Amanda! - NCERT Class 10, First Flight, Chapter 4, Poem 4 - Summary, Questions, Answers, Extra Questions, MCQ
Detailed summary and explanation of the poem 'Amanda!' by Robin Klein, along with important questions, answers, extra questions, and MCQs from NCERT Class X, First Flight.
Updated : 1 month ago
Introduction
"Amanda!" is a poem by Robin Klein that highlights the feelings of a young girl, Amanda, who is constantly being instructed and corrected by her mother. The poem portrays the clash between Amanda’s desire for freedom and imagination and the societal expectations of proper behavior imposed by the adults around her. Through Amanda’s daydreams, the poet emphasizes the inner world of a child who longs to escape from the constant supervision and restrictions placed upon her. The poem reflects the universal theme of growing up and the conflicts children face when they feel their freedom is being stifled.
Summary
Summary in English
The poem "Amanda!" revolves around a young girl who is constantly being reprimanded by her mother for her habits and behavior. Her mother tells her not to bite her nails, to sit up straight, and to stop slouching. As her mother nags her, Amanda escapes into her world of imagination, where she envisions herself as a mermaid drifting blissfully in the calm sea, free from all the restrictions imposed on her.
The mother’s instructions continue, asking Amanda if she has completed her homework, cleaned her room, and polished her shoes. Amanda, feeling frustrated, imagines herself as an orphan, wandering the streets in silence and enjoying the peace and freedom that come with solitude. Her imagination offers her an escape from the overwhelming expectations placed on her.
The nagging continues, as her mother warns Amanda not to eat chocolate because it might cause acne. Amanda, in response, fantasizes about being Rapunzel, living peacefully in her tower with no worries or responsibilities, and refusing to let down her hair. This daydream symbolizes her desire to be left alone and to live life on her own terms, free from constant monitoring.
The poem ends with the mother accusing Amanda of being moody and sulking, to which Amanda offers no response. The constant criticism from her mother contrasts with Amanda’s deep desire for freedom and independence. Through Amanda’s fantasies, the poet shows the impact of excessive control on a child’s emotional well-being and the importance of giving children space to explore their own identities.
Summary in Hindi
"अमांडा!" कविता रॉबिन क्लेन द्वारा लिखी गई है, जो एक छोटी लड़की अमांडा की भावनाओं पर आधारित है। अमांडा को उसकी माँ लगातार उसकी आदतों और व्यवहार के लिए डांटती रहती है। उसकी माँ उसे नाखून न काटने, सीधे बैठने और झुककर न बैठने की हिदायत देती है। जैसे ही उसकी माँ उसे टोके जा रही होती है, अमांडा अपनी कल्पनाओं की दुनिया में खो जाती है, जहाँ वह खुद को एक मत्स्यकन्या के रूप में देखती है, जो शांत समुद्र में तैरती हुई खुशी महसूस करती है और किसी प्रकार के प्रतिबंध से मुक्त होती है।
माँ की हिदायतें जारी रहती हैं, वह अमांडा से पूछती है कि क्या उसने अपना होमवर्क पूरा कर लिया है, क्या उसने अपना कमरा साफ कर लिया है और अपने जूते चमका लिए हैं। अमांडा, जो इन निर्देशों से थक चुकी है, खुद को एक अनाथ के रूप में कल्पना करती है, जो सड़कों पर चुपचाप घूम रही है और शांति और स्वतंत्रता का आनंद ले रही है। उसकी कल्पनाएँ उसे उन उच्च अपेक्षाओं से मुक्त होने का अवसर प्रदान करती हैं, जो उस पर थोपी जाती हैं।
माँ उसे चॉकलेट खाने से मना करती है, क्योंकि इससे अमांडा को मुंहासे हो सकते हैं। इस पर अमांडा खुद को रॅपुन्ज़ेल के रूप में कल्पना करती है, जो एक टावर में शांति से जीवन बिता रही है, बिना किसी चिंता या जिम्मेदारी के। वह अपने बालों को नीचे नहीं छोड़ने का निश्चय करती है, जो उसकी यह इच्छा दर्शाता है कि वह अकेली रहे और अपने जीवन को अपनी शर्तों पर जिए।
कविता के अंत में, माँ अमांडा पर मूडी और गुस्सैल होने का आरोप लगाती है, लेकिन अमांडा कोई जवाब नहीं देती। माँ की लगातार आलोचना के विपरीत, अमांडा की गहरी इच्छा स्वतंत्रता और आत्मनिर्भरता की है। अमांडा की कल्पनाओं के माध्यम से, कवि यह दर्शाते हैं कि अत्यधिक नियंत्रण बच्चों की भावनात्मक भलाई पर कैसे प्रभाव डालता है और उन्हें अपनी पहचान खोजने के लिए स्थान देना कितना महत्वपूर्ण है।
Amanda! - Thinking About the Text: Questions and Answers
1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Amanda seems to be around 9 to 12 years old. The way she is scolded for things like slouching, not completing homework, or biting nails suggests she is at an age where parents are particularly concerned about instilling discipline. Her vivid imagination and daydreams also point to a young child who is still deeply immersed in fantasy worlds.
2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
It is most likely that Amanda’s mother is speaking to her. The speaker is constantly giving her instructions, reminding her to behave properly, clean up, and take care of herself, which is typical of parental figures concerned with teaching good habits.
3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 are given in parenthesis because they represent Amanda’s inner thoughts and daydreams. While the external speaker (presumably her mother) is scolding her, Amanda retreats into her imagination, escaping the control and constraints placed on her by imagining herself in different, fantastical scenarios.
4. 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?
The speaker in Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 is Amanda herself, lost in her imagination. No, Amanda is not listening to the speaker in Stanzas 1, 3, 5, and 7 (her mother). Instead, she escapes into her own world to avoid the nagging and criticism.
5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
If Amanda were a mermaid, she imagines that she would drift blissfully in the calm, emerald sea, free from all responsibilities and restrictions. As a mermaid, she would enjoy complete freedom and peace, far from the demands of her daily life.
6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
No, Amanda is not an orphan. She says so because she is imagining the freedom that would come from being one. In her mind, being an orphan would mean she could roam freely without anyone telling her what to do or imposing restrictions on her behavior. It’s her way of expressing her desire for independence.
7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
Yes, Rapunzel is a character from a fairy tale who was locked in a tower by a witch. Rapunzel is known for her long hair and her isolation in the tower. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel because she envies the solitude and peace that Rapunzel has in her tower, far away from the responsibilities and nagging she experiences at home.
8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Amanda yearns for freedom, peace, and an escape from the constant instructions and control of her mother. This poem tells us that Amanda feels stifled by the demands placed on her and seeks refuge in her imagination to cope with the lack of freedom she experiences in her real life.
9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
From the mother's perspective in the last stanza, it seems like Amanda is sulking and being moody. However, Amanda is actually lost in her own thoughts and daydreams, not paying attention to her mother. The mother's accusations show a misunderstanding of Amanda's inner world, where she is simply seeking peace and independence.
