A Work of Artifice -- Poetry Response #11

"A Work of Artifice" by Margret Piercy is a very interesting piece. It is feminist. It is set in Chinese imagery; the bonsai tree, the bound feet. The bonsai tree is used to represent a woman. The gardener is society. Society dictates that a girl fit a certain mold. The mold is small and refined, delicate and gentle. This is image is almost universal. It seems like men would rather watch women than listen to them. I think that this has been changing though. Women are becoming more equal to men, and in some ways are considered superior. For example, a woman in engineering is automatically seen as smart and strong. It is assumed that this is needed to make it in engineering. Piercy's poem is a little outdated, but nonetheless, a comment on society and women.