AMANDA
Question 1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Amanda seems to be about 9 or 10 years old because she is being scolded for typical behavior of that age. Her parents are teaching her good manners, and she comes across as innocent and immature.
Question 2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Most likely, one of her parents is speaking—probably her mother. In traditional households, mothers usually guide children’s behavior, and the range of instructions suggests it is Amanda’s mother.
Question 3. Why are stanzas 2, 4, and 6 in parentheses?
These stanzas show Amanda’s inner thoughts—her reactions to the instructions. The poem alternates between the mother’s scolding and the child’s responses, and the parentheses make the poem feel more personal and friendly.
Question 4. Who speaks in stanzas 2, 4, and 6? Is this speaker listening to the speaker in stanzas 1, 3, 5, and 7?
Amanda is the speaker in these stanzas. She isn’t really paying attention to the adult’s voice; instead, she escapes into her imagination to avoid facing her reality.
Question 5. What would Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
She would happily drift on calm green seas, carried gently by the waves. Being a mermaid symbolizes freedom and wonder for her—a place where she is alone and her happiness isn’t tied to others.
Question 6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
No, Amanda isn’t actually an orphan, but she wishes to be one because she feels overwhelmed and depressed by her parents’ constant nagging. She longs for silence and freedom, wishing to roam freely and be independent.
Question 7. Do you know Rapunzel’s story? Why does Amanda want to be like her?
Rapunzel was locked in a tower by a witch but found some happiness and eventually freedom when a prince came to her. Amanda wishes to be like Rapunzel—living alone and peaceful. She wants solitude without letting anyone intrude, symbolizing her desire for independence.
Question 8. What does Amanda yearn for? What does this poem reveal about her?
Amanda longs for freedom and personal space. She struggles with fulfilling her parents’ expectations, representing many children who face strict societal demands from a young age. The poem shows how such pressures can stifle a child’s imagination.
Question 9. Is Amanda sulking or moody in the last stanza?
No, Amanda isn’t sulking or moody; she’s simply uninterested in the nagging. Her mind is more focused on her imagination and dreams than on obeying her parents’ instructions.