'Barbie Doll' by Marge Piercy

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Circles on the Water: Selected poems of Marge Piercy1999This girlchild was born as usual
and presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE stoves and irons
and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy.
Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:
You have a great big nose and fat legs.She was healthy, tested intelligent,
possessed strong arms and back,
abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.
She went to and fro apologizing.
Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.She was advised to play coy,
exhorted to come on hearty,
exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.
Her good nature wore out
like a fan belt.
So she cut off her nose and her legs
and offered them up.In the casket displayed on satin she lay
with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on,
a turned-up putty nose,
dressed in a pink and white nightie.
Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said.
Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Tragic Beauty of Marge Piercy's "Barbie Doll"

As a poet, Marge Piercy has always been a master of the art of storytelling. Her works are often thought-provoking, emotionally charged, and socially relevant. One of her most famous poems, "Barbie Doll," is a powerful commentary on the societal norms of beauty and perfection. In this essay, we will explore the various literary elements that make "Barbie Doll" an enduring classic.

Summary of the Poem

"Barbie Doll" is a five-verse poem that tells the story of a young girl who is constantly criticized for her appearance. The opening verse sets the tone for the poem: "This girlchild was born as usual / and presented dolls that did pee-pee / and miniature GE stoves and irons / and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy." From the very beginning, the reader gets a sense that the girl is being conditioned to conform to traditional gender roles.

As the poem progresses, the girl is ridiculed for her appearance. She is told that she has a big nose and fat legs, and is encouraged to exercise and diet. Despite her efforts, she is still not considered beautiful by society's standards. The final verse of the poem is the most poignant: "Consummation at last. / To every woman a happy ending."

The Use of Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "Barbie Doll" is the use of vivid imagery. Throughout the poem, Piercy uses powerful metaphors to convey the girl's struggle. For example, in the second verse, she compares the girl's nose to a "hook." This metaphor not only highlights the criticism the girl faces, but also suggests that she is being "caught" by society's expectations.

Another example of Piercy's powerful use of imagery is in the third verse, where she describes the girl's legs as "thick," "strong," and "good." These adjectives are not typically associated with female beauty, but they highlight the girl's physical strength and resilience in the face of societal pressure.

The Tone of the Poem

The tone of "Barbie Doll" is one of tragedy and condemnation. Piercy is clearly critical of the societal norms that dictate what is considered beautiful. She uses a sarcastic tone to highlight the absurdity of these expectations. For example, in the fourth verse, she writes, "She was advised to play coy, / exhorted to come on hearty, / exercise, diet, smile and wheedle."

This sarcastic tone is particularly effective when paired with the tragic ending of the poem. The final verse, "To every woman a happy ending," is dripping with irony. By suggesting that the girl has finally achieved happiness through death, Piercy shows just how tragic the societal pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards can be.

The Use of Symbolism

Another important element of "Barbie Doll" is the use of symbolism. The title itself is symbolic of the unattainable beauty standards that society imposes on women. Barbie, a popular doll that has been criticized for promoting an unrealistic body type, represents the idealized image of feminine beauty.

The poem also makes use of other symbols, such as the miniature GE stoves and irons in the first verse. These symbols represent the gender roles that society imposes on women, suggesting that women are expected to be homemakers and caretakers from a young age.

The Universal Message of the Poem

Despite being written in the 1960s, "Barbie Doll" remains relevant today. In fact, the pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards has only intensified in the modern era of social media and Instagram filters. Piercy's message is clear: the societal expectations of beauty are unhealthy and dangerous.

The poem serves as a powerful reminder that true beauty comes from within, and that women should be celebrated for their individuality and strength. By condemning the societal norms that dictate what is considered beautiful, Piercy encourages women to embrace their unique qualities and reject the pressure to conform.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Marge Piercy's "Barbie Doll" is a powerful and enduring work of poetry. Through her use of vivid imagery, a tragic tone, and powerful symbolism, Piercy sheds light on the societal pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards. The poem serves as a universal message of the importance of individuality and self-acceptance, and remains relevant today as a commentary on the unrealistic expectations placed on women.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Barbie Doll: A Feminist Masterpiece by Marge Piercy

Marge Piercy's "Barbie Doll" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges the societal norms and expectations placed upon women. The poem is a critique of the beauty standards that are imposed on women from a young age and the pressure to conform to these standards. Piercy's poem is a feminist masterpiece that has resonated with women across generations and continues to be relevant today.

The poem begins with the description of a young girl who is "presented dolls that did pee-pee / and miniature GE stoves and irons / and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy." These toys are symbolic of the gender roles that are assigned to girls from a young age. The dolls that "did pee-pee" and the miniature stoves and irons are meant to prepare girls for their future roles as homemakers and caretakers. The "wee lipsticks" are a symbol of the pressure to conform to beauty standards and the idea that a woman's worth is tied to her physical appearance.

The second stanza of the poem describes the girl's adolescence and the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards. The girl is described as having "a great big nose and fat legs" and is told that she has a "great big nose and fat legs." The girl is made to feel ashamed of her body and is told that she is not beautiful. The poem highlights the unrealistic beauty standards that are imposed on women and the negative impact that this has on their self-esteem.

The third stanza of the poem describes the girl's attempts to conform to these beauty standards. She is described as "dieting" and "exercising" in an attempt to make herself more attractive. The poem highlights the pressure that women feel to conform to these beauty standards and the lengths that they will go to in order to do so.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the girl's death and the way that she is transformed in death. The girl is described as being "made up" and "dressed up" in order to make her look beautiful. The poem highlights the idea that even in death, women are expected to conform to beauty standards and that their worth is tied to their physical appearance.

The final stanza of the poem is a critique of the societal expectations placed upon women. The poem asks, "To every woman a happy ending?" and highlights the idea that women are expected to conform to societal expectations and that their worth is tied to their ability to do so. The poem challenges this idea and asks whether it is fair to expect women to conform to these expectations.

Overall, "Barbie Doll" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges the societal norms and expectations placed upon women. The poem highlights the unrealistic beauty standards that are imposed on women and the negative impact that this has on their self-esteem. The poem is a feminist masterpiece that has resonated with women across generations and continues to be relevant today.

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