CBSE Class 10 First Flight Chapter 17: Amanda NCERT Solutions

Amanda appears to be a young school-going child, likely around 9 or 10 years old. This is inferred from the nature of the instructions she receives. Her parents are trying to teach her proper etiquette and good manners, which are typical concerns for children of this age. The constant corrections suggest an effort to shape her behavior during formative years.

The speaker is most likely one of Amanda's parents, and traditionally, mothers are often seen as the primary caregivers responsible for a child's upbringing and conduct. The range and type of instructions given—covering posture, tidiness, and behavior—strongly suggest that the speaker is Amanda's mother.

The stanzas enclosed in parentheses (stanzas 2, 4, and 6) are used to represent Amanda's inner thoughts, daydreams, and imaginative escapes. They serve as a contrast to the direct instructions and scolding given in the other stanzas (1, 3, and 5). This formatting helps the reader distinguish between the external commands and Amanda's internal world, making the poem's structure clearer and more engaging.

The speaker in stanzas 2, 4, and 6 is Amanda herself, expressing her inner desires and fantasies. No, Amanda is not actively listening to the speaker in stanzas 1, 3, 5, and 7 (her parent). She is lost in her own world of imagination, using it as a refuge from the constant criticism and instructions she receives, indicating a lack of attention to the external commands.

If Amanda were a mermaid, she imagines herself drifting aimlessly and languidly on the gentle waves of a beautiful, emerald-green sea. She longs for a state of complete freedom and solitude, where she can simply be carried by the currents without any responsibilities or external interference. This fantasy represents her deep desire for a life free from the constraints and demands of her current reality.

No, Amanda is not an orphan. She expresses a wish to be an orphan because she feels overwhelmed and stressed by the continuous nagging and instructions from her parents. The constant criticism makes her feel that being alone, without parental presence, might be a more peaceful and desirable state. She craves 'golden' silence and 'sweet' freedom, which she feels is unattainable while under constant supervision.

The story of Rapunzel is about a girl locked in a high tower by a witch, who later escapes with the help of a prince. Rapunzel lived a secluded life in the tower, eventually finding happiness there. Amanda wishes to be like Rapunzel, living in isolation in a high tower, seeking peace and harmony away from everyone. However, she adds a crucial detail: she would never let her hair down for anyone to climb up, signifying her desire for absolute privacy and freedom from any intrusion or demands, even from those who might offer help.

Amanda yearns for freedom, personal space, and the liberty to be herself without constant supervision or correction. She feels unable to meet the expectations placed upon her. The poem portrays Amanda as a symbol for many children who experience similar pressures in traditional societies. It highlights how excessive demands and lack of understanding from parents can suppress a child's imagination, individuality, and sense of self, leading them to seek refuge in fantasy.