Day: February 5, 2025

Introduction: “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

“Cinderella” by Anne Sexton first appeared in Transformations (1971), a collection of poems that reinterprets classic fairy tales through a dark, satirical lens. This poem, like the others in the collection, critiques the idealized, sanitized versions of these tales, exposing their underlying brutality, absurdity, and the false promises of “happily ever after.” Sexton’s retelling of Cinderella juxtaposes the classic rags-to-riches narrative with contemporary examples of unlikely success stories, such as a milkman turning into a real estate mogul or a charwoman striking it rich after an accident. The poem is popular as a textbook piece because it embodies key themes of feminist critique, social realism, and the subversion of traditional narratives. Through sardonic humor and stark imagery, Sexton challenges the notion of fairy tale romance, portraying Cinderella and her prince as lifeless, museum-like figures, “never arguing over the timing of an egg, never telling the same story twice, never getting a middle-aged spread.” This haunting final image underscores the artificiality of the fairy tale ideal, making Cinderella a powerful commentary on the unrealistic expectations imposed on women and relationships in a patriarchal society.

Text: “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

You always read about it:
the plumber with the twelve children
who wins the Irish Sweepstakes.
From toilets to riches.
That story.

Or the nursemaid,
some luscious sweet from Denmark
who captures the oldest son’s heart.
from diapers to Dior.
That story.

Or a milkman who serves the wealthy,
eggs, cream, butter, yogurt, milk,
the white truck like an ambulance
who goes into real estate
and makes a pile.
From homogenized to martinis at lunch.

Or the charwoman
who is on the bus when it cracks up
and collects enough from the insurance.
From mops to Bonwit Teller.
That story.

Once
the wife of a rich man was on her deathbed
and she said to her daughter Cinderella:
Be devout. Be good. Then I will smile
down from heaven in the seam of a cloud.
The man took another wife who had
two daughters, pretty enough
but with hearts like blackjacks.
Cinderella was their maid.
She slept on the sooty hearth each night
and walked around looking like Al Jolson.
Her father brought presents home from town,
jewels and gowns for the other women
but the twig of a tree for Cinderella.
She planted that twig on her mother’s grave
and it grew to a tree where a white dove sat.
Whenever she wished for anything the dove
would drop it like an egg upon the ground.
The bird is important, my dears, so heed him.

Next came the ball, as you all know.
It was a marriage market.
The prince was looking for a wife.
All but Cinderella were preparing
and gussying up for the event.
Cinderella begged to go too.
Her stepmother threw a dish of lentils
into the cinders and said: Pick them
up in an hour and you shall go.
The white dove brought all his friends;
all the warm wings of the fatherland came,
and picked up the lentils in a jiffy.
No, Cinderella, said the stepmother,
you have no clothes and cannot dance.
That’s the way with stepmothers.

Cinderella went to the tree at the grave
and cried forth like a gospel singer:
Mama! Mama! My turtledove,
send me to the prince’s ball!
The bird dropped down a golden dress
and delicate little slippers.
Rather a large package for a simple bird.
So she went. Which is no surprise.
Her stepmother and sisters didn’t
recognize her without her cinder face
and the prince took her hand on the spot
and danced with no other the whole day.

As nightfall came she thought she’d better
get home. The prince walked her home
and she disappeared into the pigeon house
and although the prince took an axe and broke
it open she was gone. Back to her cinders.
These events repeated themselves for three days.
However on the third day the prince
covered the palace steps with cobbler’s wax
and Cinderella’s gold shoe stuck upon it.
Now he would find whom the shoe fit
and find his strange dancing girl for keeps.
He went to their house and the two sisters
were delighted because they had lovely feet.
The eldest went into a room to try the slipper on
but her big toe got in the way so she simply
sliced it off and put on the slipper.
The prince rode away with her until the white dove
told him to look at the blood pouring forth.
That is the way with amputations.
They just don’t heal up like a wish.
The other sister cut off her heel
but the blood told as blood will.
The prince was getting tired.
He began to feel like a shoe salesman.
But he gave it one last try.
This time Cinderella fit into the shoe
like a love letter into its envelope.

