Amanda Notes Poem 4 English Class 10

Notes For All Chapters English First Flight Poems Class 10 CBSE

About the Poet

• Robin Klein is an Australian author of children’s and young adult literature.
• Her works often deal with childhood, adolescence, and the challenges faced by young people.

About the Poem

• The poem Amanda! reflects the situation of many children who are constantly instructed, corrected, and scolded by parents or elders.
• Amanda represents every child who feels that their freedom is restricted.
• The poem highlights the clash between parental authority and a child’s desire for independence.

Theme of the Poem

1. Parental Control vs. Child’s Freedom – Parents want discipline; children want liberty.
2. Imagination as Escape – Amanda dreams of being a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel to avoid restrictions.
3. Loneliness and Yearning for Peace – She desires calmness and silence, away from constant instructions.
4. Adolescence & Rebellion – The poem captures the feelings of a teenager struggling with rules and commands.

Structure of the Poem

• Odd Stanzas (1, 3, 5, 7) → Parent’s voice (commands, scolding).
• Even Stanzas (2, 4, 6) → Amanda’s imagination (in brackets).
• The use of parentheses shows Amanda’s private thoughts, not spoken aloud.

Line-by-Line Summary

🔹 Stanza 1

• Parent instructs Amanda: Don’t bite nails, don’t hunch shoulders, sit up straight.
• Shows criticism of her posture and habits.

🔹 Stanza 2 (Imagination)

• Amanda imagines being a mermaid in a calm green sea.
• She enjoys drifting alone in peace and freedom.

🔹 Stanza 3

• Parent asks Amanda if she has:
  • Finished homework,
  • Cleaned her room,
  • Polished her shoes.
• Reflects pressure to be responsible and disciplined.

🔹 Stanza 4 (Imagination)

• Amanda imagines herself as an orphan roaming freely in the streets.
• She enjoys silence and the sweetness of freedom without restrictions.

🔹 Stanza 5

• Parent scolds her:
  • Don’t eat chocolate (it causes pimples).
  • Pay attention and look at the parent while being spoken to.

🔹 Stanza 6 (Imagination)

• Amanda imagines herself as Rapunzel, living in a tall tower.
• She enjoys solitude and peace, deciding never to let down her hair to avoid disturbance.

🔹 Stanza 7

• Parent accuses Amanda of sulking and being moody.
• Complains that others might think the parent nags too much.

Characters

• Amanda – A sensitive, imaginative young girl, likely a teenager. She craves freedom, silence, and peace.
• Parent (Speaker in odd stanzas) – Strict, controlling, focused on discipline, good manners, and social image.