A Work of Artifice
Julie Koszalkowski
Mrs. Myszkowski
English 1102
07 July 2013 The Analysis of Marge Piercy’s “A Work of Artifice” Marge Piercy’s “A Work of Artifice” is a poem that begins in a simple manner, but unfolds into a more complex statement about the oppression of women. Marge Piercy, a feminist, struggled to have her work published, but at age sixty-three her dreams finally came through in the year 1999. The last word in the title, artifice, is defined as the use of trickery to reach a result. In the poem a bonsai tree is shaped by a male gardener that only allows the plant to grow to his desired measurements. The poem then shifts to include the subordination of women. Both the bonsai tree and the woman are viewed as results of artifice. Piercy’s words may bring anger to women reading this poem, but the truth of her message will inspire those that crave change. Through “A Work of Artifice”, the visually imagery displays male dominance and the roles set for women in society. The tone portrayed through word choice seems bitter and sarcastic. The way Piercy displays the gardener is strange. During the poem, the gardener begins singing to the bonsai tree and says: “It is your nature/ to be small and cozy/ domestic and weak/ how lucky, little tree, / to have a pot to grow in.” (11. 12-16). The gardener, like many men, seems to want total control and views women as possessions. Women are often seen as housekeepers, child bearers, and slaves. After reading the poem, it is evident that the author is trying to start a movement to break out of the roles being placed on women. Marge Piercy has struggled to gain rights for women, so while writing this poem she used strong figurative language to display female oppression and male dominance. The bonsai tree is used as a metaphor for women. The gardener gives the tree human characteristics by signifying the tree should feel grateful for having a nice pot and
Mrs. Myszkowski
English 1102
07 July 2013 The Analysis of Marge Piercy’s “A Work of Artifice” Marge Piercy’s “A Work of Artifice” is a poem that begins in a simple manner, but unfolds into a more complex statement about the oppression of women. Marge Piercy, a feminist, struggled to have her work published, but at age sixty-three her dreams finally came through in the year 1999. The last word in the title, artifice, is defined as the use of trickery to reach a result. In the poem a bonsai tree is shaped by a male gardener that only allows the plant to grow to his desired measurements. The poem then shifts to include the subordination of women. Both the bonsai tree and the woman are viewed as results of artifice. Piercy’s words may bring anger to women reading this poem, but the truth of her message will inspire those that crave change. Through “A Work of Artifice”, the visually imagery displays male dominance and the roles set for women in society. The tone portrayed through word choice seems bitter and sarcastic. The way Piercy displays the gardener is strange. During the poem, the gardener begins singing to the bonsai tree and says: “It is your nature/ to be small and cozy/ domestic and weak/ how lucky, little tree, / to have a pot to grow in.” (11. 12-16). The gardener, like many men, seems to want total control and views women as possessions. Women are often seen as housekeepers, child bearers, and slaves. After reading the poem, it is evident that the author is trying to start a movement to break out of the roles being placed on women. Marge Piercy has struggled to gain rights for women, so while writing this poem she used strong figurative language to display female oppression and male dominance. The bonsai tree is used as a metaphor for women. The gardener gives the tree human characteristics by signifying the tree should feel grateful for having a nice pot and
Cited: Piercy, Marge. “A Work of Artifice.” chattahoocheetech.angellearning. 1999. Web. 11 July 2013.