What is the tone of the poem amanda?
I see the tone as deeply ironic and oppressive. The irony lies in the fact that the adult speaker is constantly monitoring and correcting Amanda's public image ("Don’t slouch," "eat that chocolate"), while completely ignoring her rich, internal, and imaginative world (the mermaid, the orphan). The speaker is trying to mold Amanda into a societal ideal of a 'well-behaved' girl, but in doing so, they are actively crushing her spirit and individuality. The repetitive structure, using parentheses for Amanda's inner thoughts, serves to emphasize the oppressive and suffocating nature of the constant instructions. It's a verbal prison from which Amanda seeks to escape into her own silent, imaginative spaces. The tone is less about simple frustration and more about the psychological burden placed on a child.
Many readers feel the tone is also critical of over-parenting, as it highlights how constant nagging can suppress a child’s creativity and independence.
The overall tone of the poem "Amanda!" is predominantly critical, frustrated, and sympathetic. 1. Critical and Frustrated: The voice speaking to Amanda (presumably her parent or guardian) is constantly scolding, nagging, and pointing out her supposed flaws—slouching, not cleaning her room, eating chocolate, etc. This creates a tone of parental frustration and a critical or fault-finding atmosphere. The questions and commands are delivered with an insistent, irritating, and controlling rhythm. 2. Sympathetic: Simultaneously, there is a strong undercurrent of sympathy for Amanda. Her fantasy daydreams (being an orphan, a mermaid, Rapunzel) provide a stark contrast to the harsh reality of the speaker's voice. This contrast highlights Amanda’s desire for freedom and escape, making the reader feel a deep sense of pity and connection to her restricted life. The poem critiques the speaker's method of parenting by evoking sympathy for Amanda's plight.
The tone of the poem “Amanda” by Robin Klein is a mix of didactic and reflective. On one side, the parent’s voice is strict and commanding, constantly instructing Amanda on what to do and what not to do. On the other side, Amanda’s responses are filled with imagination, showing a tone of escapism and longing for freedom.