About the Poetess
Robin Klein is an Australian writer of great renown. She was born in a family of nine children. Rearing so many children must have been an uphill task for her mother. As a child, she must have endured the frequent reprimands of her mother, and must have seen other siblings of her face the ire of a harried mother trying to bring up the children the right way. This poem Amanda, perhaps, bears the glimpses of her mother’s relentless things to do and not do. All children reeling under a nagging mother’s find the atmosphere at home repressive, and yearn to flee to a land where they could indulge in anything of their liking. This poem portrays the anguish felt by young children under their mother’s care, and their desire to break free and flee to a domain of complete freedom.
The poem
First stanza
Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda!
Meaning – The mother’s caution… The mother sternly asks the little girl Amanda not to bite her nails (because it’s unhygienic), and sit erect. She doesn’t like the way Amanda sits in a lazy drooping way. (because it distorts the posture).
The child’s reaction… Amanda squirms at her mother’s words. She conjures up a vision where, as a mermaid, she floats on a vast placid sea in complete solitude.
Second stanza
Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes,
Amanda!
Meaning – The mother’s caution… The mother queries if Amanda has finished her home work, done up the bed, and polished her shoes. The three queries coming one after another unsettles Amanda. She loathes the words, but is powerless.
Amanda’s reaction… She laments her fate. In disgust, she imagines herself as an orphan (so that there is no mother to worry her) wandering aimlessly in a dusty track. She draws patterns on the loose dust using her bare feet. There is no sound, no screams, and no reprimands. The freedom appears so blissful, and so lifting.
Third stanza
Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,
Amanda!
Meaning – The mother’s admonishments… She asks Amanda no to eat the chocolates (so relishing to a child), so that the acne is not exacerbated. As Amanda dips her head to avoid her mother’s angry face, the latter asks him to look directly at her.
Amanda’s reaction… She sees herself as Rapunzel, the princess living alone her huge palace. With no one to breathe down her neck, she could unfetter hr mind and do anything she liked. ‘Life would be so enjoyable, there,’ she bemoans.
Fourth stanza
Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
You’re always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at you,
Amanda!
Meaning – The mother’s reaction… She finds that Amanda has become unresponsive and surly. She wants her child to cheer up, and shed her sour mood. The mother fears that seeing Amanda so sad, and glum ad grumpy, others could assume that the innocent child had been too rudely dealt with by her mother.
Thinking about the Poem
1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Answer – Amanda possibly is aged between 8 to 10. She is going to school because she has to do homework. At this age, girls need continuous attention from their mothers. The youngsters resent such critical attention and resort to fantasy for temporary relief.
2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Answer – Most probably, it is her mother.
3. Why are Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Answer – These are the thoughts of Amanda. These are not in poem form. So, they are given in parenthesis.
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 – The speaker is Amanda. The speaker in 1, 3, 5, and 7 is not listening to Amanda.
5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Answer – She would sail on the solitary ocean with no fears, no worries.
6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Answer – No, Amanda is not an orphan. She imagines to be one, because she detests her mother for the latter’s constant advices.
7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
Answer – Rapunzel was a little girl living in a large mansion. She had ample freedom to whatever she liked.
8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Answer – Amanda resents her mother’s frequent nagging. She wants to break free from the confines of her house, and go to a far-off place to live her own life.
9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Answer – Amanda is obviously displeased with her mother’s hegemony. It shows in her body language. She has become somewhat withdrawn, and de-spirited.