Amanda ! Summary & Explanation

Poetic Devices in “Amanda!”

Imagery

Imagery involves using descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. The poem is rich in imagery, especially in Amanda’s imaginative escapades.

Example:

• “There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me— a mermaid, drifting blissfully.”
• “I am an orphan, roaming the street. I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.”

Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”

Example:

• “I am Rapunzel, I have not a care; life in a tower is tranquil and rare.”

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to each other.

Example:

• “Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda!” (repetition of the ‘s’ sound)
• “I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.” (repetition of the ‘s’ sound)

Repetition

Repetition involves repeating words or phrases to emphasize a point or theme.

Example:

• The name “Amanda” is repeated throughout the poem to emphasize the constant nagging she experiences.
• “Don’t” is repeated in the first stanza to highlight the series of commands given to Amanda.

Enjambment

Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a terminal punctuation mark.

Example:

• “There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me— a mermaid, drifting blissfully.”

Contrast

Contrast is used to highlight differences between two elements. In this poem, there is a stark contrast between Amanda’s real life and her imaginative world.

Example:

• The nagging commands and questions from the authoritative figure contrast sharply with Amanda’s peaceful and liberating fantasies.

Personification

Personification involves giving human characteristics to non-human things.

Example:

• “The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.” (Silence and freedom are given human-like qualities of being ‘golden’ and ‘sweet.’)

Symbolism

Symbolism involves using symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Example:

• The “emerald sea” symbolizes tranquility and freedom.
• Rapunzel’s tower symbolizes isolation but also a peaceful retreat from the outside world.

Irony

Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, often highlighting a discrepancy.

Example:

• The speaker says, “Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda!” which is ironic because the entire poem consists of the speaker nagging Amanda.

Difficult Words and Their Meanings

• Languid: Slow, relaxed, and unenergetic.
• Emerald: A bright green color, often associated with the gemstone emerald.
• Sole: The only one; single.
• Inhabitant: A person or animal that lives in or occupies a place.
• Blissfully: In a manner characterized by extreme happiness or joy.
• Orphan: A child whose parents are dead.
• Roaming: Moving about or traveling aimlessly or unsystematically, especially over a wide area.
• Pattern: To create a repeated decorative design.
• Hushed: Quiet and still.
• Tranquil: Calm, peaceful, and free from disturbance.
• Sulking: Being silent, morose, and bad-tempered out of annoyance or disappointment.
• Moody: Given to unpredictable changes of mood, especially sudden bouts of gloominess or sullenness.

Questions and Answers

Question 1:

How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?

Answer: Amanda is likely a young adolescent, around 10-12 years old. This is inferred from the nature of the instructions she receives, such as being told to finish her homework, tidy her room, and sit up straight, which are typical concerns for a child in that age group.

Question 2:

Who do you think is speaking to her?

Answer: The speaker is likely a parent or guardian, as the tone is authoritative and concerned with Amanda’s behavior, appearance, and responsibilities.

Question 3:

Why are Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 given in parenthesis?

Answer: Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 are given in parenthesis to indicate that these are Amanda’s thoughts and fantasies. They represent her inner world and imagination, which she retreats into as a form of escape from the nagging.

Question 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 in Stanzas 2, 4, and 6 is Amanda herself. She is not listening to the speaker in Stanzas 1, 3, 5, and 7; instead, she is lost in her own imaginative world as a way to cope with the constant instructions and criticisms.

Question 5:

What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?

Answer: If Amanda were a mermaid, she could drift blissfully in a calm, emerald sea, free from any responsibilities or nagging. This represents her desire for peace and freedom.

Question 6:

Is Amanda an orphan? Why does she say so?

Answer: No, Amanda is not an orphan. She says so in her imagination because she associates being an orphan with having the freedom to roam the streets without any restrictions or commands from adults.

Question 7:

Do you know the story of Rapunzel? Why does she want to be Rapunzel?

Answer: Yes, the story of Rapunzel is about a girl with long hair who is locked in a tower by a witch. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel because she imagines life in the tower as tranquil and rare, offering her solitude and peace away from the constant nagging.

Question 8:

What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?

Answer: The girl yearns for freedom, peace, and an escape from the constant control and instructions she faces. The poem tells us that Amanda feels overwhelmed and constrained by the expectations placed on her and seeks solace in her imaginative world.

Question 9:

Read the last stanza. Do you think Amanda is sulking and moody?

Answer: In the last stanza, it is suggested that Amanda might appear to be sulking and moody to the speaker. However, this behavior is likely a result of her feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood. Amanda’s retreat into her imagination indicates that she is coping with her feelings of frustration and desire for freedom.