Amanda —by Robin Klein (Poetry) | CBSE Class 10 by Arihant
Stanzawise Explanation
Stanza 1
Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda!
Word Meanings
- Hunch : raise shoulders and bend the upper portion of body in forward position;
- Slouching : sitting in a lazy, drooping way
Explanation
In these lines, Amanda, a little girl is being scolded and instructed by her mother for her actions. Amanda is asked to stop biting her nails. She is also instructed to sit straight without bending her shoulders because her mother wants her to sit in the right posture. The last word ‘Amanda!’ is used with an exclamation mark, to shows the irritation and frustration of Amanda’s mother.
Stanza 2
(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)
Word Meanings
- Languid : reluctant to exert itself; Mermaid : an imaginary sea creature having a woman’s head and body with a fish’s tail instead of legs;
- Drifting : a slow and steady movement
Explanation
Amanda is lost in her world of imagination while her mother is instructing her. In her world, she imagines that sheis a mermaid who lives alone in the beautiful green sea.
She imagines that as a mermaid she would move in the soft waves of the sea. She believes that as a mermaid, her life would be peaceful and relaxing.
Stanza 3
Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!
Word Meanings
- Tidy : arrange neatly and in order
Explanation
In these lines, Amanda is being inquired about her work. Amanda’s mother is asking if she has finished her homework and whether she has cleaned her room or not. Amanda is also reminded that she was told to clean her shoes.
Stanza 4
(I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)
Word Meanings
- Orphan : a child whose parents are dead;
- Roaming : to move about aimlessly, Hushed : very quiet and still
Explanation
Again, Amanda is not paying any attention to her mother. Amanda is in her world of imagination. She imagines that she is an orphan child who is freely roaming around on the street.
She has no shoes on her feet and is making patterns on the soft dust with her quiet and bare feet. She is loving the silence and freedom to do anything in her world of imagination.
Stanza 5
Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you, Amanda!
Word Meanings
- Acne : common skin disease characterised by pimples, especially on face
Explanation
In these lines, Amanda is instructed by her mother to not eat chocolates. She is reminded that eating chocolates had previously caused her acne. However, as Amanda is lost in her own thoughts, she is not paying attention to her mother. So, her mother strictly asks her to look at her when she is talking to her.
Stanza 6
(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)
Word Meanings
- Rapunzel : Rapunzel is the name of a girl in a German fairy tale who was made to live alone in a high tower and had very long, beautiful golden hair. She was held captive by a witch who used to come up to the tower by climbing her long hair;
- Tranquil :free from any trouble or anxiety, to be in a peaceful state of mind.
Explanation
Amanda is still in her world of imagination. Now, she dreams of herself as Rapunzel who lived alone in a tower. As Rapunzel, she would not have to worry about anything and her life would be calm and peaceful in the tower. She emphasises that unlike Rapunzel, she would never let her hair down and permit anyone to come to her.
Stanza 7
Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
You’re always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda!
Word Meanings
- Sulking : to be upset about something;
- Nagged : to irritate someone by complaining about his or her habits again and again
Explanation
In these lines, Amanda is not reacting on her mother’s instructions. It seems that she is annoyed due to constant instructions. Amanda’s mother is asking her to stop being upset and moody. Her mother says that her upset behaviour will show everyone that she is disturbed due to her mother’s constant instructions.
Reference – @Arihant
