Complete guide to "Amanda" for English students. Below you will find important questions and model answers to help you prepare.
Try our interactive quiz on this topic to get instant AI feedback.
How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
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.
In the poem 'Amanda', who is most likely speaking to Amanda throughout the poem?
The speaker in the poem "Amanda" is most likely her mother. This is strongly suggested by the constant tone of instruction, correction, and repeated reminders to Amanda, such as telling her to sit up straight and stop daydreaming, which are characteristic of parental guidance and concern for a child's upbringing.
In the poem 'Amanda', why are Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 given in parentheses?
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.
In the poem 'Amanda', 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 the poem 'Amanda', 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 appears that Amanda is not truly 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.
What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
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.
Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
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.
In the poem 'Amanda', the child Amanda expresses a desire to be Rapunzel. Briefly describe the story of Rapunzel, and explain why Amanda might wish to be her.
Rapunzel is a fairy tale character who is locked in a tower by a witch, with her long hair being the only means of entry. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel because, in her daydream, she envisions the isolation and peace Rapunzel experiences in her tower as a form of freedom from her mother's constant instructions. Amanda longs for a life away from the pressures of daily life, where she can be alone and unbothered.
In the poem 'Amanda', what does Amanda yearn for, and what does the poem reveal about her personality and situation?
In the poem 'Amanda', Amanda yearns for freedom, peace, and solitude. She longs for a life where she can escape the constant nagging and instructions of her mother. 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 highlight the conflict between Amanda's desire for freedom and the reality of her life, where she feels restricted.
Considering the last stanza of the poem 'Amanda', do you think Amanda is genuinely sulking and moody, or is there a deeper reason for her behavior?
In the last stanza of the poem 'Amanda', Amanda is not necessarily sulking or merely moody; rather, she is expressing her inner frustration and deep desire for freedom. Her silence and refusal to respond may appear like sulking, but it reflects her profound longing for independence and escape from the constant control of her mother. Amanda's daydreams about being a mermaid or Rapunzel demonstrate her innate desire to break free from the limitations placed on her. Instead of simply being moody, she is internally protesting against the constraints of her daily life and striving to assert her own space and identity.
Amanda wishes to be a mermaid, an orphan, and Rapunzel. What do these desires collectively reveal about her inner state?
Her rich imagination and love for fairy tales.
Her need for companions and adventure.
Her longing for unconditional freedom and an escape from constant control.
Her childish immaturity and refusal to grow up.
Amanda's desires to be a mermaid, an orphan, and Rapunzel are all symbolic of different forms of freedom. As a mermaid, she imagines drifting blissfully in the sea, free from restrictions. As an orphan, she would have no one to nag her, allowing her to wander freely. As Rapunzel, she dreams of a tranquil tower where she would live a solitary, peaceful life, away from the constant directives. Therefore, these fantasies collectively highlight her deep longing to escape the perpetual nagging and the suffocating control of her mother.
The repeated directives from Amanda's mother, such as 'Don't bite your nails, Amanda!' and 'Don't hunch your shoulders, Amanda!', primarily highlight her concern for:
Amanda's academic performance.
Amanda's social conduct and physical presentation.
Amanda's mental well-being.
Amanda's financial security.
The mother's instructions explicitly focus on Amanda's physical habits (biting nails, hunching shoulders) and her manners (eating chocolate, cleaning room). These are all aspects of how a child is perceived in society and how they present themselves. The mother appears to be trying to 'correct' Amanda to fit societal expectations of a well-behaved and well-groomed girl, indicating a primary concern for her social conduct and physical presentation, rather than her academic performance, mental state, or financial security.
Amanda's desire to be 'An orphan, wandering the street' implies a wish to:
Experience the thrill of independence and solitude.
Gain sympathy from others.
Escape the responsibilities of family life.
Live a life of adventure and danger.
The image of an orphan 'wandering the street' is a stark contrast to Amanda's current confined and controlled existence. An orphan, though lacking parental care, is also free from parental supervision and rules. The 'wandering' signifies aimless freedom, moving wherever one pleases without directives or schedules. This fantasy represents Amanda's deep desire for independence and a peaceful solitude where she can exist without being constantly corrected or supervised, enjoying the quiet freedom of being left alone, rather than seeking sympathy or a life of explicit danger.
What do Amanda's repeated desires to be a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel primarily symbolize in the poem?
Her wish to be beautiful and admired by others.
Her longing for unrestricted freedom and escape from parental control.
Her deep dislike for her parents and family life.
Her childish imagination and playful nature.
The roles Amanda wishes to embody – a mermaid drifting freely, an orphan without responsibility, or Rapunzel alone in a tower – all represent a profound longing for freedom from the constant supervision, instructions, and restrictions imposed by her mother. These are not merely playful fantasies but symbolic desires for an unburdened existence, highlighting the central theme of childhood repression versus the yearning for autonomy and independence.
Which poetic device is prominently used in the lines: "Don't bite your nails, Amanda! / Don't hunch your shoulders, Amanda!"?
Alliteration
Simile
Anaphora
Personification
Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or lines. In the given lines, the repeated use of "Don't..." at the start of the mother's commands emphasizes the continuous nature of her nagging and creates a sense of rhythmic insistence, highlighting the constant restrictions Amanda faces. Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds, simile involves comparison using 'like' or 'as', and personification gives human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas, none of which are the dominant device here.
Amanda's mother's constant instructions and corrections are primarily driven by her desire to:
Show her dominance and authority over Amanda.
Mold Amanda into a well-behaved and socially acceptable child.
Suppress Amanda's imaginative and creative abilities.
Ensure Amanda remains dependent on her parents.
The mother's constant corrections regarding Amanda's posture, eating habits, and chores stem from a common parental concern: to raise a child who conforms to societal norms of good behavior and etiquette. Her actions, though perceived as nagging by Amanda, are driven by an intent to discipline and prepare her daughter for social acceptance and responsibility, rather than to deliberately stifle her imagination or exert dominance for its own sake. The poem subtly critiques whether such an approach truly benefits the child.