'A Work Of Artifice' by Marge Piercy

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The bonsai tree
in the attractive pot
could have grown eighty feet tall
on the side of a mountain
till split by lightning.
But a gardener
carefully pruned it.
It is nine inches high.
Every day as he
whittles back the branches
the gardener croons,
It is your nature
to be small and cozy,
domestic and weak;
how lucky, little tree,
to have a pot to grow in.
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.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, A Work Of Artifice": A Critical Interpretation

Marge Piercy's "Poetry, A Work Of Artifice" is a beautiful and complex poem that delves into themes of nature, femininity, and artistic creation. Through vivid imagery and deft language, Piercy presents a powerful critique of traditional gender roles and societal expectations.

Setting the Scene

The poem begins with an image of a bonsai tree, a small and carefully cultivated plant that is often seen as a symbol of patience and discipline in Japanese culture. Piercy describes the tree as "limited / by nature" and "trimmed / to a pleasing shape". These lines set the tone for the poem, establishing a sense of confinement and restriction that will be explored in greater depth as the poem progresses.

Exploring Nature and Artifice

The bonsai tree is positioned as a metaphor for the position of women in society, who are often expected to conform to a certain set of societal norms and expectations. Piercy draws a clear distinction between the tree's natural beauty and its artificially imposed shape, highlighting the tension between nature and artifice that runs throughout the poem.

As the poem continues, Piercy introduces the figure of the gardener, who is described as "careful" and "patient". These qualities are often associated with traditional feminine traits, and the gardener's actions can be seen as a metaphor for the way women are often expected to tend to the needs of others and maintain a certain level of outward beauty and composure.

Challenging Gender Roles

However, Piercy's poem is not content to simply reinforce traditional gender roles. Instead, she questions the very notion of confinement and restriction, suggesting that there may be something inherently destructive about artificially imposed limitations.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful in this regard, as Piercy describes the bonsai tree as "a little and a lovely thing / however, if it would grow / simply wild and free / on the side of a hill / it would still be beautiful." This image of the tree growing free and unfettered is a powerful rejection of the notion that women should be content to remain confined within their prescribed roles.

Conclusion

In "Poetry, A Work Of Artifice", Marge Piercy has crafted a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Through vivid imagery and skilled language, Piercy explores the tension between nature and artifice, ultimately suggesting that there may be something inherently destructive about artificially imposed limitations.

This is a poem that demands to be read and re-read, its themes and imagery lingering long after the final lines have been spoken. It is a work of artifice, yes, but one that ultimately celebrates the beauty and power of the natural world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has always been a medium for expressing emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Marge Piercy's "A Work of Artifice" is a classic poem that explores the relationship between nature and humans. The poem is a powerful commentary on the way humans manipulate and control nature to suit their own needs. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in the poem and how they contribute to its overall meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a bonsai tree, a small tree that has been carefully cultivated and shaped by human hands. The tree is described as "a little green poem," which immediately sets the tone for the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe how the tree has been "trained" to grow in a certain way, with its branches and roots carefully pruned and shaped. The tree is a metaphor for nature, and the way it has been manipulated by humans is a metaphor for the way humans have tried to control and shape nature to suit their own needs.

The first stanza of the poem sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the relationship between humans and nature. The speaker is critical of the way humans have tried to control and shape nature, and the bonsai tree is a powerful symbol of this. The tree has been stripped of its natural beauty and forced to conform to human standards of beauty. The speaker is suggesting that this is a form of violence against nature, and that humans should respect and appreciate nature for what it is, rather than trying to control and shape it.

The second stanza of the poem introduces a new character, a "gnarled old woman." The woman is a symbol of nature, and the way she is described is in stark contrast to the bonsai tree. While the tree has been carefully cultivated and shaped, the woman is described as "gnarled" and "wild." This contrast highlights the difference between nature that has been shaped by humans and nature that is allowed to grow and develop on its own.

The woman is also described as "wise," which suggests that she has a deep understanding of nature and its rhythms. The speaker is suggesting that humans should learn from nature, rather than trying to control it. The woman's wisdom is contrasted with the ignorance of the person who has shaped the bonsai tree. The speaker suggests that the person who has shaped the tree is ignorant of the true beauty of nature, and that they have reduced it to a mere object of their own desire.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful statement about the relationship between humans and nature. The speaker suggests that humans should not try to control nature, but rather should appreciate it for what it is. The bonsai tree is described as "a little green cage," which suggests that the person who has shaped it has imprisoned it. The speaker is suggesting that humans should not try to imprison nature, but rather should allow it to grow and develop on its own.

The final line of the poem, "A work of artifice is a man's (sic) illusion of nature," is a powerful statement about the way humans view nature. The speaker is suggesting that humans have created an illusion of nature, and that this illusion is not true to the natural world. The bonsai tree is a symbol of this illusion, and the speaker is suggesting that humans should break free from this illusion and appreciate nature for what it is.

In terms of imagery, the poem is full of powerful images that contribute to its overall meaning. The bonsai tree is a powerful symbol of the way humans have tried to control and shape nature. The woman is a symbol of nature, and the way she is described is in stark contrast to the bonsai tree. The tree is described as "a little green poem," which suggests that it has been reduced to a mere object of human desire. The woman, on the other hand, is described as "gnarled" and "wild," which suggests that she is a force of nature that cannot be controlled.

The poem is also full of powerful metaphors. The bonsai tree is a metaphor for nature, and the way it has been shaped is a metaphor for the way humans have tried to control and shape nature. The woman is a metaphor for nature, and the way she is described is a metaphor for the way nature grows and develops on its own.

In conclusion, "A Work of Artifice" is a powerful poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem is critical of the way humans have tried to control and shape nature, and it suggests that humans should appreciate nature for what it is, rather than trying to control it. The bonsai tree is a powerful symbol of the way humans have tried to control and shape nature, and the woman is a powerful symbol of nature itself. The poem is full of powerful imagery and metaphors that contribute to its overall meaning. It is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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