Obedience
"Barbie Doll" symbolically highlights the destructive nature of patriarchy, a system where male dominance is the prevailing rule, requiring women to submit to men. Historically, this submission was enforced through laws; for example, women in the United States were not granted the right to vote until the 20th century. Beyond legal means, patriarchy also influences women's minds and self-images. A "good" woman is expected to meet patriarchal standards: she should be feminine, domestic, attractive, and obedient. Those who do not fit these standards, like the girlchild in Piercy's poem, face punishment. Society will isolate them, label them as outcasts, and their strengths—such as the girlchild's physical abilities and intelligence—will be seen as faults because they are neither recognized nor appreciated. Piercy's poem narrates the story of a talented girl overwhelmed by an externally imposed self-image that she cannot realistically achieve.
In a desperate act of "self" sacrifice, she cuts off her nose and legs—parts of her that do not match the ideal of a "beautiful" woman. This self-mutilation reflects the suffering faced by women in extremely patriarchal cultures. For instance, in some areas of lower equatorial Africa, young girls undergo "clitorectomies," surgical procedures that remove the clitoris. This deprives women of sexual pleasure and serves as a constant reminder that their sole value lies in bearing children for their husbands. In Western societies, women battle eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia as they strive for the idealized Barbie figure. In "Barbie Doll," the girlchild ultimately succumbs to patriarchal demands for submission by destroying herself. In death, she reinforces patriarchal power by becoming the person she was unable to be in life.
Sex Roles
"Barbie Doll" explores the damaging impact of rigid gender roles in modern society, especially on women, who are pressured to shape their bodies and behaviors to align with these roles. This societal conditioning is apparent when the "girlchild" receives toys such as urinating dolls, miniature GE stoves and irons, and tiny lipsticks resembling cherry candy. From an early age, she learns that a woman should be beautiful, intellectually passive, and domestic. Feeling inadequate for not exemplifying these characteristics, the girlchild is urged by society to compensate by being "coy," "hearty," exercising, dieting, smiling, and cajoling. Overwhelmed by the demand to meet these expectations, she grows to detest herself and ultimately sacrifices herself by "cut[ting] off her nose and her legs / and offer[ing] them up." The poem's concluding irony is found in the undertaker crafting a woman the girlchild could never become, highlighting that societal expectations for gender roles endure even after death. This suggests that, despite their efforts, women are fated to lose against such oppressive stereotypes. The moral of Piercy's parable is captured in the reader's reaction. The intended lesson lies in the audience's outrage at how women have been, and continue to be, coerced into conforming to an ideal of femininity that often contradicts their true selves. Piercy hopes this anger will motivate readers to challenge these restrictive norms.
The Personal and Impersonal Nature of Poetry
In the realm of poetry, Marge Piercy captures the intriguing interplay between the personal and impersonal experiences of crafting verse. This intricate mix, as Piercy describes, morphs the act of writing into an almost "addictive" pursuit. Her insights, shared in the The New York Times essay "Writers on Writing" from December 20, 1999, illuminate her poetic philosophy. She expresses how her mental state often compels her to transform whatever subject she is engaged with into "molten ore," a vivid metaphor that speaks to the intensity and passion she brings to her work. Piercy further emphasizes that any topic can serve as the foundation...
(This entire section contains 144 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
for a poem, provided the poet dedicates enough focus and contemplation to it. This approach highlights the poet's role in transmuting ordinary experiences into extraordinary expressions, a process that unites the deeply personal with the universal, thereby enriching the texture of poetic creation.
Directness and Accessibility in Piercy's Work
Marge Piercy stands out both as an individual and an artist for her directness and accessibility, traits that are immediately apparent in her literary work. Her writings delve into an array of themes such as civil rights, ecology, feminism, relationships, and religion, with a particular emphasis on her Jewish heritage. This thematic diversity makes her work resonate with a wide audience, as it touches on universal concerns and personal identity. While some critics detect echoes of Walt Whitman and Denise Levertov in her poetry, Piercy has crafted a distinctive voice that marks her as singular in the literary landscape. Her ability to address complex issues in a straightforward yet insightful manner invites readers from all walks of life to engage deeply with her narratives.
