Question

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?
○ to compare the newfound freedom of women cyclists with the lack of freedom experienced by women in the past
○ to persuade readers that bicycles were responsible for the many changes taking place for women at the time
○ to inform readers that the bicycle was a direct result of the spinning wheel used to spin thread in the past
○ to show readers that the invention of the spinning wheel occurred long before the invention of the bicycle wheel

Explanation:

1. Analyze the poem: The first part describes a maiden spinning with an old wheel (traditional, confined activity), the second part describes a maiden with a wheel (bicycle) "spinning round the world" (newfound freedom).
2. Analyze Option A: The poem contrasts the old, confined spinning (lack of freedom) with the new bicycle - related freedom. This matches the comparison of women's freedom then and now.
3. Analyze Option B: The poem doesn't aim to persuade that bicycles caused all changes, just shows a freedom contrast.
4. Analyze Option C: There's no indication the bicycle is a direct result of the spinning wheel.
5. Analyze Option D: The poem's focus is on women's freedom, not the timeline of wheel inventions.

Answer:

A. to compare the newfound freedom of women cyclists with the lack of freedom experienced by women in the past