At the wedding ceremony
the two sisters came to curry favor
and the white dove pecked their eyes out.
Two hollow spots were left
like soup spoons.

Cinderella and the prince
lived, they say, happily ever after,
like two dolls in a museum case
never bothered by diapers or dust,
never arguing over the timing of an egg,
never telling the same story twice,
never getting a middle-aged spread,
their darling smiles pasted on for eternity.
Regular Bobbsey Twins.
That story.

Annotations: “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

Themes: “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

1. The False Promise of “Happily Ever After”: One of the central themes of “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton is the deconstruction of the fairy tale’s promise that wealth, marriage, and beauty lead to eternal happiness. Sexton’s retelling mocks the traditional “happily ever after” by portraying Cinderella and the prince as lifeless, static figures: “Cinderella and the prince lived, they say, happily ever after, like two dolls in a museum case.” The comparison to museum dolls suggests that their relationship is frozen, artificial, and devoid of real emotion or struggle. The repeated phrase “never bothered by diapers or dust, never arguing over the timing of an egg” highlights the unrealistic perfection of their life, emphasizing that true happiness is not as simple as fairy tales suggest. By concluding with “That story,” Sexton dismisses the fairy-tale ending as cliché and unconvincing.
2. The Cruelty and Violence Beneath Fairy Tales: Unlike the sanitized versions of “Cinderella,” Sexton’s version retains and exaggerates the violent elements of the story, exposing the brutality hidden beneath its romanticized surface. The stepsisters, desperate to fit into the golden slipper, mutilate themselves: “The eldest went into a room to try the slipper on but her big toe got in the way so she simply sliced it off.” The grotesque imagery of self-mutilation challenges the notion that fairy tales are innocent stories for children. The punishment of the stepsisters is also extreme, as the white dove pecks out their eyes, leaving “Two hollow spots… like soup spoons.” This violence underscores the idea that fairy tales often enforce harsh moral lessons through cruelty rather than kindness or justice.
3. The Unrealistic Nature of Social Mobility: Sexton repeatedly emphasizes that the Cinderella story, like many rags-to-riches tales, is based on luck rather than merit. The opening stanzas provide modern-day examples of improbable success, such as “the plumber with the twelve children who wins the Irish Sweepstakes” and “the charwoman who is on the bus when it cracks up and collects enough from the insurance.” These stories, much like Cinderella’s transformation, suggest that upward mobility is more a matter of chance than hard work. Cinderella herself does not earn her fortune—she is passively rewarded by the magical dove and chosen by the prince based on her appearance. By mocking the notion that success is accessible to all, Sexton critiques the unrealistic optimism perpetuated by fairy tales and capitalist societies.
4. Women’s Roles and Objectification in Marriage: “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton also highlights the restrictive and transactional nature of marriage, portraying the prince’s search for a bride as a business deal rather than a romantic journey. The ball is described as “a marriage market”, reducing women to commodities being evaluated for their worth. Cinderella’s role in the story is passive—she is chosen by the prince, not for her personality or intelligence, but because she looks beautiful in a golden dress. Even after marriage, she and the prince remain “never telling the same story twice, never getting a middle-aged spread”, implying that they are trapped in a rigid, unrealistic ideal of love. The poem critiques how women in traditional fairy tales are expected to conform to a standard of beauty and obedience, rather than having their own agency.

