Suppression of women has occurred in all societies. Damage created by societal repression ranges from psychological damage to physical damage.  The suppression of women is not only perpetrated by men, often other women support the cultural traditions which are damaging, as they themselves grew up within the confines of those social norms.  Marge Piercy, a feminist activist, writer and poet makes a statement against social norms damaging to women with her poem, "A Work of Artifice". After reading the poem, one can certainly appreciate the fact that many norms embraced as acceptable for a woman causes physical and psychological damage to their total health. Through "A Work of Artifice", Piercy delivers a poignant message to societies everywhere.

A "Work of Artifice" contains images of female suppression from various cultures. Piercy uses the symbol of a...