PRB #5: "Barbie Doll"

When reading the poem “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, the reader is transported to the world of the women and femininity, as well as the terrors of judgment. During the time in which the poem was written, 1971, women had a certain image to uphold, especially young women. Piercy illustrates the fragility of one teenage girl’s self-esteem through the use of extended metaphor, symbolism and imagery and a free-verse rhyme scale.

Piercy uses the extended metaphor of “The Barbie Doll” to shed light on to the thoughts of the “perfect” woman. At the time at which this poem was published, 1971, the female population had generally one way to be perfect and that was to be skinny and flawless. As mentioned in the beginning the young woman was “usual” as all children are; however she developed at the point of puberty. The girl is clearly not innocent either with an “abundant sexual drive.” As she developed she was met with the uncertainty of others opinions. Others said she had “a great big nose and fat legs.” The girl tried to correct her “problems” with “exercise” and “diet[ing];” however this still was not enough to please her adversaries. She corrected the “problem” and committed suicide. In her casket she became the Barbie she always wanted to be, dolled up, plastic and pretty. The metaphor is the Barbie, plastic and fake but all women strive to reach in their lives.

Through symbolism and imagery Piercy rallies the reader’s senses and paints the picture of this poor distraught girl. Barbie symbolizes the “perfect” woman. In the case of this poem, Barbie is the protagonist. As she is ridiculed for her looks she and eventually sides she becomes the Barbie, beautiful. Lying in her casket she is wearing a “nightie.” The nightie represents the sexual deviant hiding within the girl. She clearly is perfect in her own way; she obviously gets guys because of her sexual stamina. The poem leads one to believe that one guy, maybe that she crushed on, caused her demise. Due to the repetition of the comment “big nose and fat legs” said by “a classmate,” meaning only one. She had so many guys; however, the one she wanted mocked her.

The use of the free-verse writing shows the freedom of the 1970s. People were changing; pop culture became more liberal and allowed judgment to be public for all to see. The girl is but one example of what surly could me thousands of other young girls stricken by wrongful judgment.