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Explanation of The Poem A Work of Artifice by Marge Piercy

The poem 'A Work of Artifice' by Marge Piercy illustrates how society restricts women's potential, comparing them to a bonsai tree that is kept small by a gardener's pruning. It emphasizes that women are conditioned from a young age to accept limited roles and that their true capabilities are stifled. Ultimately, the poem critiques these societal constraints and advocates for women's freedom to grow and achieve their dreams.

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150 views3 pages

Explanation of The Poem A Work of Artifice by Marge Piercy

The poem 'A Work of Artifice' by Marge Piercy illustrates how society restricts women's potential, comparing them to a bonsai tree that is kept small by a gardener's pruning. It emphasizes that women are conditioned from a young age to accept limited roles and that their true capabilities are stifled. Ultimately, the poem critiques these societal constraints and advocates for women's freedom to grow and achieve their dreams.

Uploaded by

rishysubhish22
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Explanation of the Poem A Work of Artifice by Marge Piercy

Introduction:

This poem talks about how society controls and limits women, just
like a gardener shapes a bonsai tree to keep it small. The poet
compares women to the bonsai tree to show how they are stopped
from reaching their full potential.

Line-by-Line Explanation:

Lines 1-5:

"The bonsai tree


in the attractive pot
could have grown eighty feet tall
on the side of a mountain
till split by lightning."

 The bonsai tree (women) is kept small in a pot, just like


women are kept in limited roles.
 But in nature, the tree could have grown tall and strong, just
like women could achieve great things if they were free.
 "Till split by lightning" means the tree would have faced
challenges but lived freely, rather than being safe and small.

Lines 6-8 (Conclusion):

"But a gardener
carefully pruned it.
It is nine inches high.”

 The gardener keeps cutting the tree, just like society keeps
limiting women.
 The tree is now only nine inches high, meaning it has been
stopped from growing..
Lines 9-14:

"Every day as he
whittles back the branches
the gardener croons.
It is your nature to be small and cozy,
domestic and weak;"

 The gardener represents society or men who control women.


 "Whittles back the branches" means cutting the tree so it stays
small. This symbolizes how women are controlled from a
young age.
 The gardener sings gently, showing that this control seems
caring but is actually limiting.
 He tells the tree (women) that it is natural to be small, weak,
and stay at home, but this is not true—it is forced.

Lines 15-22:

"With living creatures


one must begin very early
to dwarf their growth:
the bound feet,
the crippled brain,

the hair in curlers,

the hands you


love to touch."

 Society starts controlling women from childhood so they stay


weak.
 "Bound feet" refers to an old Chinese custom where women’s
feet were tied to keep them small.
 "Crippled brain" means denying education or freedom to
women.
 "Hair in curlers" represents how women are forced to focus on
beauty instead of learning and growing.

 Despite these restrictions, women are still expected to please


others, especially men.

Main Ideas of the Poem:

1. Women Are Limited by Society – Just like a bonsai tree is kept


small, women are controlled and restricted.
2. Women Have Great Potential – The tree could have grown
tall, meaning women can achieve a lot if given freedom.
3. Control Starts at a Young Age – Society teaches girls from
childhood to stay weak and dependent.
4. Women Are Made to Believe They Are Happy – Even though
their growth is stopped, they are told it is for their own good.

Conclusion:

This poem shows how women’s potential is controlled by society,


just like a bonsai tree is shaped by a gardener. The poet criticizes
these restrictions and wants women to be free to grow and achieve
their dreams.

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