When I read this poem, I didn't think about women in general but about women from China. It was mainly because of the bonsai tree but then also with it talking about the bound feet and the dwarfed growth. But it can definitely pertain to many societies. The poet mentions things that pertain to many societies. Even in America, sure there is the old idea of the Cult of Domesticity of the 1800's, but even now with attractiveness and femininity still having a large role in our lives.
Piercy also seems to have a little bit of sarcasm. She says things like "It is your nature to be small and cozy" and "one must begin very early to dwarf their growth." It is as though she is expressing her own opinion by using the words of what she considers society's perspective of women. She is saying the things in a way that would make it seem illogical and inhumane which gets her point across that things are not happening in the right way.
I really liked the way she was able to make a point about society in this poem without bluntly saying that there was a problem.
"I really liked the way she was able to make a point about society in this poem without bluntly saying that there was a problem."
ReplyDeleteI agree. She actually says it in such a lovely way that you're almost fooled. Almost!