Prepare for your Class 10 exams with our comprehensive guide on Robin Klein‘s poem “Amanda.” This post offers a detailed summary, word meanings, and a stanza-by-stanza explanation to deepen your understanding of the poem. Engage with thought-provoking questions and answers, along with extract-based MCQs for each stanza, ensuring you grasp the themes and nuances effectively. Whether you’re revising for tests or looking to enhance your appreciation of the poem, this resource is tailored for you!
Summary of the Poem Amanda by Robin Klein
The poem Amanda by Robin Klein is about a young girl named Amanda who is constantly being corrected and instructed by an adult, likely her mother. She’s told not to bite her nails, to sit up straight, to finish her homework, and to keep her room clean. Amanda feels frustrated and trapped by all these rules.
To escape, Amanda imagines herself in different worlds. She pictures being a mermaid, peacefully drifting in the sea all by herself. She imagines herself as an orphan, free to roam the streets without anyone telling her what to do. She also dreams of being Rapunzel, living quietly in a tower with no one to disturb her.
Through these fantasies, we see that Amanda longs for freedom, peace, and independence. She feels overwhelmed by the constant instructions and just wants a break from them. The poem highlights how too much control and restriction can make a child feel trapped, even if the instructions are meant to help them.
Word Meaning of the Poem
| Words | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Languid | Relaxed, without energy or effort |
| Emerald | A bright green color, similar to the gemstone |
| Sole | Only, single |
| Inhabitant | Someone who lives in a particular place |
| Blissfully | Happily, in a peaceful and content manner |
| Orphan | A child without parents |
| Roaming | Wandering or moving around without a fixed path |
| Hushed | Very quiet, almost silent |
| Tranquil | Calm, peaceful, and quiet |
| Rare | Unusual, not common |
| Sulking | Showing anger or disappointment by being silent |
| Moody | Showing frequent changes in mood, often unhappy |
| Nagged | To be repeatedly scolded or reminded in an annoying way |
| Slouch | To sit, stand, or walk with poor posture, usually with shoulders and back bent |
“Slouch” refers to a posture that is not straight or upright.
Stanza-by-stanza Explanation of the poem Amanda by Robin Klein
Stanza 1
“Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda!”
In this stanza, an adult (probably Amanda’s mother) is scolding Amanda, telling her not to bite her nails, sit with her shoulders hunched, or slouch. She’s being asked to sit up straight and behave in a more “proper” way.
Stanza 2
“(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)”
Amanda escapes into her imagination, dreaming of being a mermaid who lives alone in a peaceful, green sea. Here, she feels free and happy, floating calmly in the water without anyone to bother her.
Stanza 3
“Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes,
Amanda!”
The adult continues to give Amanda instructions, asking her if she has done her homework, cleaned her room, and even polished her shoes. These questions show the constant pressure Amanda feels to be responsible and follow rules.
Stanza 4
“(I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)”
Amanda imagines herself as an orphan, which means she would be without parents and able to do as she wishes. She imagines walking freely and silently in the streets, feeling the joy of silence and freedom, without anyone telling her what to do.
Stanza 5
“Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,
Amanda!”
In this stanza, the adult scolds Amanda for eating chocolate, reminding her that it could cause acne. The adult also tells Amanda to pay attention and look at them when they are speaking, showing how Amanda is expected to follow even more rules.
Stanza 6
“(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)”
Amanda now imagines herself as Rapunzel, a fairy-tale character who lives alone in a tower. She thinks life in a quiet tower would be peaceful and rare. She also decides that she would never let anyone climb up by her hair, suggesting she prefers to be alone and undisturbed.
Stanza 7
“Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
You’re always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at you,
Amanda!”
In the final stanza, the adult notices Amanda’s expression and tells her to stop sulking and looking so moody. The adult is frustrated and feels that others might think they are always scolding Amanda, even though they likely believe they are helping her.
Thinking About the Poem(Q&A)
- How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Amanda seems to be a young girl, probably in her early teens. We know this because she’s being reminded about things like finishing her homework, sitting properly, and keeping her room tidy—typical instructions given to young teenagers. - Who do you think is speaking to her?
