Amanda Questions and Answers
1. What is the significance of punctuation marks in language,
and why did the poet use an exclamation mark after "Amanda"? Also,
comment on the poem's title.
Answer: (i) Punctuation is a crucial aspect of grammar,
providing sense, clarity, and emphasis to sentences while organizing and
structuring writing.
(ii) The exclamation mark after "Amanda!"
indicates the mother's astonishment at Amanda's behavior. Amanda is a moody and
sulky girl, causing her mother to be upset.
2. Does the constant instruction-giving to Amanda achieve its
purpose? Explain.
Answer: No, Amanda becomes moody and sulky when her mother
bombards her with instructions. She doesn't listen to her mother and doesn't
care to follow the instructions, but she can't ignore them, so she sulks.
Parents often give excessive instructions in an attempt to make their children
well-behaved.
3. Amanda imagines herself as Rapunzel but doesn't want to do
everything Rapunzel did. Identify and explain her reasons.
Answer: Amanda wishes to be Rapunzel to enjoy a peaceful
life in a tower, free from instructions and chores. However, she doesn't want
to escape with a prince like Rapunzel. She prefers to remain in the peaceful
environment, with no instructions or tasks.
4. What message does the poet convey through the poem "Amanda"?
Answer: The poet conveys that parents, in their efforts to
raise well-behaved and mannerly children with good habits, often provide too
many instructions or nag them. Parents should use positive approaches that are
more acceptable to children. Otherwise, children may stop listening to them and
resort to daydreaming, as Amanda does.
5. Who is Amanda, and what impression do you get of her through
the poem?
Answer: Amanda is a young schoolgirl who appears to enjoy
fairy tales and stories like Rapunzel and mermaids. She dislikes excessive
instructions or nagging, causing her to sulk and become moody. Consequently,
she doesn't pay attention to her mother and indulges in daydreaming.
6. Why does Amanda dream of being an orphan?
Answer: Amanda believes orphans lead carefree lives without
anyone pestering them with instructions. They can wander the streets and make
patterns in the soft dust with their bare feet. They don't have to clean their
shoes or room or do homework.
7. Amanda imagines herself as Rapunzel but doesn't want to do
everything Rapunzel did. Identify and explain her reasons.
Answer: Amanda wants to be Rapunzel, who lived a peaceful
life in a tower. In the story, Rapunzel lets down her long, beautiful hair to
escape with the prince. However, Amanda is fascinated by Rapunzel's life in the
tower and doesn't want to leave such a peaceful environment with no
instructions or chores.
8. What causes Amanda to sulk and become moody?
Answer: Amanda sulks and becomes moody when her mother gives
her too many instructions. She doesn't want to follow them but can't ignore
them either, so she sulks.
9. How does Amanda behave at the beginning of the poem? What
does the speaker ask her not to do?
Answer: At the beginning of the poem, Amanda is seen biting
her nails and hunching her shoulders while sitting in a slouching posture. The
speaker asks her to behave normally by not biting her nails and hunching her
shoulders. She should sit up straight.
10. In her daydreams, Amanda goes to the sea. What does she
imagine herself to be?
Answer: Amanda finds the sea to be calm and peaceful. She
imagines herself as a mermaid, the sole creature in the sea, happily drifting
on the waves.
11. What are the three tasks the speaker asks Amanda to do that
she hasn't completed?
Answer: The speaker asks Amanda to finish her homework,
clean her room, and clean her shoes.
12. How does Amanda describe her life as an orphan?
Answer: Amanda says that as an orphan, she would be free to
roam the streets with soft dust under her feet. She would walk silently,
creating patterns on the soft dust with her bare feet. She believes that
silence is golden and freedom is sweet.
13. Why is Amanda forbidden to eat chocolate? How does she
behave when the speaker addresses her?
Answer: The speaker asks Amanda not to eat chocolate because
she already has acne, and eating chocolate might cause more pimples. Amanda
listens to the speaker without looking up.
14. Why does Amanda say, "I am Rapunzel"? What does
she promise not to do?
Answer: Amanda imagines herself as Rapunzel, who led a
peaceful life in a tower. She promises never to let down her bright hair, like
Rapunzel did in the story to escape with the prince, because she wants to
remain in the peaceful environment without instructions or chores.
15. What does the speaker tell Amanda in the end? What is the
speaker afraid of?
Answer: The speaker believes that Amanda is sulking and
moody, and tells her not to sulk. The speaker is afraid that people will think
Amanda is being nagged by them.
Amanda Extra Questions and Answers
16. What is the central idea of the poem?
Answer: The central idea of the poem is that children value
freedom and do not want their activities restricted. They also have their own
dream world where they prefer to spend most of their time. However, adults
often disrupt this dream world by imposing orders and instructions.
17. Do you think Amanda dislikes being controlled and instructed
to do or not do certain things? Provide a reasoned answer.
