Amanda is a young girl who is constantly nagged and scolded by her parents. She appears to be a dreamer who escapes into an imaginary world to find peace and freedom. She longs to be a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel — free from all restrictions. Though she seems inattentive and moody, she is actually a sensitive child who feels suffocated by the never-ending instructions imposed on her. She is not rebellious but simply seeks space and independence. Overall, Amanda evokes sympathy as a child misunderstood by over-protective parents.
This question is from the poem Amanda! by Robin Klein (Chapter 6, First Flight). The examiner expects you to discuss Amanda's character traits: her dreamy, imaginative nature; her longing for freedom; and her response to constant parental nagging. Use textual evidence (her daydreams of being a mermaid, orphan, Rapunzel) to support your points. Avoid simply retelling the poem — focus on what her behavior and fantasies reveal about her personality. No source passage was provided for this poem, so the answer is based on the prescribed textbook content.