Amanda

1.0About the Poet

Robin Klein

Amanda is written by Australian poet Robin Klein. She is better known for her works for Children and young adults. Her writing often features young protagonists who rebel against their structured environment.

Central Idea

The poem Amanda is about a small child named Amanda who is constantly pointed out by her mother for making mistakes which she considers as not a part of the good conduct. She is constantly instructed about the do's and don'ts by her elders. This frequent nagging makes her very unhappy. It seems as if she is not free to do anything that she wants to do. She wants freedom from all restrictions. She feels that an orphan roaming barefoot in the dusty streets has more freedom than her. She seems to live in her own world and doesn't care enough to look up to her scolding parents.

2.0From Deprivation to Freedom

Robin Klein has expressed the views of a little girl Amanda who is constantly pointed out by her mother for making mistakes which she considers as not a part of the code of good conduct laid down by the society in which we live. The poem depicts the state of mind of a child who is constantly instructed about the do's and don'ts by her elders such as not to bite her nails, not to hunch her shoulders while sitting, finishing her homework, tidying her room, cleaning her shoes, not eating chocolate etc.

3.0Rapunzel in Utopia

Amanda is enjoying another dream now and she fantasizes herself as Rapunzel, a character from a fairy tale and wants to be like her in a huge tower peacefully. She dreams that she will never let down her hair from the tower like Rapunzel. Finally, the mother forbids her for being moody because she doesn't want anyone to make her feel guilty that she is harassing her daughter. At this time the poet has not written any response from Amanda's side.

4.0Poetic Devices used in Poem

• Anaphora- It is the repetition of a word at the start of two or more consecutive lines. Examples Don't bite your nails, Amanda! Don't hunch your shoulders, Amanda! Did you finish your homework, Amanda! Did you tidy your room, Amanda!
• Epiphora- It is the repetition of a word at the end of two or more consecutive lines. Examples Don't bite your nails, Amanda! Don't hunch your shoulders, Amanda! Don't eat that chocolate, Amanda! Remember your acne, Amanda!
• Assonance- Assonance is a figure of speech in which the same vowel sound repeats within a group of words. Examples Prominent sound of the vowel 'o' - Don't hunch your shoulders. Prominent sound of vowel 'o' - I thought I told you to clean your shoes.
• Symbolism- Symbolism is a figure of speech that is used when an author wants to create a certain mood or emotion in a work of literature. Example The poet has used the word emerald which is used to show the green colour of the sea.
• Imagery- Imagery can be defined as a writer or speaker's use of words or figures of speech to create a vivid mental picture or physical sensation. Example There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me a mermaid, drifting blissfully. (The poet has given the visual description of sea)
• Alliteration- It is the repetition of a letter at the start of closely placed words - Example "Stop that slouching and sit up straight."
• Allusion- Reference to a famous or imaginary person, animal species or thing. Example Here, the poet has used the word Mermaid and Rapunzel.
• Repetition- It is the repeated use of a word of line to lay emphasis. Example The word Amanda has been repeated.
• Metaphor- It makes a comparison between two non-similar things. Examples Amanda compares herself to a mermaid. Amanda compares herself to Rapunzel.

5.0Let's Recall

• In this poem the young child's parents act & instruct her as responsible parents.
• At the same time a child should never be denied freedom.
• It highlights the struggles faced by the child.
• The poem depicts the dilemma of a teenage girl when she feels that her freedom is curtailedo.
• However, it is the parents who are responsible for the proper upbringing of their child. But that should not make the children feel imprisoned.
• Parents always keep giving commands to their children and keep on correcting them for their act or behaviour.
• This poem conveys that excessive nagging may make them disobedient and hence they may develop a type of dislike for real life.
• Her carelessness angers her parents and they ask for her attention.
• The parents get worried about their image and are concerned about how society will perceive them if their child always remains in a foul mood.