Read the poem entitled “Wheels and Wheels” as it appears in Chapter 5 of Wheels of Change . “Wheels and Wheels” The maiden with her wheel of old Sat by the fire to spin, While lightly through her careful hold The flax slid out and in. Today, her distaff, rock and reel Far out of sight are hurled, For now the maiden with her wheel Goes spinning round the world. What is the most likely reason why Sue Macy included this poem by Madeline S. Bridges?
Answer
A
to inform readers that the bicycle was a direct result of the spinning wheel used to spin thread in the past
B
to show readers that the invention of the spinning wheel occurred long before the invention of the bicycle wheel
C
to persuade readers that bicycles were responsible for the many changes taking place for women at the time
D
to compare the newfound freedom of women cyclists with the lack of freedom experienced by women in the past
Explanation
The poem contrasts a woman of the past, sitting by the fire and spinning thread, with a modern woman who is “spinning round the world” on a bicycle. That contrast suggests the bicycle gave women greater freedom and mobility than they had before. The poem is not claiming that bicycles caused all changes for women or that one kind of wheel directly led to the other.
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