Feminist Consciousness in 'Barbie Doll'
Marge Piercy's "Barbie Doll" is a poignant exploration of societal expectations imposed on women. Featured in her anthology Circles on the Water: Selected Poems of Marge Piercy (1982), the poem embodies Piercy's desire for her work to resonate deeply with readers, offering insight and connection to lived experiences. This ambition for her poetry to "speak to and for" its audience is echoed in the thematic essence of "Barbie Doll," which originally appeared in Piercy's 1970 collection To Be of Use.
Written against the backdrop of a burgeoning feminist movement, "Barbie Doll" is a terse yet powerful critique of the rigid gender norms that dictate female identity. Through stark imagery and a concise narrative, the poem highlights the tragic consequences of society's insistence on superficial standards of beauty. These standards overshadow the complexity and authenticity of the individual's true self, leading to a profound loss.
In "Barbie Doll," Piercy deftly illustrates the conflict between societal pressures and personal identity, reflecting broader themes prevalent in feminist discourse during the 1970s. The poem underscores the damaging effects of conforming to unrealistic ideals, resonating with those who have felt compelled to suppress their genuine selves to meet external expectations. As such, "Barbie Doll" remains an incisive commentary on the sacrifices demanded by a society obsessed with appearances, speaking to timeless issues of gender and identity.
Societal Expectations and Consequences in 'Barbie Doll'
In each stanza of "Barbie Doll," readers can discern a dual movement: the initial lines depict societal circumstances, while the concluding lines reveal their consequences. The poem begins with the introduction of "this girlchild," entering a world where certain expectations are set for female children. The ordinary nature of her childhood abruptly shifts when a classmate makes a comment about her "unattractive nose and legs," signaling the onset of pubescent self-awareness and social pressure.
The second stanza highlights the girl's positive qualities, yet despite her talents, the focus remains on her perceived physical flaws. She finds herself trapped in a cycle of apology, as suggested by the lines "She went to and fro apologizing./ Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs." Here, the ambiguity allows for dual interpretations: is she apologizing for her capabilities or for her physical appearance? The lack of transitional elements between these statements blurs the line between her natural self and society's imposed perceptions of her inadequacies.
As the girl matures in the third stanza, she receives advice blending pragmatic behaviors, such as exercise and diet, with the less tangible expectations society imposed on women, especially noticeable during the 1970s. Overwhelmed, she struggles to maintain the facade expected of her. The pressure of conforming to these ideals culminates in her tragic decision to opt for suicide, metaphorically represented by the removal of her nose and legs. This drastic action symbolizes her sacrifice of personal identity in a desperate attempt to meet societal standards.
In the fourth stanza, the aftermath of her death brings satisfaction to "everyone," a grim commentary on society's shallow validation. Tragically, this acceptance comes too late for the girl to benefit from it. The onlookers mourn not the loss of a vibrant individual, but rather celebrate an image that aligns with their expectations: "Consummation at last." The girl pays the ultimate price to attain a cosmetic, doll-like attractiveness, finally earning a name—"Barbie Doll." The poet underscores the tragedy by suggesting this "happy ending" is readily available to "every woman" who embarks on a similar path, a dark reflection on societal values.
Objectification and Women's Issues in Piercy's Work
In her poem "Barbie Doll," Marge Piercy employs a stark, minimalist third-person narration to explore the dire consequences that may befall women who succumb to societal objectification. The poem serves as an incisive critique of how women's lives are often shaped by external expectations and pressures. Through this lens, Piercy opens a portal to broader themes prevalent in her work and reflects on women's issues as explored in twentieth-century poetry.
"Barbie Doll" stands out as an accessible entry point into Piercy's oeuvre, highlighting her recurring focus on gender dynamics. The poem's imagery is both potent and unsettling, capturing the tension between society's ideals and individual identity. It challenges the notion that women must conform to prescribed roles, urging readers to consider the lasting impact of such expectations on women's lives and identities.
This theme of objectification, although rooted in the past, remains relevant today. A simple visit to a toy store reveals how Barbie dolls, now dressed for the third millennium, continue to occupy shelf space. Their enduring presence prompts the question: is the status quo for women truly any different now, or do these plastic icons still symbolize entrenched perceptions of femininity? Piercy’s work compels us to reflect on whether real progress has been made or if, indeed, for women, it remains "business as usual."