Literary Theories and “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

Critical Questions about “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

1. How does Anne Sexton use irony to challenge the traditional fairy-tale narrative in “Cinderella”?
   One of the most striking aspects of “Cinderella” is Sexton’s heavy use of irony, which calls into question the believability of the classic fairy tale. Throughout the poem, the phrase “That story.” is repeated in a dismissive tone, implying that the Cinderella tale is overly simplistic and unconvincing. The use of modern success stories at the beginning—“the plumber with the twelve children who wins the Irish Sweepstakes”—sets up the idea that Cinderella’s transformation is just as improbable as these exaggerated rags-to-riches stories. Additionally, the closing lines, “like two dolls in a museum case,” portray Cinderella and her prince as lifeless figures, mocking the idea of a perfect ending. By using irony, Sexton forces the reader to reconsider whether fairy tales offer genuine hope or merely empty fantasies.
2. What role does violence play in Sexton’s retelling of “Cinderella,” and how does it affect the reader’s perception of the story?
   Unlike the sanitized versions of Cinderella popularized by Disney, Sexton’s poem retains and exaggerates the gruesome elements of the original Grimm Brothers’ tale. The stepsisters go to horrifying lengths to fit the golden slipper, with one “simply [slicing] off” her toe and the other cutting off her heel. The grotesque image of “blood pouring forth” undercuts the traditional fairy-tale notion that beauty and goodness will always prevail. Even Cinderella’s eventual triumph is tainted by violence, as the white dove pecks out the eyes of the stepsisters, leaving “Two hollow spots… like soup spoons.” This brutality forces the reader to acknowledge that fairy tales often rely on cruelty and suffering to enforce their moral lessons. Sexton’s inclusion of such violent details critiques the fairy tale’s hidden darkness, making the reader question whether Cinderella’s “happily ever after” is truly satisfying or merely a consequence of others’ pain.
3. How does “Cinderella” reflect societal expectations of women, and what commentary does Sexton offer on gender roles?
   Sexton’s “Cinderella” challenges traditional gender roles by exposing how fairy tales reinforce restrictive expectations for women. Cinderella is portrayed as a passive character who does not actively shape her own fate but instead waits for magical intervention and male approval. The phrase “It was a marriage market” strips the ball of any romantic illusion, reducing it to a transactional event where women are evaluated like commodities. Even after her supposed victory, Cinderella remains trapped in an artificial perfection: “never arguing over the timing of an egg, / never getting a middle-aged spread.” This description highlights the unrealistic pressures placed on women to maintain beauty, silence, and harmony in marriage. Sexton’s sarcastic tone suggests that such expectations are oppressive, challenging the notion that marriage and wealth equate to true happiness.
4. Does “Cinderella” suggest that social mobility is an illusion, and how does Sexton use satire to critique this idea?
   The poem questions the legitimacy of the rags-to-riches narrative, suggesting that social mobility is often a fantasy rather than an attainable reality. The opening stanzas present exaggerated success stories—such as a nursemaid who rises “from diapers to Dior”—highlighting the randomness and luck involved in these transformations. Cinderella’s own rise is similarly based on chance rather than merit; she does not earn her wealth but is instead granted it by a magical dove. The prince does not choose her for her personality or intelligence but simply because “Cinderella fit into the shoe like a love letter into its envelope.” This shallow selection process reveals how arbitrary her ascent truly is. Sexton’s satirical tone, especially in phrases like “That story,” mocks the unrealistic notion that fairy tales teach us about real-world success. By doing so, she critiques the way society promotes unattainable dreams of effortless wealth and happiness.

Literary Works Similar to “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

1. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by Anne Sexton – Like “Cinderella”, this poem from Transformations uses dark humor, irony, and grotesque imagery to critique the traditional fairy tale and its unrealistic portrayal of female purity and passivity.
2. “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath – Plath’s poem, like “Cinderella,” critiques traditional gender roles and the objectification of women, presenting marriage as a transactional and dehumanizing institution.
3. “Little Red Riding Hood” by Anne Sexton – Another poem from Transformations, it deconstructs the classic fairy tale with cynical humor and violent imagery, much like “Cinderella,” to expose the dangers lurking beneath traditional stories.
4. “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy – While not a direct fairy-tale retelling, this poem shares “Cinderella’s” feminist critique of beauty standards and the societal pressure on women to conform to unrealistic expectations.
5. “Gretel in Darkness” by Louise Glück – This poem, like “Cinderella,” reimagines a fairy tale from a modern perspective, exploring trauma, survival, and the emotional consequences of traditional happily-ever-afters.

