Patriarchy refers to the social system by which cis-gendered (and typically White) men hold most of the power in institutions, excluding women and gender (And racial) minorities. In “A Work of Artifice,” Piercy specifically explores the manner in which patriarchy operates. Instead of outright suppression, patriarchy also works through trickery, manipulation, and brainwashing, which is why it’s an age-old social system that continues to persist in contemporary times. The use of the word “artifice” in the poem’s title itself draws attention to the insidious nature of patriarchy. The theme is further reinforced by the poem’s ironic tone in which the narrator’s seemingly straightforward tone belies strong emotions. Moreover, the poem uses vocabulary from gardening to show that the idea of women as weak is cultivated from an early age.

The gardener “carefully” prunes and “whittles back” (Line 10) the bonsai tree, singing to it as he waters it, reassuring the tree it is safe. While care and safety have positive associations, in this context, they embody sinister hues. It becomes clear that the gardener is imprisoning the tree by stunting its potential with the pretext of keeping it safe.