The person speaking to Amanda is likely a parent or an elder, possibly her mother, who is giving her instructions and reminding her of things she should or shouldn’t do. - Why are Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 given in parentheses?
These stanzas are in parentheses because they represent Amanda’s thoughts and daydreams. They are her way of escaping the constant instructions she’s being given. - 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?
In these stanzas, Amanda herself is the speaker, imagining a world where she is free. She is not listening to the speaker in the other stanzas; instead, she’s lost in her thoughts, imagining a life of freedom and peace. - What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
If Amanda were a mermaid, she imagines she could drift peacefully in a calm, green sea, all by herself. This symbolizes her wish for solitude and freedom from rules. - Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
No, Amanda is not actually an orphan. She says this because she feels that being an orphan would give her more freedom, allowing her to do as she pleases without constant supervision and instructions. - Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
In the story, Rapunzel is a girl locked in a tower who lets her hair down for a prince to climb. Amanda wants to be like Rapunzel because she imagines life in a tower would be calm and peaceful. She dreams of being alone without anyone telling her what to do. - What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Amanda yearns for freedom, peace, and a life without constant instructions. The poem shows that Amanda feels trapped by the rules and restrictions around her and dreams of a place where she can be herself. - Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Yes, in the last stanza, Amanda might seem sulky and moody to the speaker. But this reaction is likely because she feels overwhelmed by the continuous scolding and longs for a break from it all.
Extract-based MCQs for each stanza of the poem Amanda
Stanza 1
Extract:
“Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda!”
Questions:
- What is Amanda instructed not to do in this stanza?
- (A) Bite her nails
- (B) Sit straight
- (C) Hunch her shoulders
- (D) All of the above
Answer: (D) All of the above
- What does the word “slouching” mean?
- (A) Standing tall
- (B) Sitting with a bent posture
- (C) Running fast
- (D) Smiling
Answer: (B) Sitting with a bent posture
- Who is likely speaking to Amanda in this stanza?
- (A) Her friend
- (B) Her parent or guardian
- (C) Her teacher
- (D) Her classmate
Answer: (B) Her parent or guardian
Stanza 2
Extract:
“(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)”
Questions:
- What does Amanda imagine herself to be in this stanza?
- (A) A queen
- (B) A mermaid
- (C) An orphan
- (D) Rapunzel
Answer: (B) A mermaid
- What does the word “languid” mean in this context?
- (A) Calm and relaxed
- (B) Stormy
- (C) Boring
- (D) Busy
Answer: (A) Calm and relaxed
- Why does Amanda want to be a mermaid?
- (A) To live peacefully in her own world
- (B) To explore different places
- (C) To have friends under the sea
- (D) To become famous
Answer: (A) To live peacefully in her own world
Stanza 3
Extract:
“Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes,
Amanda!”
Questions:
- What task is Amanda asked to complete in this stanza?
- (A) Clean her shoes
- (B) Finish her homework
- (C) Tidy her room
- (D) All of the above
Answer: (D) All of the above
- Which word best describes the tone of the speaker in this stanza?
- (A) Gentle
- (B) Commanding
- (C) Playful
- (D) Friendly
Answer: (B) Commanding
- Why is Amanda likely feeling frustrated?
- (A) She wants to play outside
- (B) She is tired of constant instructions
- (C) She is happy with all the tasks
- (D) She doesn’t want to be a mermaid
Answer: (B) She is tired of constant instructions
Stanza 4
Extract:
“(I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)”
Questions:
- How does Amanda describe the freedom she imagines in this stanza?
- (A) Sweet and silent
- (B) Loud and overwhelming
- (C) Peaceful and joyful
- (D) Restrictive
Answer: (A) Sweet and silent
- What does Amanda mean by calling herself an “orphan”?
- (A) She feels unloved
- (B) She wants freedom from instructions
- (C) She has no family
- (D) She loves her parents
Answer: (B) She wants freedom from instructions
- What does Amanda imagine doing in this stanza?