Representative Quotations of “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

Suggested Readings: “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton

1. OSTRIKER, ALICIA. “That Story: Anne Sexton And Her Transformations.” The American Poetry Review, vol. 11, no. 4, 1982, pp. 11–16. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27776967. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
2. Keely, Karen A. “‘[T]His Book of Odd Tales/Which Transform the Brothers Grimm’: Teaching Anne Sextons Transformations.” The English Journal, vol. 98, no. 2, 2008, pp. 69–75. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40503386. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
3. Broumas, Olga, and Stanley Kunitz. “Cinderella.” Beginning with O, Yale University Press, 1977, pp. 57–58. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt32btgc.30. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
4. Mason, David. “Anne Sexton and Her Times.” The Hudson Review, vol. 45, no. 1, 1992, pp. 167–74. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3852113. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
5. Harries, Elizabeth Wanning. “The Mirror Broken: Women’s Autobiography and Fairy Tales.” Marvels & Tales, vol. 14, no. 1, 2000, pp. 122–35. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41380745. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
6. Brewer, Gaylord. “Apologia to Anne Sexton.” The North American Review, vol. 290, no. 5, 2005, pp. 17–17. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25127431. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

Introduction: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

“Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, first appeared in 1971 in her poetry collection To Be of Use, critiques the rigid and oppressive beauty standards imposed on women, illustrating how societal expectations force young girls to conform at the expense of their self-worth and individuality. The narrative follows a girl who, despite her intelligence and strength, is reduced to her physical appearance, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion where she “cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up.” The poem’s stark imagery and biting irony make it a powerful feminist statement, emphasizing the consequences of unrealistic beauty ideals. It remains a widely studied text in literature classes because of its accessible language, sharp social commentary, and emotional impact. Lines like “Doesn’t she look pretty? everyone said. / Consummation at last. / To every woman a happy ending.” expose the grim reality behind the façade of perfection, making the poem a compelling critique of gender norms.

Text: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

This girlchild was born as usual
and presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE stoves and irons
and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy.
Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:
You have a great big nose and fat legs.

She was healthy, tested intelligent,
possessed strong arms and back,
abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.
She went to and fro apologizing.
Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.

She was advised to play coy,
exhorted to come on hearty,
exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.
Her good nature wore out
like a fan belt.
So she cut off her nose and her legs
and offered them up.

In the casket displayed on satin she lay
with the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on,
a turned-up putty nose,
dressed in a pink and white nightie.
Doesn’t she look pretty? everyone said.
Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending.

Annotations: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Themes: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

1. Unrealistic Beauty Standards and Societal Expectations: One of the central themes in “Barbie Doll” is the unrealistic beauty standards imposed on women by society. From birth, the girl is given toys that reinforce traditional gender roles: “presented dolls that did pee-pee / and miniature GE stoves and irons.” These gifts symbolize the early conditioning of girls to fulfill roles of caretakers and homemakers, while also emphasizing the importance of appearance. However, despite being “healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back,” she is judged solely by her physical features. The moment a classmate comments, “You have a great big nose and fat legs,” her self-image begins to deteriorate. This harsh scrutiny reflects how society prioritizes beauty over intelligence, strength, or character, forcing women to conform to impossible ideals. Ultimately, the girl succumbs to the pressure, symbolized by her drastic transformation in the poem’s final lines, where she is laid in a casket with “a turned-up putty nose”—suggesting that only in death does she meet society’s expectations of beauty.

2. The Destructive Effects of Gender Roles: The poem highlights the rigid and oppressive gender roles that dictate how women should behave. From a young age, the girl is taught to be submissive, attractive, and accommodating. She is instructed to “play coy, / exhorted to come on hearty, / exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.” These conflicting demands reveal the impossible balance women must maintain—being both reserved and outgoing, obedient yet appealing. The pressure to conform wears her down, leading to the disturbing imagery: “Her good nature wore out / like a fan belt.” This metaphor suggests that she is treated like a machine, expected to function perfectly until she ultimately breaks under the pressure. The theme critiques how gender roles strip women of their individuality, forcing them to sacrifice their authenticity to meet societal expectations.

