Identity in "The Work of Artifice" In the poem "The Work of Artifice" written by Marge Piercy, the motif of identity is dominant. The author describes the 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 the poem Piercy focuses on two main forms of identity: the bonsai tree's natural identity and the identity that is described …show more content…
This is stated by the author at the beginning of the poem when she says, "eighty feet tall on the side of a mountain” (lines 3-4). Piercy is describing what the tree could have been if it were not restricted by the gardener. If the tree would have been fortunate enough to grow up in the wild, it could have grown to the height of at least eighty feet tall and would have been on the side of a mountain where its roots could span the entire mountainside instead of only a few square inches inside of the bonsai pot. This description could easily be related back to a child being raised. A child could have easily had the potential to change the world; however, if they are not cared for in the right way and allowed to reach their own limits, they will be restricted and forced to be what their caretakers allow them to be. This could also be a metaphor for a marriage. The wife being the Bonsai tree and the husband being the gardener. In this context the natural identity would be that of the wife that has the potential to be extraordinary by herself; however, she is held down and restricted by her controlling
To This Day is a non-fiction poem by Shane Koyczan. I think that the depiction of the tree contains symbolism. When it shows the tree with the flower on it when it says “grafted onto a different family tree” the flower symbolizes how he survived(Koyczan).
In the beginning, the pear tree symbolizes Janie’s yearning to find within herself the sort of harmony and simplicity that nature embodies. However, that
At the outset of the passage, the author begins to exercise personification in lines 3 and 4, "...ever since the first tiny bloom had opened. It had called her to come and gaze on a mystery." The rhetorical device makes us think as if the blossoming pear tree truly called Janie out to the back-yard to
Personification also contributes to the relationship by making the tree a lively component of the family instead of a passive object in the back yard. A relationship necessitates at least two parties so it is necessary that the tree be a part of the family. At the end of the poem, “the black walnut tree swings into another year” when the family decides to keep it. This shows that the family respects the tree as its own entity and presence. First, this personifies the tree as free and leisurely because swings are usually for play. It also contextualizes the tree as having a
The pear tree is her inspiration and her first true desire. She longs to bud and blossom, like the tree, and cannot wait to discover herself and all the wonders of the world.
Artifice has been proven to be such an essential skill over the years and today according to Chris Hedge in his expert Empire of Illusion. Hedge brings up good points that are true about article in today's world however I disagree that it is the most essential skill. Hedge provides examples that include politics, entertainment, and advertisement. Artifice has been and still is used everyday where people either are aware of it or not. Artifice can be a good thing but only in certain circumstances and never 100% good.
For instance, when Rose Mary left a piano outside, she expressed that “Most pianists never get the chance to play in the great out-of-doors” (33), or, when Jeannette told Rose Mary that she cannot live happily being vagrant, Rose Mary told her, “Why not? Being homeless is an adventure” (161). Therefore, the Joshua tree’s management to stay alive through turbulent climate compares and symbolizes Rose Mary’s optimistic character. When life threw lemons towards the Joshua tree in the form of wind and sand, the Joshua tree made lemonade by creating a mutualistic connection amongst itself and nature by growing sideways. The life of the Joshua tree points out how good always outshines bad which is what made it “one of the most beautiful trees [Rose Mary] had ever seen” (21) due to the way it continued to flourish in spite of the hindrances it has overcome, thus alluding to the hopeful and trusting personality Rose Mary
Many people believe that this mimics Whitman's life. Living in a life of social separation much of the time, he still managed to succeed not only with his writing, but also in life itself. However, in line five Whitman goes on to say that he wonders how the tree could grow such joyous leaves while being alone. He himself says that he could not survive if put in the same situation. Whitman did however lead a joyous and happy life in many peoples opinion, even though he did not enjoy the social life many other had during his lifetime. His own opinion of himself not being lonely may be frayed in order to spare the image he proposes to the public in his writings. The next few lines are interesting because of the way they could possible spell out Whitman's life. In the poem, he breaks of a twig, wraps some moss around it, and takes it to he room and places it in plain view. This may parallel his life by way of his memory. The twig may represent pieces of his memory that were enjoyable to him. He then takes the twig and places it in his room signifying that he wants to be able to constantly see those fond memories. Again Whitman replies by saying he did not do this to remind him of his friends, but in reality he may have just said this to help keep a good report with his readers about his lifestyle.
