Bonsai

techniques in writing "A Work of Artifice." In this poem, Piercy reflects on the growth of a bonsai tree, considering the molded existence of what it is to what it could have naturally been. With deeper analysis of this poem, the correlation between a bonsai tree and the shaped role of women within society becomes evident. The poet introduces one specific metaphor in the beginning, comparing the growth of a bonsai tree to the development of women. This single metaphor is supported throughout

such as metaphors, diction and allusions to show how society subjugates women to fit the “accepted” idea of beauty. Throughout “A Work of Artifice” , an extended metaphor of a Bonsai Tree is used. The Bonsai tree represents a women. A gardener is also used to represent a man and/or society. The speaker expresses that the Bonsai Tree could have grown eighty feet tall but was pruned by a gardener to be

The Pampered Life of a Bonsai What if beer was never invented? What would fraternities take pride in? What would they do in place of a keg stand? What would be the drink of choice for white dads across America? A world where my dad can be seen drinking a girly drink while admiring the freshly cut lawn is a humorous yet alarming possibility. This nightmarish thought would be reality without women. Research lead by historian Jane Peyton, supports the idea that women's specialty for millenniums was

making of a bonsai tree and explains the gardener's point of view on it as it is pruned and cared for by him. Bonsai trees are usually versions of a normal tree that are hindered in growth and kept miniature for the sole purpose of visual pleasure. They require regular pruning and an extensive amount of work by the gardener so they can grow properly. The Bonsai tree is tied into the poem extremely well by the author. She even produces a magnificent extended metaphor out of the bonsai tree. During

feminist poem “A Work of Artifice.” Although to the untrained eye,”A Work of Artifice” may appear to be simply about bonsai trees, the poem actually uses an extended, implied metaphor or to emphasize the damaging effects of misogyny on women and to underscore the patriarchal ignorance that oppresses women.

there of. In the poem, the speaker uses a metaphor to compare the main character to a bonsai tree, in that they are both “trimmed” and kept from reaching their full potential. In the poem the main character is very similar to a bonsai tree in that they both are being held back and having their identities stolen and being forced to be something that they are not. In lines 1-5 the speaker describes the bonsai “The bonsai tree. . ./ Could have grown eighty feet tall/ on the side of the mountain/ till split

dilemma the the use of metaphor (a bonsai tree). A bonsai tree is “an ornamental tree or shrub grown in a pot and artificially prevented from reaching its normal size.” Given the opportunity, this tree could grow to enormous heights. Yet, it is trimmed by gardeners’. This metaphor of the tree compared to women’s suppression and the gardener as the suppressor. Women have been “bound” to “domestic” duties and Marge

poem, “A Work of Artifice,” Marge Piercy describes a bonsai tree, a plant that if left alone would grow to be monumental in size and strength, that has been deliberately cut back since it was a seedling, doomed to a life in miniature. She then masterfully creates an extended metaphor between the life of a bonsai tree and the limited role forced upon women in her time. Piercy begins her poem by noting the loss of potential represented by the bonsai tree, sitting in a pot when it could have, and by all

pieces of work. There is a misconception presented in both the needs and wants of both the creature in Frankenstein and the bonsai tree in “A Work of Artifice”. “It is your nature to be

Ms. Bonsai is a 67 year old lady from Asian descent who has been a widow for four years. Unfortunately her English is not very fluent and has had problems adjusting to the American culture. This has caused her to slowly isolate, while her husband was still alive yet often away for work. In that period of her life she created in her mind fictions world where she would find refuge similar to her native country. Through her marriage, Ms. Bonsai was regular the victim of domestic abuse however because