3. Self-Destruction and the Loss of Identity: Throughout “Barbie Doll,” the protagonist struggles with her self-worth, feeling inadequate despite her intelligence and abilities. Society reduces her identity to her physical appearance, overshadowing all other qualities. This rejection leads to self-destructive behavior, illustrated in the line: “So she cut off her nose and her legs / and offered them up.” While not literal, this extreme imagery signifies the emotional and psychological toll of trying to fit unrealistic standards. The girl is metaphorically forced to remove the parts of herself that are deemed unacceptable, erasing her identity in the process. The ultimate tragedy is that she is only recognized as “pretty” in death, reinforcing the idea that society’s approval comes at the cost of self-destruction. This theme serves as a powerful critique of the way external pressures can lead to severe consequences, including loss of self-esteem, depression, and even self-harm.

4. The Irony of Societal Approval and “Perfection”: Irony is deeply embedded in “Barbie Doll,” particularly in how society’s perception of the girl changes after her death. While alive, she is judged and pressured to conform, yet once she has succumbed to these pressures, she is praised: “Doesn’t she look pretty? everyone said. / Consummation at last.” The word “consummation” typically means fulfillment or completion, but in this context, it is darkly ironic—her death is framed as a “happy ending” because she has finally achieved the beauty society demanded of her. The final line, “To every woman a happy ending,” drips with sarcasm, exposing the cruel reality that women are only valued when they fit impossible ideals, even if it means losing themselves in the process. This theme critiques the societal obsession with appearance, revealing how approval is often granted only when it is too late.

Literary Theories and “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Critical Questions about “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

• How does “Barbie Doll” critique societal beauty standards, and what are the consequences for the poem’s protagonist?
• “Barbie Doll” directly critiques the unrealistic and damaging beauty standards imposed on women from a young age. The girl in the poem is born “as usual,” signifying that she starts as a normal child. However, from the beginning, she is given traditional gendered toys like “dolls that did pee-pee / and miniature GE stoves and irons,” reinforcing the expectation that she will grow up to be a caretaker and homemaker. Despite her intelligence and physical strength, society disregards these qualities in favor of her appearance. The turning point comes when a classmate tells her, “You have a great big nose and fat legs,” which marks the beginning of her internal struggle. She attempts to conform by dieting, exercising, and pleasing others, but ultimately, she “cut off her nose and her legs / and offered them up.” This extreme imagery symbolizes how societal pressure leads to self-destruction. The final lines, “Doesn’t she look pretty? everyone said,” expose the cruel irony that only in death does she meet beauty standards. The poem ultimately suggests that these standards not only harm women’s self-esteem but can also lead to their psychological or physical destruction.
• How does the poem use irony to highlight the contradictions in societal expectations of women?
• Irony is one of the most powerful literary devices in “Barbie Doll,” used to expose the hypocrisy of societal expectations for women. The most striking example is in the poem’s final lines: “Consummation at last. / To every woman a happy ending.” The word “consummation” usually refers to fulfillment or a successful conclusion, but here, it refers to the girl’s death, suggesting that she only achieves societal approval when she no longer exists. Similarly, the phrase “Doesn’t she look pretty?” is deeply ironic—while the girl struggled to meet beauty standards throughout her life, she is only praised once she has lost herself completely. Another layer of irony is in the way society’s demands are contradictory; she is expected to “play coy,” yet also “come on hearty,” reflecting the impossible balancing act imposed on women. This irony underscores the damaging effects of these expectations, demonstrating how women are set up to fail in a system that demands perfection but continuously shifts its requirements.
• What role does gender socialization play in shaping the girl’s fate in the poem?
• The poem explores how gender socialization—the process of learning societal norms related to one’s gender—contributes to the girl’s tragic fate. From birth, she is molded into a traditional female role by being given dolls, stoves, and lipsticks, which reinforce the idea that her value lies in domesticity and appearance. As she grows older, she receives conflicting messages about how she should behave: “She was advised to play coy, / exhorted to come on hearty, / exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.” These demands show that women are taught to prioritize external approval over their authentic selves. Rather than encouraging self-confidence, society pressures her into a cycle of self-doubt and self-sacrifice. This relentless conditioning ultimately leads her to extreme measures: “So she cut off her nose and her legs / and offered them up,” symbolizing how she erases her true identity to conform. The poem critiques the way gender roles shape women’s lives, showing how deeply ingrained beauty standards can be damaging from an early age.
• How does “Barbie Doll” challenge the notion of a “happy ending” for women?
• The poem subverts the traditional idea of a “happy ending” by presenting a conclusion that is both tragic and deeply ironic. In conventional narratives, women are often rewarded for their beauty and conformity with love, success, or admiration. However, in “Barbie Doll,” the protagonist’s reward comes only in death. The phrase “To every woman a happy ending.” is dripping with sarcasm, as the so-called happy ending is actually her destruction. Instead of living a fulfilled life, she is reduced to a lifeless body in a casket, with artificial beauty applied: “with the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on, / a turned-up putty nose.” This final transformation mocks the idea that meeting societal beauty standards leads to happiness. By portraying a distorted version of the traditional happy ending, Piercy critiques the way women are conditioned to believe that their worth is tied to their appearance, showing that the pursuit of unattainable perfection often results in loss rather than fulfillment.