Ever since the first person to climb Everest, many courageous people have been climbing, mountains, cliffs, and canons. This one special little girl decides to climb a humble tree creating a new journey for both the girl and the tree. In the passage The White Heron by Sarah Orne Jewett the little girl climb a magnificent tree. The author uses languages and selection of details to make the climbing of the tree into a dramatic adventure. The little girl is Sylvia and she is insignificant to the tree.
This is significant because it emphasizes the melancholy and mournfulness that he depicts with imagery in the first stanza. Later on in the second stanza, he author describes the tree the narrator would have planted as a “green sapling rising among the twisted apple boughs”. The author uses visual color imagery of the color green to describe the sapling in order to emphasize just how young the newborn was when he died. Later on in the poem, the narrator speaks of himself and his brothers kneeling in front of the newly plated tree. The fact that they are kneeling represents respect for the deceased. When the narrator mentions that the weather is cold it is a reference back to the first stanza when he says “of an old year coming to an end”. Later on in the third stanza the author writes “all that remains above earth of a first born son” which means that the deceased child has been buried. They also compare the child to the size of “a few stray atoms” to emphasize that he was an infant. All of these symbols and comparisons to are significant because they are tied to the central assertion of remembrance and honoring of the dead with the family and rebirth.
The poem begins with the poet noticing the beauty around her, the fall colors as the sun sets “Their leaves and fruits seemed painted, but was true, / Of green, of red, of yellow, mixed hue;” (5-6). The poet immediately relates the effects of nature’s beauty to her own spiritual beliefs. She wonders that if nature here on Earth is so magnificent, then Heaven must be more wonderful than ever imagined. She then views a stately oak tree and
What did that tree, leaning out from the bank, all white and lacy, make you think of? She asked. Well now, I dunno, said Matthew. Why a bride, of course- a bride all in white with a lovely misty veil.” (Montgomery, 65-66) It is identified here how nature pleases Anne’s eye. The way in which she is able to take a tree branch and bring it to life by imagining that is connected with something beautiful like a bride. It doesn’t only suggest her inquisitive imagination, but also her intellect. With using the enjoyments of nature to foster a desire, and with her perceptive vision she is capable of imagining the branch as something else. Through its beauty and emphasis on colour she can make a connection that the tree branch can be compared to a bride. It is crucial how Anne doesn’t take the natural sights of Avonlea for granted, because she values the power of self-expression in nature. Through her imagination with nature she is able to seek comfort. This is seen on her first night in Avonlea, when she’s afraid no one will come for her, so she turns to a tree as her home, where she can sleep. She states, “I had made up my mind that if you didn’t come for me and to-night I’d go down the track to that big wild cherry-tree at the bend, and climb up into it to stay all night.” (Montgomery, 64) This scene represents how Anne is reliant on nature. Instead of being afraid that no one has yet to pick her up she uses nature to occupy her time. She is inspired by nature to
The look of the tree is compared to the old man by the use of personification. Although the man knew that the tree had to be much stronger because if the man took the trees place he wouldnít be able to stand alone.
Imagery was also used in the poem. I found that the yellow in the first line represented that the future the writer was facing was bright and warm regardless of his choice. The undergrowth was, as undergrowth in any forest, damp and dank smelling, but not necessarily unpleasant, just something that the writer would have to face. The image of traveling through a forest also brings to mind thoughts of birds in flight, chirping and singing. Squirrels dashing through trees, rustling leaves and dropping the occasional acorn or nut also create an image of sight and sound. The sun reflecting through the trees, casting shadows and creating pockets of warm and cool air and the occasional breeze stirring through the trees are also brought to mind by this poem. The end of the poem brings to me
The last line changes the whole perception of the poem. It tells the reader, she was telling the story to someone she cares greatly for. “As free as I would feel when your love would surround me.” (Line 16) It is now realized that the speaker was comparing her strong connection to the woods to another person. This poem is a free verse poem. The author uses