Questions & Answers: "Amanda"

Amanda seems to be around 10 to 12 years old. This is suggested by her rebellious and dreamy behavior, which is typical of children at that age. Her responses to her mother’s instructions, like wanting to live freely and imagining herself as different characters, show her desire for independence and exploration, which is often seen in children as they approach adolescence.

The person speaking to Amanda is likely her mother. This is suggested by the tone of the instructions and the repeated reminders given to Amanda, such as telling her to sit up straight and stop daydreaming. The mother seems concerned about Amanda’s behavior and is trying to correct her, which is typical of parental guidance.

Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 are given in parentheses to show that they represent Amanda’s thoughts or inner voice, which contrasts with the instructions being given by the speaker (likely her mother). These stanzas reflect Amanda’s daydreams and desires, which are not heard directly by the speaker but are her own personal reflections. The parentheses highlight the separation between external commands and internal thoughts.

The speaker in Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 is Amanda herself, reflecting her inner thoughts and desires. In these stanzas, she imagines a life of freedom, away from the commands of the external speaker (likely her mother). It seems that Amanda is not really listening to the speaker in Stanzas 1, 3, 5, and 7, as she is lost in her own thoughts, expressing her wish to escape from the rules imposed on her.

If Amanda were a mermaid, she imagines that she would live a carefree and peaceful life in the sea, away from the constraints and instructions of others. She envisions herself swimming and enjoying the freedom of the ocean, symbolizing a life without the constant supervision and restrictions imposed by her mother.

No, Amanda is not an orphan. She says, “If I were an orphan,” as part of her daydreams about an ideal life. She imagines that being an orphan would allow her more freedom, as she wouldn't have anyone constantly telling her what to do, especially her mother. This reflects her desire for independence and escape from constant control.

Yes, Rapunzel is a fairy tale character who is locked in a tower and lets down her long hair to help others reach her. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel because she admires her freedom and isolation. In her daydream, she imagines escaping from her mother's constant instructions and living in peace, away from the pressures of daily life.

The girl, Amanda, yearns for freedom, peace, and solitude. She longs for a life where she can escape the constant nagging of her mother, who constantly instructs her. Amanda dreams of being a mermaid, a Rapunzel, or simply an unbothered individual, free from the rules of her daily life. The poem reveals that Amanda is a sensitive, imaginative, and introverted person. She wishes to break away from societal expectations and find her own space, where she can be herself without interference. The constant reminders from her mother show the conflict between Amanda's desire for freedom and the reality of her life, where she feels restricted.

In the last stanza of the poem, Amanda is not necessarily sulking or moody; rather, she is expressing her inner frustration and desire for freedom. Her silence and refusal to respond may seem like sulking, but it reflects her longing for independence and escape from the constant control of her mother. Amanda's daydreams about being a mermaid or Rapunzel show her desire to break free from the limitations placed on her. Instead of being just moody, she is internally protesting against the constraints of her daily life. The poem reveals that she is a young person trying to assert her own space and identity.