Public and private voices in Marge Piercy's poetry: "Unlearning to not speak"

Marge Piercy's poetry reflects the way her life and her feminist beliefs have changed over the years. Her public poems reflect her political views while her private poems focus on the linguistic problems encountered in male/female dialogue. In her private poems, she specifically addresses the need for men and women to communicate effectively by showing miscommunication occuring between the sexes. Her later works present a mature piercy as an equal partner in her relationships. Her public poetry shows her drive to change society's view of women. Although critics often reject Piercy's militant style, she continues to push for changes in society. A study of Piercy's poetry is truly a study of linguistic styles, political changes, and male/female relationships.