Chapter 6 – Amanda! by Robin Klein

Chapter 6 – Amanda! ( First Flight – by Robin Klein) 

Amanda! – Robin Klein

 Word Meanings 

• Hunching – bending forward

• Slouching – sitting/standing lazily with shoulders bent

• Languid – relaxed, without energy

• Drifted – moved slowly without control

• Emerald – bright green colour

• Nagged – repeatedly scolded or reminded

• Tranquil – peaceful, calm

• Acnes – small pimples on the face

• Blissfully – happily, with joy

• Sulking – being angry and silent

• Rapunzel – a fairytale character locked in a tower with long hair

 Central Idea 

The poem shows how children feel when parents keep nagging and correcting them all the time. Amanda wants freedom and peace. She imagines herself as a mermaid, orphan, or Rapunzel to escape constant scolding and enjoy independence.

 Figures of Speech

1. Imagery – “emerald sea,” “tower” (creates a picture in the reader’s mind)

2. Metaphor – Amanda imagines herself as a mermaid, orphan, Rapunzel (comparing herself to characters).

3. Alliteration – “Stop that slouching and sit up straight” (‘s’ sound repeated).

4. Irony – Parents scold Amanda for sulking but they are the reason for her unhappiness.

5. Repetition – “Amanda!” is repeated many times for effect.

 Textbook Questions and Answers

Q1. How old do you think Amanda is? What is the evidence for your answer?

Amanda seems to be a school-going teenager. She is told not to bite nails, hunch her shoulders, eat chocolate (fear of acne), and sit up straight. Such instructions are usually given to children between 12–14 years.

Q2. Who do you think is speaking to her?

It is Amanda’s parent (probably her mother) speaking to her. The voice continuously gives instructions about her behavior, posture, cleanliness, and discipline, which shows a parent’s concern but also constant nagging.

Q3. Why are stanzas 2, 4, and 6 given in parenthesis?

These stanzas are Amanda’s inner thoughts and imagination. They are written in brackets to show they are not spoken aloud but are her silent escape into a world of freedom, away from her parent’s nagging voice.

Q4. Who is the speaker in stanzas 2, 4, and 6? Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?

In these stanzas, Amanda herself is the speaker. She imagines being a mermaid, orphan, or Rapunzel. She seems sulky and moody because of constant scolding, but actually she just wants freedom and independence from instructions.

Q5. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?

Amanda yearns for freedom, peace, and space to live in her own way. The poem shows that Amanda is an imaginative, creative, and sensitive girl. She dislikes restrictions and wants to enjoy life without unnecessary rules.

Q6. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking?

Yes, Amanda looks sulky and withdrawn. But the real reason is her parent’s constant nagging and instructions. She appears moody not because of her own nature but because she is tired of being scolded all the time.

1. What is the importance of proper upbringing?
Proper upbringing is important because it builds a child’s character and future. Parents must teach discipline, manners, and responsibility. But they should not always scold or nag. A good upbringing needs both care and guidance. If parents are too strict, children may feel unhappy and lose confidence. So, a balanced upbringing helps children grow into responsible, loving, and happy individuals.

2. What qualities of Amanda are shown in the poem?
Amanda is imaginative and creative. She dreams of being a mermaid, Rapunzel, or even an orphan to escape from her parents’ scolding. She loves peace and freedom. She does not like restrictions and instructions all the time. Amanda wants to live in her own world of imagination. Her qualities show that she is sensitive, independent, and wishes for a life without constant control.

3. What is the impact of parents’ nagging on Amanda?
The nagging nature of Amanda’s parents makes her childhood unhappy. Instead of enjoying life, she feels controlled and troubled. She remains quiet and prefers to live in her dream world where she feels free. Too many instructions make her lose the joy of childhood. It shows that constant scolding creates distance between children and parents, and children start avoiding real life by imagining freedom.

4. What do you learn from the poem ‘Amanda’?
The poem teaches that children need love, care, and space, not constant nagging. Parents should guide their children but also let them enjoy childhood freely. Too much pressure harms their growth and makes them unhappy. Childhood should be full of fun, creativity, and joy. From Amanda’s situation, we learn that a balance of discipline and freedom is very important for proper upbringing and happiness.

5. How would Amanda’s life change if her parents stop nagging her?
If Amanda’s parents stop nagging, she will feel happy and free. She will enjoy her childhood and express her creativity. She will also learn discipline naturally without pressure. Amanda will feel closer to her parents and respect them more. Without restrictions, she can balance her imagination with real life. Her life will become peaceful, and she will grow into a confident, responsible, and loving person.

