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Barbie doll marge piercy11/13/2022 ![]() The first stanza sketches the role of a female child that she is going to undertake in her future life. The dolls, stoves, irons, and lipsticks are the traditional things that girls are always associated with. The archaic term “girl-child” in the first stanza is intentionally used to give the poem a mythical tincture. Consequently, the imitation of this idealized female icon leads them to deep inner conflicts that mostly surface out in the form of depression and other psychological disorders. They think of it as an idealized female character. Since the children quickly learn things and adapt to the prevalent social behaviors, the iconic image of an ostensibly figured Barbie haunts their minds from the very childhood. Initially, it was supposed to be a simple children’s toy but the poet was well aware of its drastic effects on society. The poem appeared a few years after the introduction of Barbie in American society. ![]() The intent behind the selection of “Barbie Doll” as the title of the poem clearly indicates the social changes that were taking place during the nineteen sixties and seventies in American society. The poem actually personifies the original Barbie Doll that appeared in 1956, having a tall and shapely body, with blue eyes and golden hair. The reader’s first response to the title of this poem shows that it may be a fairy tale usually the parents relate to their children. The standards set for them are too high to achieve and resultantly many women may fall into depression and low self esteem. Piercy has successfully diverted the reader’s attention to the fact that forcing the people, especially women, into restrictive roles and ideals may prove disastrous, leading to emotional conflicts that are often difficult if not impossible to resolve. The poem holds a mirror up to our own vanity and reveals the rampant destruction of self-worth that comes from comparing the normal to the unreal. This process of transformation is inherently destructive for the woman that forcibly undergoes changes that are contrary to her natural behaviors. The woman’s attempt to emulate Barbie’s appearance is a deviation from her originality. In reality, a small percentage of the female population would live up to the standards set for them. ![]() The supposed perfection of the female body that this poem idealizes is simply not achievable. The derisive imagery and ironic tone of the poem denounce the patriarchal system and gender discrimination of modern society. ![]() She is to mold herself into a more ostentatious character and forsake her originality. It exerts enormous social pressures on women to socialize and transform themselves according to the rules set for them. It is the symbol of a much propagated ideal feminine character and the role she is expected to play in the man-dominated society. The very image that she uses in this poem is a bold rebuff to the social standards that American society maintains in forcing women to adopt stereotypical feminine behavior. “Barbie Doll” first appeared in Piercy’s collection of 1973 “To Be of Use”. With the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on, ![]() Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:Ībundant sexual drive, and manual dexterity. And wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy. ![]()
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