks questions to express her concern or to scold Amanda.
- Examples:
- “Why don’t you listen to me?”
- “What are you thinking, Amanda?”
Explanation:
- These questions are used to inquire about Amanda’s behavior and to draw her attention back to the things she is neglecting or ignoring. The questions are rhetorical, reflecting the mother’s frustration.
10. Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is made by joining two independent clauses with a conjunction (such as “and,” “but,” “or”).
- Examples:
- “Amanda is daydreaming, but she is also feeling trapped.”
- “She wishes to be free, and she imagines herself in a world without restrictions.”
Explanation:
- These sentences combine two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, joined by conjunctions like “but” or “and.”
11. Simple Present Tense
The simple present tense is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, or regular occurrences.
- Examples from the poem:
- “Amanda listens to her mother.”
- “She feels frustrated with the constant scolding.”
Explanation:
- These sentences describe actions or states that are habitual or general. The simple present tense is used here to describe Amanda’s ongoing feelings and responses to her mother’s scolding.
12. Exclamation Marks
Exclamation marks are used to show strong emotions, surprise, or emphasis in a sentence.
- Examples from the poem:
- “Amanda! Don’t bite your nails!”
Explanation:
- The exclamation mark is used to emphasize the mother’s frustration or urgency in asking Amanda to stop a particular behavior.