Literary Works Similar to “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

1. “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou – This poem contrasts with “Barbie Doll” by celebrating self-acceptance and rejecting societal beauty standards, empowering women to embrace their natural confidence.
2. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou – Like “Barbie Doll”, this poem addresses the challenges women face due to societal oppression, but it offers a message of resilience rather than tragedy.
3. “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath – This poem, like “Barbie Doll”, critiques the expectations placed on women, particularly in marriage and appearance, using sharp irony and dark humor.
4. “Homage to My Hips” by Lucille Clifton – Similar to “Barbie Doll”, this poem addresses body image, but instead of succumbing to beauty pressures, it embraces female strength and self-love.
5. “Cinderella” by Anne Sexton – This poem, like “Barbie Doll”, uses dark irony to expose the unrealistic and damaging expectations placed on women in society.

Representative Quotations of “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Suggested Readings: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

1. Frisk, Philip. “Teaching Notes;” Barbie Doll,” Marge Piercy. In Circle on the Water.” Radical Teacher 39 (1991): 38.
2. Perrin, Robert. “‘Barbie Doll’ and ‘G. I. Joe’: Exploring Issues of Gender.” The English Journal, vol. 88, no. 3, 1999, pp. 83–85. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/821584. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
3. Piercy, Marge. “Barbie-Doll.” Off Our Backs, vol. 1, no. 19, 1971, pp. 7–7. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25771220. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
4. Frisk, Philip. The Radical Teacher, no. 39, 1991, pp. 38–38. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20709690. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
5. Frisk, Philip. “‘Barbie Doll.'” The Radical Teacher, no. 113, 2019, pp. 29–30. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48694696. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

Introduction: “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

“A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy, first appeared in her 1973 poetry collection To Be of Use, is a powerful feminist allegory that critiques the ways in which society restricts and diminishes women’s potential, much like a gardener prunes a bonsai tree to keep it small. Through the extended metaphor of the tree, Piercy highlights how women are conditioned from an early age to accept limitations placed upon them, with lines such as “It is your nature to be small and cozy, / domestic and weak;” reflecting the societal expectations imposed on them. The poem’s popularity as a textbook piece stems from its accessible language, striking imagery, and deep thematic resonance, making it a compelling entry point for discussions on gender roles, societal conditioning, and autonomy. Its brevity and layered meaning allow for rich literary analysis, reinforcing its place in educational settings.

Text: “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

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.

