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

Answer 1

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

The poem contrasts the old domestic spinning wheel with the modern bicycle wheel, highlighting how cycling gave women mobility and liberation compared with earlier, more confined roles.