Get here very fine answers to Textbook Exercise questions of the Poem Amanda given in the NCERT Class 10 English book Flamingo. Click here to see other study resources for class 10 English Core Course.
Amanda Poem – Textbook Question and Answers
Q.1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Answer: Based on the content of the poem, it’s difficult to pinpoint Amanda’s exact age. However, the tone and the instructions suggest she is likely a pre-teen or early teenager around 12 or 13. The mention of homework and acne points towards this age range.
Q.2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Answer: The poem seems to be addressed to Amanda by a parental figure, possibly her mother. The use of imperative sentences (“Don’t bite your nails,” “Did you finish your homework?”) and the overall tone of concern and instruction support this interpretation.
Q.3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Answer: The stanzas in parentheses are likely internal thoughts or daydreams of Amanda. They offer a glimpse into her imagination and contrast with the external reality of the disciplinary commands, restrictions and instructions she receives.
Q.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?
Answer: Amanda herself is the speaker here with her inner voice or imagination. She is envisioning herself as a mermaid, an orphan, and Rapunzel, respectively. It seems she is escaping into fantasy worlds to cope with the pressures and expectations placed upon her. It’s unlikely that she is literally listening to the speaker in the other stanzas. These lines represent her internal monologue or daydreaming, where she escapes into fantasy worlds.
Q.5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Answer: As a mermaid, Amanda could likely swim freely in the ocean, explore underwater worlds, and experience a sense of freedom and tranquillity. She might also have magical abilities or encounter mythical creatures and perhaps even discover hidden treasures.
Q.6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Answer: Amanda is not a literal orphan. The reference to being an orphan in Stanza 4 is likely a metaphor for feeling lonely, isolated, or misunderstood. It suggests that she craves independence and freedom from the parental constraints of her everyday life.
Q.7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
Answer: Yes, I know the story of Rapunzel, a fairy tale princess imprisoned in a tower. Amanda is likely familiar with the story of Rapunzel, a princess imprisoned in a tower. By wishing to be Rapunzel, she may be expressing a desire for beauty, attention, being unique and perhaps a sense of isolation and longing for escape.
Q.8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Answer: Amanda yearns for freedom, independence, and a sense of self-worth. She longs to escape the constant scrutiny and expectations placed on her. The poem reveals that she is a complex individual with rich inner thoughts and a vivid imagination. The poem shows her internal struggles with societal expectations, parental authority, and her own self-esteem.
Q.9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Answers: It’s difficult to definitively say whether Amanda is genuinely sulking and moody. The final stanza suggests that the speaker believes Amanda is behaving in this way, but Amanda’s internal thoughts and fantasies reveal a more nuanced picture. She may be feeling overwhelmed by pressure, frustrated, or simply bored with her routine.
