Poem: Amanda!
by Robin Klein
Textual Questions (Page No. 62)
Q1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Ans. Amanda appears to be an adolescent, around 12–14 years old. This is evident from the instructions she receives—don’t bite nails, sit up straight, do homework, and behave properly. Such directions are commonly given to children in their early teenage years.
Q2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Ans. The speaker is most likely Amanda’s parent or guardian, who is constantly correcting her behaviour and habits.
Q3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 given in parentheses?
Ans. These stanzas reflect Amanda’s inner thoughts and fantasies, not spoken aloud. They are set in parentheses to separate them from the parent’s instructions and to highlight her imaginative escape from reality.
Q4. Who is the speaker in Stanzas 2, 4, and 6? Do you think this speaker is imagining?
Ans. The speaker in these stanzas is Amanda herself. Yes, she is imagining alternate worlds where she can be free—like a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel.
Q5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Ans. If Amanda were a mermaid, she would drift peacefully in the sea, free from restrictions and demands.
Q6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Ans. Amanda is not really an orphan. She imagines being one because she feels suffocated by constant nagging. In her fantasy, being an orphan means freedom to walk barefoot, make patterns in the dust, and live without interference.
Q7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
Ans. Yes. Rapunzel was locked in a tower by a witch but lived happily with her long hair. Amanda wants to be like Rapunzel because, in isolation, she imagines herself free from scolding and restrictions.
Q8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Ans. Amanda yearns for freedom, peace, and self-expression without constant control. The poem shows that she is imaginative, sensitive, and longs for independence, but also feels burdened by parental authority.
Q9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Ans. No, Amanda is not sulking or moody. She is simply lost in her imaginative world. Her parent misinterprets her silence as sulking, which shows a lack of understanding of her feelings.
Extra Questions & Answers
Short Answer Type
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Why does Amanda imagine herself as a mermaid?
Because she wants to escape into a world of peace and freedom, drifting in the sea without restrictions. -
What does Amanda mean when she imagines being an orphan?
She imagines freedom from parental control, living independently, and doing whatever she pleases. -
Why does Amanda compare herself to Rapunzel?
Because Rapunzel lived alone in a tower, away from scolding or interference, symbolising Amanda’s wish for isolation and freedom. -
What does Amanda’s parent misunderstand at the end?
The parent mistakes Amanda’s silence and imagination for sulking and moodiness. -
What is the main theme of the poem?
The conflict between parental authority and a child’s desire for independence and imagination.
Long Answer Type
Q1. How does the poem “Amanda!” portray the conflict between parent and child?
Ans. The poem reflects the common tension between a growing child’s need for freedom and a parent’s desire to discipline. Amanda’s parent constantly nags her—not to bite nails, to sit properly, to finish homework, and to clean her room. These instructions, though well-meant, feel oppressive to Amanda. In her imagination, she escapes into worlds of freedom—living like a mermaid in the sea, wandering as an orphan, or being Rapunzel in a tower. The parent, however, misinterprets her silence as sulking. The poem highlights how miscommunication can occur when parents focus only on discipline without understanding a child’s feelings. It suggests that while guidance is necessary, excessive control stifles individuality. Amanda’s imagination symbolises the creativity and independence every child longs for.
Q2. What role does imagination play in Amanda’s life?
Ans. Imagination is Amanda’s way of coping with constant restrictions. When her parent scolds her, she retreats into fantasies—of being a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel. Each fantasy represents freedom from rules, duties, and scolding. Imagination gives her relief and a sense of independence that reality denies her. It also highlights her creativity and sensitivity. The poem suggests that imagination is not mere escape but an essential part of childhood that helps children survive pressure and find joy. Amanda’s imaginative world reflects her resilience against authority and her longing for self-expression.
Summary of the Poem
Robin Klein’s Amanda! is a powerful poem that captures the struggles of adolescence, especially the conflict between parental authority and a child’s longing for freedom. Through the character of Amanda, the poet explores themes of imagination, discipline, and the yearning for independence.
