To Be Of Use By Marge Piercy Analysis

“To Be Of Use” Most fear challenges. Whether the person dislikes failure, doesn't believe in himself/herself, or simply because challenges are difficult, that fact is undeniable. However, the poem “To Be Of Use” by Marge Piercy teaches the world that they should not back down when faced with difficult tasks. It teaches that everyone can be admirable by plunging into work and giving it their all. After all, as “To Be Of Use” also teaches, the more work one puts into a project of any kind, the better the project is and the more satisfying it is to see completed. It also teaches that humans feel useless without work, and feeling complete rewards the human soul. “To Be Of Use” by Marge Piercy conveys the theme through metaphors, similes, and imagery. Throughout the poem, Marge Piercy uses metaphors to help teach her message. “They seem to become natives of that element, black sleek heads of seals” (5-6) states than anyone can become used to working vigorously and doing their best-- like seals become used to swimming gracefully in the ocean. In saying
“Bouncing like half-submerged balls” (7) is an addition to the sleek seal metaphor. This states that if one tries striving for the best, they will get used to it and become a lifelong hard worker. It also reminds one that humans are designed to work, so it comes naturally sometimes. “Who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience” (9) means that one cannot expect to overcome a challenge overnight, but that challenges take time, and most understand that. However, she implies, a true hard worker must continue on with the challenge no matter how long it takes. Finally, she states that “The work of the world is common as mud” (18). This means that difficult challenges will come often, and that if one is eager to give their best, as she states earlier, the work will become easier. Thus, Marge Piercy uses similes to get her theme