NCERT Solutions Class 10 English (First Flight)
The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 10 English (First Flight) Poem – 6 Amanda ! has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.
Poem – 6 (Amanda !)
Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda!
(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)
Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes,
Amanda!
(I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)
Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you,
Amanda!
(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!)
Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
You’re always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at you,
Amanda!
– ROBIN KLEIN
Thinking about the Poem
1. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Answer – Amanda is about a 9-10 year old school going girl. She is being scolded for things typical for that particular age. Her parents are trying to inculcate in her good manners and etiquettes. Amanda is very innocent and immature.
2. Who do you think is speaking to her?
Answer – One of her parents is speaking to her. Most probably it is her mother. In a traditional household mother is held responsible for the conduct of child. In this case also, the range of instructions suggests that the speaker is Amanda’s mother.
3. Why are stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?
Answer – Stanzas 2, 4 and 6 are given in parenthesis as they are answers to other stanzas. These come before them. They are there as they could be suitable answers to the questions in them.
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 – Speaker of the stanzas 2, 4 and 6 is the child, Amanda. No, she is not paying any attention to the speaker of stanzas 1, 3 and 5 as she is lost in a world of her own. Her imagination provides her an escape from her sorry reality.
5. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
Answer – If Amanda were a mermaid, then she would drift slowly on a languid emerald sea. She would be the sole inhabitant of the relaxed green sea and would move slowly on it.
6. Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?
Answer – No, Amanda is not an orphan. She says so because she wants to be alone. She wants to roam around in the street alone and pattern dust wit her bare feet. She finds silence ‘golden’ and freedom ‘sweet’. It is for this reason that she calls herself an orphan.
7. Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?
Answer – Rapunzdl is actually a beautiful looking vegetation. It is used in lettuce or it can be lettuce itself. As per a folklore it was a sweet and beautiful looking vegetation. It was very much liked by a fairy who wanted to have it. Here the girl wants to be Rapunzel to her parents. However, they rebuke her on one or the other pretext.
8. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Answer – The girl yearns for freedom. She wants to lead her life the way she likes. In fact, she has certain natural habits. These are had by all at their respective ages. But her parents do not like these to be there in her.
Amanda has these habits. But she is an obedient and understanding girl. There are certain restrictions in her life. These are there in every household.
9. Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and is moody?
Answer – No, Amanda is neither sulking nor moody. She is simply not interested enough in the nagging business of her parents. Amanda cares more about her imagination and thought process over the manners her parents are trying to inculcate into her.