The poem is structured as a dialogue between Amanda’s parent and Amanda’s inner thoughts. The parent’s voice dominates most stanzas, giving instructions and reprimands. The parent tells Amanda not to bite her nails, not to hunch her shoulders, and to sit up straight. Later, the parent reminds her to do her homework, clean her room, and not to eat chocolates (as it causes acne). In the final stanza, the parent accuses Amanda of sulking and behaving moodily.
Amanda’s responses, given in parentheses, are not spoken aloud but are her inner fantasies. In these, she escapes from her parent’s nagging into worlds of freedom and peace. She imagines herself as a mermaid, drifting happily through the sea, far away from restrictions. She then imagines being an orphan, free to wander barefoot, draw patterns in the dust, and live without interference. Finally, she imagines herself as Rapunzel, living in a tower away from the world, happy in solitude without anyone to scold her.
The contrast between the parent’s voice and Amanda’s imagination forms the heart of the poem. The parent represents discipline, order, and societal expectations, while Amanda represents imagination, individuality, and the desire for self-expression. The parent’s nagging, though well-intentioned, comes across as oppressive, leaving Amanda yearning for escape.
At a deeper level, the poem raises questions about the nature of childhood and adolescence. Growing children need guidance, but excessive control can stifle creativity and individuality. Amanda’s fantasies show her need for freedom, while her silence at the end reflects how misunderstood children often feel.
Stylistically, the poem is simple and conversational but carries profound meaning. The alternating stanzas effectively highlight the contrast between external authority and inner imagination. The use of parentheses emphasises Amanda’s private world, which remains hidden from her parent. The imagery of a mermaid, orphan, and Rapunzel adds a fairy-tale quality, symbolising Amanda’s wish to live free from restrictions.
Thematically, the poem deals with:
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Adolescence – the stage where children seek identity and independence.
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Imagination – as an escape from strict control.
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Parental authority vs. freedom – the balance between discipline and individuality.
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Miscommunication – Amanda’s parent misinterprets her silence as sulking, showing the gap between adult expectations and a child’s feelings.
In conclusion, Amanda! is not just about one girl but about every child who has felt restricted by rules and longed for freedom. It reflects the universal tension between growing children and their parents. The poem reminds us that guidance must be balanced with understanding, and that children’s imagination should be respected, not suppressed.
✒️ Biography of Robin Klein
Robin Klein (1936–2015) was an acclaimed Australian author of children’s and young adult literature. Born in Kempsey, New South Wales, Klein grew up in a large family and developed a love for reading and writing from a young age.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in various professions, including as a nurse, teacher, and bookseller. These experiences gave her insight into human behaviour, especially the struggles of children and adolescents, which became central themes in her work.
Klein published her first book in 1981 and quickly established herself as a major voice in Australian children’s literature. Her stories often explored the complexities of childhood, growing up, and the challenges faced by young people. She wrote with empathy, humour, and honesty, making her works relatable to both children and adults.
Some of her most notable works include Hating Alison Ashley (1984), which became a classic in Australian schools and was later adapted into a film, and Came Back to Show You I Could Fly (1989), which won the Human Rights Award for Literature. She also wrote fantasy novels, picture books, and poetry.
Her writing style was marked by simplicity and emotional depth. She often portrayed children navigating between authority and independence, as seen in her poem Amanda!. The poem reflects her keen observation of how adolescents feel restricted by adult rules and how they retreat into imagination for comfort.
Klein received several awards for her contributions to literature, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award. She was also shortlisted for international prizes, bringing Australian children’s literature to a global audience.
Later in life, Klein suffered from serious health issues that limited her writing, but her legacy remained strong. Her works continue to be studied in schools and loved by readers for their honesty and sensitivity.
Robin Klein passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy of stories and poems that captured the voice of young people with authenticity. Through works like Amanda!, she gave expression to the struggles of growing children who seek freedom, individuality, and understanding.