A WORK OF ARTIFICE POEM SUMMARY AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ICSE (2024) CLASS 9 SOLUTION |
Get complete information about "A WORK OF ARTIFICE" written by Marge Piercy and was published in 1999,summary and important and additional questions and answers of the poem.
ABOUT THE POET- MARGE PIERCE
Marge piercy ( March 32- 1936 till present) was born in Detroit, Michigan.
She is an American progressive activist and writer She was the first member in her family to attend college, She won the scholarship to attend the University of Michigan.
She had Published about 20 books of poetry and about 20 novels. "WOMAN OF THE EDGE OF TIME" is a novel of 1976. "BARBIE DOLL" is poem of 1959.
A WORK OF ARTIFICE - SUMMARY
THE BONSAI TREE
IN THE ATTRACTIVE POT
COULD HAVE GROWN EIGHTY FEET TALL
ON THE SIDE OF MOUNTAIN
TILL SPILIT BY LIGHTNING.
This poem is about a bonsai tree that could have grown to 80 feet tall on the side of the mountain until it was split by lightning. This causes its growth to halt suddenly or undergo change implying the difference between growth and death.
BUT A GARDNER A
CAREFULLY PRUNED IT
INT IS NINE INCHES HIGH.
EVERY DAY AS HE
WHITTLES BACK THE BRANCHES
THE GARDNER CROONS,
The poet speaks of a Bonsai tree which has been placed in an attractive pot in a garden. These branches are carefully cut off by Gardener so that it never grows to its full height; it is just nine inches high.
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
According to the poet, being small and cozy is natural for bonsai trees, a fact that suggests they cannot grow much in wild. The gardener call it as a luck, perhaps, that the bonsai tree has an attractive pot to grow in. It also means that their growth is carefully controlled by the gardener. This poem talks about how males dominant society shapes women right from childhood and prevents them from realizing what they can achieve.
ONE MUST BEING VERY EARLY
TO DWARF THEIR GROWTH:
THE BOUND FEET,
THE CRIPPLED BRAIN,
THE HAIR IN CURLERS,
THE HANDS YOU
LOVE TO TOUCH.
The poet conclude by drawing attention between the bonsai tree and various ways in which women's growth and their potential have been limited due to make dominate society, such as boundary feet, crippled brain.
MESSAGE TO THE READER - A WORK OF ARTIFICE
Marge Piercy " A WORK OF ARTIFICE" uses the Bonsai tree as a metaphor for societal expections of women. The branches of the trees are carefully pruned by the gardener, symbolizing how male dominate the society and restrict the women to unlock their full potential. This poem highlights about how the male dominating society shape women from their early childhood and prevent them to unlock their full potential. Marge piercy wants to send message to the world that we should not restrict the growth of women both mentally and physically and allowing them to unlock their full potential.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS - A WORK OF ARTIFICE
THE BOUND FEET,
THE CRIPPLED BRAIN,
THE HAIR CURLERS,
THE HANDS YOU
LOVE TO TOUCH.
1.Who is being referred to here? How has the person referred to, earlier in the poem?
The above lines are being to referred to the living creatures( women) in general.
Earlier in the poem, it is talking about the bonsai tree that could have grown About 80 feet tall along the mountain side, But a gardener pruned it to make it small and cozy in the attractive pot. This is used as a metaphor between the bonsai tree and women, to how people's live can be shaped or limited by external influences, like the Bonsai tree being shaped by the gardener.
"IT IS YOUR NATURE TO BE SMALL AND COZY, DOMESTIC AND WEAK; HOW LUCKY, LITTLE TREE, TO HAVE A POT TO GROWN IN."
2. In which context are feet"bouud"? What does it symbolize?
In this poem the "THE BOUND FEET" refers to the historical practice of foot binding, where women's feet are tightly bound to change their shape and to prevent their growth.
This symbolizes societal expections that can limit an individual's freedom and potential. The mentioned" THE BOUND FEET" in the poem represents the idea to people, like the bonsai tree is being pruned by the gardener, people (women) may also face limitations by the external or societal pressure.
3. What does the speaker intend to do by mentioning "the hair curlers" ?
The poet intention by mentioning "THE HAIR IN CURLERS" it is pointing to the societal expections about the appearance and beauty of the individual. The above mentioned lines suggests that people (women) might get influenced by the external pressure similar to how the bonsai tree is shaped by the gardener. The Speaker wants to tell that like the tree, women or other individuals can be influenced by the society or external pressure that might prevent their growth to their full potential.
4. Explain the irony in the last two lines.
The irony in the last two lines lies in the contrast between the positive phrase "THE HAND YOU LOVE TO TOUCH" and the negative side or problems such as "THE BOUND FEET," "THE CRIPPLED BRAIN," and THE HAIR IN CURLERS.". This irony highlights the complexity and contradiction in relationships and society's expectations related to women.
5. What does the poet seem to grieve over? What does she expect of the person's referral?
"A WORK OF ARTIFICE" poet is sad about people having restricted lives, like the bonsai tree kept in the small, attractive pot.She expects those people to realize that they can grow to their full potential and are not just following society's rules that might limit their growth or potential. The poet encourages people to be true to themselves and not let society stop their personal growth.
LEARN MORE ABOUT -
- I remember, I remember - by Thomas Hod
- Oliver ask for more - Charles Dickens
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