Answer: Amanda values her freedom and doesn't want it to be
restricted. She wants to live her own life without constant instructions. When
she receives orders on what to do and what not to do, she feels that her
freedom is being curtailed. Consequently, she doesn't bother to answer her
mother when receiving numerous instructions.
18. List the things Amanda's mother doesn't want her to do.
Answer: Amanda's mother doesn't want her to hunch her
shoulders and bend her body down, eat chocolates since it may worsen her acne,
or sulk because others may think she is being nagged by her mother.
19. Why does Amanda want to be a mermaid?
Answer: Amanda is an escapist who imagines herself as a
mermaid. She wants to live on an island where she can enjoy the peaceful
surroundings and the calm sea. As a mermaid, she can drift freely and happily
on the waves, away from the constant instructions and nagging she experiences
in her real life.
20. How does Amanda react to her mother's instructions?
Answer: Amanda reacts to her mother's instructions by
sulking and becoming moody. She doesn't pay attention to her mother and doesn't
answer her, retreating into her daydreams instead.
21. What is the significance of the repetition of
"Amanda!" throughout the poem?
Answer: The repetition of "Amanda!" signifies the
mother's constant attention and her continuous instructions to her daughter. It
represents the nagging nature of the mother's relationship with Amanda,
highlighting Amanda's desire for freedom from this control.
22. How does the poet use symbolism in the poem?
Answer: The poet uses symbolism in the form of Amanda's
daydreams. Rapunzel symbolizes her desire for isolation and freedom from
constant instructions, while the mermaid represents her longing for a serene
and unrestricted life. The orphan symbolizes her craving for a carefree
existence without the burden of rules.
23. What does Amanda's daydreaming suggest?
Answer: Amanda's daydreaming suggests that she is looking
for an escape from the reality of her life, where she constantly receives
instructions and feels controlled. Her daydreams allow her to explore her own
desires and aspirations, providing her with a sense of freedom and peace that
she doesn't experience in her everyday life.
24. Does Amanda's mother understand her daughter's feelings and
desires? Explain your answer.
Answer: It appears that Amanda's mother doesn't fully
understand her daughter's feelings and desires. She is more focused on ensuring
that Amanda follows the rules and behaves appropriately, which leads to her
giving constant instructions. Amanda's mother fails to recognize the negative
impact of her excessive instructions on her daughter's emotional well-being.
25. What lesson can parents learn from the poem
"Amanda"?
Answer: Parents can learn from the poem "Amanda"
that it's essential to strike a balance between guiding their children and
allowing them the freedom to explore their own interests and emotions. Instead
of constant instructions and nagging, parents should adopt more positive
approaches, respecting their children's individuality and understanding their
emotional needs. This approach can help create a healthier and more supportive
parent-child relationship.
26. How does the poem "Amanda" highlight the impact of
parental expectations on children's emotional well-being?
Answer: The poem "Amanda" showcases the emotional
distress caused by continuous instructions and high expectations from parents.
Amanda feels overwhelmed by her mother's constant nagging, which affects her
emotional well-being. This emphasizes the importance of balancing guidance with
understanding and allowing children the space to explore their own interests
and emotions.
27. What role do daydreams play in Amanda's life, and how do
they reflect her inner desires?
Answer: Daydreams serve as an escape mechanism for Amanda,
allowing her to temporarily flee from the reality of her life filled with
constant instructions. Through her daydreams of being Rapunzel, a mermaid, and
an orphan, Amanda expresses her inner desires for freedom, solitude, and a life
without rules and restrictions.
28. How does the poet Robin Klein use imagery and symbolism to
portray Amanda's emotions and desires in the poem?
Answer: Robin Klein employs vivid imagery and symbolism to
represent Amanda's emotions and desires. The characters of Rapunzel, a mermaid,
and an orphan symbolize Amanda's longing for a life free from rules,
restrictions, and constant instructions. The poet paints vivid pictures of
these imaginary worlds to emphasize Amanda's yearning for a peaceful and
unrestricted existence.
29. In the poem "Amanda," what is the significance of
Amanda's reluctance to engage with her mother's instructions?
Answer: Amanda's reluctance to engage with her mother's
instructions demonstrates her growing frustration and dissatisfaction with the
constant restrictions imposed on her. This reluctance signifies her desire for
freedom, independence, and an escape from the pressure of living up to her
mother's expectations. It also highlights the widening gap in understanding and
communication between Amanda and her mother.
30. What can readers learn about the importance of self-expression
and individuality from the poem "Amanda"?
Answer: Readers can learn from the poem "Amanda"
that self-expression and individuality are crucial aspects of a person's
emotional well-being. The poem emphasizes the importance of allowing children
the freedom to explore their own interests, emotions, and aspirations, rather
than imposing excessive rules and expectations upon them. By understanding and
supporting children's individuality, parents can foster healthier and more
nurturing relationships with their children.
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