The author of the poem “Barbie Doll,” Marge Piercy, explores the idea that girls are influenced by society’s expectations of how they should behave and look. Piercy uses the comparison to a Barbie doll to highlight the irony of the title, as Barbie is often seen as the ideal woman that girls aspire to be. The speaker in the poem is aware of the events unfolding in a young girl’s life.
The speaker lacks awareness of her emotions, but the author utilizes Barbie as a representation of society’s perception of the ideal female figure. The unrealistic physique of Barbie, characterized by a buxom body, slender waist, slim thighs, and lengthy legs, reflects society’s feminine ideal. Through similes, symbols, and a tone reminiscent of fairy tales, the author transforms Barbie, the glamorous sex symbol, into a despondent young woman whom the girl is compared to.
In the first stanza, the speaker establishes a joyful atmosphere for the poem. Similar to Barbie’s appearances in books and cartoons, where she is often shown with luxury items like sports cars and shopping bags brimming with treats, the poem also showcases enjoyable playthings for young girls, including dolls, miniature stoves, play irons, and lipstick. These objects not only represent desirable gifts for young girls but also embody femininity.
However, the items featured in the first stanza depict the seemingly pleasant and feminine world of the “girl child” (Piercy 1). These items serve as symbols of the gender roles imposed on young girls from an early age. Similar to a Barbie doll, all girls are expected to conform to a certain ideal and find enjoyment in activities traditionally associated with femininity. The tiny stoves and irons represent the responsibilities that an exemplary mother is expected to fulfill. By receiving these items, the young girl in the poem is already preparing for her future role as a homemaker.
The act of presenting gifts to a young girl is not just about giving dolls, stove, iron and lipstick – it also signifies the subtle social norms for a young woman in today’s world. These traditional playthings not only serve as toys for young girls but also play a role in shaping their identity and the social roles they associate with. The addition of red lipstick, which is often seen as a sensual item in a woman’s make-up collection, shows how sexuality can be introduced to a child at an early age. The first stanza portrays the theme of puberty, with the speaker describing it as a magical transformation. However, the preceding line portrays a scene at school where the young girl is insulted by a classmate for her changing body. The word “magic” can also be interpreted in a different way.
The girl’s heart would clearly have been shattered by the classmate’s statement, “the magic of puberty” (Piercy 5), which could be seen as a sarcastic description of a young woman’s coming-of-age. The portrayal of the little girl suggests that she can be likened to Barbie. Nevertheless, the final line of the stanza indicates that she is already grappling with the societal expectations imposed on the perfect woman. The author demonstrates how the girl has talents and possibly possesses individuality; however, she is compelled to conform to society’s desires.
However, the girl in the poem is not at all similar to Barbie in terms of her health, arms, and back. If Barbie were a real person, she would most likely appear anorexic based on her measurements. The poem suggests that the girl is conforming to society’s expectations of how she should be. The line “She went to and fro apologizing” (Piercy 10) implies the sociological concept of face-work, where individuals strive to project the right image and avoid public embarrassment.
The girl’s apology for being intellectually superior reveals her compliance with society’s belief in the inferiority of women. In the second stanza’s closing line, the author reiterates society’s contempt for the girl. On line eleven, the speaker affirms, “Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs” (Piercy 11). This assertion highlights how society disregards a woman’s inner qualities and abilities, basing judgment solely on her outward appearance.
The poem highlights the clear expectations society places on females. The speaker expresses that society encourages the girl to be “coy” (Piercy 12). In essence, the girl should be reserved, meek, and quiet. This mirrors how Barbie dolls are designed by their creators. Barbie herself can also be described as coy for she constantly smiles without uttering a single word. Despite a few previous models having pull strings that allow them to speak, the majority of Barbie dolls remain silent.
In Piercy’s poem, the line emphasizes how society pressures the girl to “exercise, diet, smile and wheedle” (14); in essence, the girl is expected to be physically fit, always smiling and able to charm others. This parallel is drawn to Barbie, who possesses an incredibly thin figure and is both consistently smiling and highly sought-after by collectors in America. Ultimately, this idealized version of femininity can never be achieved by the girl, as illustrated by the image of a makeover in a casket.
The female who committed suicide is placed in a satin coffin, adorned with make-up, a putty nose, and a white nightie. These symbols are employed by the author to represent society’s perception of the ideal woman. It is paradoxical that society, depicted as “everyone” in the poem, deems her beautiful. Despite her demise, society finally considers her attractive because she now possesses an acceptable nose, albeit one made of putty. Furthermore, she is accepted due to her usage of make-up and her attire, which are pink and white, symbolizing purity and femininity.
Line twenty-four of the text clearly illustrates that society perceives the girl as perfect only in death. The final line of the poem, which has a tragic fairy tale-like quality, suggests a happy outcome. Yet, the ironic twist is that the ending is actually sorrowful and shocking. The inclusion of the term “happy ending” (Piercy 25) is paradoxical because it does not deliver any happiness. By characterizing the conclusion as happy, it becomes evident how “every woman” (Piercy 25) might interpret the girl’s demise as a joyful resolution due to the absence of a female challenging societal expectations.
Marge Piercy has cleverly connected a girl contemplating suicide to the iconic toy known as Barbie. Through titling the poem “Barbie Doll,” Piercy emphasizes how society expected the girl in the poem to embody the ideal characteristics of femininity. Piercy constructs a universe within the poem that offers a glimpse into the life of a troubled young girl who deviates from societal norms. This poem suggests that women are often compared to Barbie dolls, illustrating the specific qualities that society values in women.
Piercy has effectively depicted society’s perception of the ideal woman, utilizing symbols, tone, and a comparison with Barbie to highlight society’s expectations of female traits (Cain). These literary devices employed in Piercy’s poem, “Barbie Doll,” shed light on society’s standards for women and the pressures they face (Piercy; Booth and Mays).
