NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Poem Chapter 4 – Amanda!, not only help students to understand the theme, meaning and tone of the poem in an easy way, also explain the message of the poet clearly, and help the students in successfully answering textbook questions. Written by Robin Klein, the poem illustrates how a young girl named Amanda, is constantly ordered around by adults.
The poem typically illustrates that children feel a sense of irritation or constriction when grown-ups are constantly correcting them. Amanda pictures a world of freedom, where she can be herself, without social rules. NCERT Solutions help students to learn the poem, in a fun and relaxed style and help them to prepare for their exams, with confidence.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 10 English First Flight Poem Chapter 4 Amanda! in a free, easy-to-access PDF format and start preparing smartly with expert answers.
"Amanda!" by Robin Klein is a thought-provoking poem that highlights the struggles of growing up and the longing for freedom. It presents a conversation — or rather, a series of instructions — from an authoritative voice (likely a parent or guardian) to a young girl named Amanda. The poem alternates between this voice, which constantly tells Amanda what to do and what not to do, and Amanda’s imagined escape into a world of her own.
Amanda’s responses are never spoken aloud; instead, they appear as daydreams where she pictures herself as a mermaid swimming in the sea, an orphan wandering freely, or a princess living peacefully in a tower. These fantasies symbolise her desire for independence, peace, and self-expression, away from constant nagging.
The poem captures the universal theme of a child’s wish to be free from overbearing control. It also raises questions about the fine line between discipline and over-disciplining.
1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Ans. Amanda should be 13, 14 years old. We know this by her mother's mentioning of Amanda's 'acne' in the line 'Remember your acne. Amanda!' Usually boys or girls at this age have acne on their faces.
2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Ans. I think her mother is speaking to her. Generally, mothers ask daughters not to do this or that. The following lines gives this indication - 'Anyone would think that I nagged at you Amanda!'
3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Ans. Stanzas 2, 4and 6 are given in parenthesis because they are not spoken openly. These reflect the inner thoughts of the girl and not responses to the mother's instructions.
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, 4 and 7?
Ans. The speaker in Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 is the little girl. She isn't attentively listening to the speaker of the Stanzas 1, 3, 5 and 7?
5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Ans. If Amanda were a mermaid, she could drift blissfully in the emerald sea. She would be the sole inhabitant of the sea. Nobdoy would be there to curtail her freedom and to nag at her.
6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Ans. No, Amanda is not an orphan. She says so because she thinks that an orphan has the liberty to roam about the street barefooted. A barefooted orphan doesn't need shoes and their cleanliness.
7. Why does Amanda want to be Rapunzel?
Ans. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel to live a peaceful life in a tower, where no one gives any instruction and she doesn't have to do any work. But she doesn't want to escape with a prince that is why she says 'I'll certainly never let down my bright hair.'
8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Ans. The girl yearns for being a mermaid drifting blissfully in the emerald sea, an orphan roaming the street barefooted, and a Rapunzel to live peacefully in a tower. This poem tells that she is fed up of being nagged by her mother. She wants to escape from these all.
9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Ans. I think Amanda is sulking as well as is moody. She is sulking that's why she doesn't look at her mother when she instructs or nags at her. She is moody that's why she wants to be a mermaid or an orphan or Rapunzel.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Poem Chapter 4 – Amanda!, not only help students to understand the theme, meaning and tone of the poem in an easy way, also explain the message of the poet clearly, and help the students in successfully answering textbook questions. Written by Robin Klein, the poem illustrates how a young girl named Amanda, is constantly ordered around by adults.
The poem typically illustrates that children feel a sense of irritation or constriction when grown-ups are constantly correcting them. Amanda pictures a world of freedom, where she can be herself, without social rules. NCERT Solutions help students to learn the poem, in a fun and relaxed style and help them to prepare for their exams, with confidence.
Download NCERT Solutions Class 10 English First Flight Poem Chapter 4 Amanda! in a free, easy-to-access PDF format and start preparing smartly with expert answers.
"Amanda!" by Robin Klein is a thought-provoking poem that highlights the struggles of growing up and the longing for freedom. It presents a conversation — or rather, a series of instructions — from an authoritative voice (likely a parent or guardian) to a young girl named Amanda. The poem alternates between this voice, which constantly tells Amanda what to do and what not to do, and Amanda’s imagined escape into a world of her own.
Amanda’s responses are never spoken aloud; instead, they appear as daydreams where she pictures herself as a mermaid swimming in the sea, an orphan wandering freely, or a princess living peacefully in a tower. These fantasies symbolise her desire for independence, peace, and self-expression, away from constant nagging.
The poem captures the universal theme of a child’s wish to be free from overbearing control. It also raises questions about the fine line between discipline and over-disciplining.
1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Ans. Amanda should be 13, 14 years old. We know this by her mother's mentioning of Amanda's 'acne' in the line 'Remember your acne. Amanda!' Usually boys or girls at this age have acne on their faces.
2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Ans. I think her mother is speaking to her. Generally, mothers ask daughters not to do this or that. The following lines gives this indication - 'Anyone would think that I nagged at you Amanda!'
3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Ans. Stanzas 2, 4and 6 are given in parenthesis because they are not spoken openly. These reflect the inner thoughts of the girl and not responses to the mother's instructions.
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, 4 and 7?
Ans. The speaker in Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 is the little girl. She isn't attentively listening to the speaker of the Stanzas 1, 3, 5 and 7?
5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Ans. If Amanda were a mermaid, she could drift blissfully in the emerald sea. She would be the sole inhabitant of the sea. Nobdoy would be there to curtail her freedom and to nag at her.
6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Ans. No, Amanda is not an orphan. She says so because she thinks that an orphan has the liberty to roam about the street barefooted. A barefooted orphan doesn't need shoes and their cleanliness.
7. Why does Amanda want to be Rapunzel?
Ans. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel to live a peaceful life in a tower, where no one gives any instruction and she doesn't have to do any work. But she doesn't want to escape with a prince that is why she says 'I'll certainly never let down my bright hair.'
8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Ans. The girl yearns for being a mermaid drifting blissfully in the emerald sea, an orphan roaming the street barefooted, and a Rapunzel to live peacefully in a tower. This poem tells that she is fed up of being nagged by her mother. She wants to escape from these all.
9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Ans. I think Amanda is sulking as well as is moody. She is sulking that's why she doesn't look at her mother when she instructs or nags at her. She is moody that's why she wants to be a mermaid or an orphan or Rapunzel.
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