4. What is Amanda getting instructions for?
 Amanda is getting instructions for her daily behavior. She is told not to bite nails, sit lazily, eat chocolates carelessly, or behave untidily. The speaker wants her to be disciplined, but Amanda feels irritated and restricted.

5. Why are some lines in the poem given in brackets?
 The lines in brackets show Amanda’s thoughts and imagination. While her mother scolds her, Amanda escapes into her dream world, imagining freedom as a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel. These thoughts are private and contrast with the speaker’s nagging.

6. Why is Amanda not looking at the speaker while eating chocolates?
 Amanda avoids looking at the speaker because she feels annoyed and uninterested in the instructions. She silently eats chocolates, ignoring her mother’s warnings. Her behavior shows she wants to escape from constant control and live freely in her own world.

7. Why is the speaker worried about acne in the poem?
 The speaker warns Amanda not to eat too many chocolates, as it may cause acne on her face. This shows the speaker is more concerned about Amanda’s looks and discipline rather than her happiness and emotional freedom.

8. How silence is golden and freedom is sweet?
 Silence is called golden because it brings peace, calmness, and relief from constant noise. Freedom is sweet because it allows one to live independently without restrictions. Amanda longs for both silence and freedom in her life.

9. Why does Amanda want to be an orphan?
 Amanda wishes to be an orphan because she imagines it would give her freedom from restrictions and scolding. She thinks orphans can live freely, make their own choices, and enjoy peace without constant interference from parents or guardians.

10. Why does Amanda want to be Rapunzel?
 Amanda wants to be Rapunzel because Rapunzel lived in a tower away from everyone. Amanda imagines such a life would be peaceful and free from nagging. She likes the idea of complete independence without disturbance from anyone.

11. Why Amanda seems to be moody?
 Amanda seems moody because she is constantly scolded and corrected by the speaker. Instead of arguing, she quietly escapes into her world of imagination. Her silence, daydreams, and disinterest make her look moody to the outside world.

12. Is Amanda’s mother really nagging, What do you think?
 Yes, Amanda’s mother appears to be nagging because she keeps giving nonstop instructions about Amanda’s behavior, posture, and habits. Though she may want discipline, her constant scolding makes Amanda feel trapped, lonely, and in need of freedom.

13. Why does Amanda think that life on tower would be different?
 Amanda thinks life in a tower would be different because it would give her complete peace and independence. Like Rapunzel, she imagines living without rules, scolding, or restrictions. For her, such isolation means true happiness and freedom.

Reference to Context (RTC) 

Extract 1:

“Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda!”

Q1. Who is speaking these lines?
 Amanda’s mother (or the speaker) is speaking.

Q2. What is she instructing Amanda about?
 She is instructing Amanda about her posture and behavior.

Q3. How does Amanda feel about these instructions?
 Amanda feels irritated and restricted.

Extract 2:

“I am a mermaid, drifting blissfully.
I live in a peaceful, green sea.
I am the sole inhabitant of the ocean.”

Q1. Who imagines herself as a mermaid?
 Amanda imagines herself as a mermaid.

Q2. Why does she want to be a mermaid?
 She wants to be free and peaceful, away from rules and scolding.

Q3. What does this show about Amanda’s character?
 She is dreamy, imaginative, and longs for freedom.

Extract 3:

“Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!”

Q1. What is Amanda being reminded of?
 She is reminded of her homework, room cleaning, and shoes.

Q2. How does Amanda react to such reminders?
 Amanda feels bored and withdraws into her imagination.

Q3. What does this show about the speaker?
 The speaker is very strict and wants Amanda to be disciplined.

Extract 4:

“There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.”

Q1. What kind of life does Amanda imagine here?
 She imagines a calm and free life as a mermaid in the sea.

Q2. What does “languid” mean?
 It means slow, relaxed, and peaceful.

Q3. What is Amanda’s wish in this context?
 Amanda wishes for a life without rules, scolding, or restrictions.

Extract 5:

“Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
You’re always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda!”

Q1. Why does the speaker call Amanda “moody”?
 Because Amanda stays quiet and lost in her imagination.

Q2. What does the speaker fear?
 The speaker fears that others may think she is nagging Amanda too much.

Q3. What does this show about Amanda’s behavior?
 Amanda is silent, dreamy, and avoids answering back.