Annotations: “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

Themes: “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

• Gender Oppression and Societal Expectations: One of the central themes of “A Work of Artifice” is the oppression of women and how society systematically stifles their growth and potential. The bonsai tree serves as a metaphor for women who, like the tree, could have grown “eighty feet tall” but are instead pruned and restricted. The gardener, representing societal forces, controls the tree’s growth, just as patriarchal structures limit women’s independence and ambitions. The lines “It is your nature / to be small and cozy, / domestic and weak;” highlight how women are conditioned to accept confinement under the illusion that it is their natural role. The poem critiques these imposed limitations and challenges the notion that women should be confined to traditional roles.
• The Power of Conditioning and Manipulation: “A Work of Artifice” emphasizes how social conditioning begins at an early age, shaping individuals to accept imposed restrictions without question. The gardener croons reassuring words to the bonsai tree, persuading it that being small and contained is a blessing. This represents how societal norms manipulate individuals, especially women, into believing that their limited opportunities are for their own good. The line “With living creatures / one must begin very early / to dwarf their growth” underscores the idea that control must be established from childhood to be effective. This theme critiques the way institutions—families, schools, and cultural norms—enforce restrictive gender roles through subtle but powerful messages.
• The Illusion of Protection and Care: The gardener in the poem appears to nurture and protect the bonsai tree, but in reality, he is controlling and restricting it. This reflects how patriarchal society often disguises oppression as care, convincing women that their confinement is for their own safety and well-being. The line “how lucky, little tree, / to have a pot to grow in.” is deeply ironic, as the tree is not fortunate—it is trapped. Similarly, women are often told that their limited roles as caregivers and homemakers are for their benefit, when in truth, they are being denied full autonomy. The poem challenges the reader to recognize how systemic oppression is often masked as kindness or guidance.
• Lost Potential and the Tragedy of Confinement: Another significant theme in “A Work of Artifice” is the idea of lost potential. The bonsai tree, which could have grown tall and wild in nature, is instead kept at “nine inches high.” This symbolizes how individuals, particularly women, are denied opportunities to fully develop their abilities and ambitions. The image of the “crippled brain” further reinforces this theme, illustrating how intellectual and creative potential is deliberately stunted by societal expectations. The poem mourns the tragedy of what could have been and serves as a call to recognize and resist such restrictive forces.

Literary Theories and “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

Critical Questions about “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

Literary Works Similar to “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

1. “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou – Like “A Work of Artifice,” this poem challenges societal expectations placed on women, celebrating female confidence and defying restrictive norms.
2. “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath – Plath’s poem, similar to “A Work of Artifice,” critiques the societal roles imposed on women, particularly in marriage, exposing how they are shaped to fit expectations rather than their true potential.
3. “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy – Another poem by Piercy that, like “A Work of Artifice,” explores the theme of societal conditioning, highlighting how young girls are pressured to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and gender roles.
4. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou – While more empowering in tone, this poem shares “A Work of Artifice’s” theme of overcoming oppression and resisting attempts to diminish one’s worth.
5. “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by Adrienne Rich – Similar to “A Work of Artifice,” this poem explores the idea of female oppression and the ways in which women are restricted by societal expectations, represented through the imagery of embroidery and tigers.

Representative Quotations of “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

Suggested Readings: “A Work of Artifice” by Marge Piercy

1. Piercy, Marge, and Marge Piercy. A work of artifice. VR Leviathan Publications, Incorporated, 1970.
2. Willson, Norma. “Majority Report: The New Women’s Poetry.” The English Journal, vol. 64, no. 3, 1975, pp. 26–28. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/815047. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
3. Wesley, Kimberly. “The Ill Effects of the Five Paragraph Theme.” The English Journal, vol. 90, no. 1, 2000, pp. 57–60. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/821732. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
4. Sudha, T. Bhaskara. “Marge Piercy’s” A Work of Artifice”: An Extended Metaphor.” Research Journal of English 2.3 (2017): 18-22.
5. Wang, Tianran. “Marge Piercy’s “A Work of Artifice” and “Barbie Doll”: How is the will of others imposed on the female bodily self in a patriarchal society?.” 2022 5th International Conference on Humanities Education and Social Sciences (ICHESS 2022). Atlantis Press, 2022.