- (A) Playing with friends
- (B) Roaming freely without restrictions
- (C) Finishing her homework
- (D) Sitting quietly in her room
Answer: (B) Roaming freely without restrictions
Stanza 5
Extract:
“Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,
Amanda!”
Questions:
- What food item is Amanda told not to eat?
- (A) Cookies
- (B) Chocolate
- (C) Chips
- (D) Ice cream
Answer: (B) Chocolate
- What reason does the speaker give for not allowing Amanda to eat chocolate?
- (A) It will make her sick
- (B) It causes acne
- (C) It is unhealthy
- (D) It will make her tired
Answer: (B) It causes acne
- What does the speaker want Amanda to do while being spoken to?
- (A) Smile
- (B) Listen quietly
- (C) Look at them
- (D) Take notes
Answer: (C) Look at them
Stanza 6
Extract:
“(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)”
Questions:
- Who does Amanda imagine herself as in this stanza?
- (A) A queen
- (B) Rapunzel
- (C) A princess
- (D) An orphan
Answer: (B) Rapunzel
- Why does Amanda want to be like Rapunzel?
- (A) She wants to live alone peacefully
- (B) She likes the tower
- (C) She wants to meet the prince
- (D) She wants long hair
Answer: (A) She wants to live alone peacefully
- What does the word “tranquil” mean?
- (A) Busy
- (B) Sad
- (C) Calm and peaceful
- (D) Exciting
Answer: (C) Calm and peaceful
Stanza 7
Extract:
“Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
You’re always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at you,
Amanda!”
Questions:
- How does the speaker describe Amanda’s behavior in this stanza?
- (A) Happy
- (B) Moody and sulky
- (C) Energetic
- (D) Focused
Answer: (B) Moody and sulky
- What does the word “nagged” mean in this context?
- (A) To encourage someone
- (B) To repeatedly scold or remind
- (C) To congratulate someone
- (D) To ignore someone
Answer: (B) To repeatedly scold or remind
- Why does the speaker feel Amanda looks moody?
- (A) Because Amanda feels tired
- (B) Because Amanda is upset with the constant instructions
- (C) Because Amanda wants more homework
- (D) Because Amanda is hungry
Answer: (B) Because Amanda is upset with the constant instructions
Critical Analysis of “Amanda”
Robin Klein’s poem Amanda explores the emotions and frustrations of a young girl who feels misunderstood and restricted by constant instructions from adults, especially her mother. The poem reflects Amanda’s desire for freedom, independence, and the simple joys of childhood.
Key Themes
The main theme of Amanda is the clash between a child’s need for freedom and the expectations set by adults. Through the poem, Klein suggests that constant scolding and correction can have a negative impact on a child’s imagination and happiness. Amanda wants to express herself freely, but the rules and restrictions around her make her feel trapped.
Structure and Style
The poem uses a simple structure with short stanzas where Amanda’s mother gives instructions, followed by Amanda’s imaginative thoughts. When her mother speaks, the language is strict and controlling, telling Amanda to sit straight, not to bite her nails, and not to hunch her shoulders. In contrast, Amanda’s inner thoughts are dreamy and full of fantasy, where she imagines herself as a mermaid, an orphan, and even Rapunzel, free from any rules.
Symbolism
Each of Amanda’s fantasies represents her wish for escape. For example:
- The Mermaid: Amanda imagines herself as a mermaid drifting in the ocean, symbolizing her desire for freedom and peace.
- The Orphan: She imagines being an orphan, which shows her wish to live without anyone constantly telling her what to do.
- Rapunzel: She dreams of being Rapunzel, a girl in a tower, where she can live alone in peace without anyone interfering with her life.
Message
The poem sends a message to parents and adults about the importance of balancing guidance with freedom. While discipline is important, too much criticism and restriction can suppress a child’s natural creativity and sense of joy. Amanda’s fantasies are her way of coping with a world where she feels judged and controlled.
Conclusion
In Amanda, Robin Klein highlights a universal issue: the need for children to feel understood and free. The poem encourages adults to remember the value of letting children explore, imagine, and enjoy their childhood without too many restrictions.
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