Barbie Doll Analysis by Marge Piercy

Have you ever felt like society expects too much from you? Like you’re constantly being judged on your looks or behavior? If so, you’re not alone. These feelings are at the heart of Marge Piercy’s powerful poem “Barbie Doll.” In this post, we’ll break down this poem and explore its themes, helping you understand why it’s such an important piece of literature.

“Barbie Doll” tells the story of a young girl’s life from birth to death, showing how society’s expectations slowly crush her spirit. It’s a sad tale, but one that many people can relate to. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of what Piercy is saying about society, beauty standards, and the pressure placed on women.

The poem “Barbie Doll” was written by Marge Piercy in 1971 and published in her collection “To Be of Use.” Despite being over 50 years old, its message remains strikingly relevant today. Piercy, known for her feminist writings, uses this poem to critique societal norms and expectations placed on women, particularly regarding beauty and behavior.

The Poem: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy

Before we dive into the analysis, let’s take a moment to read through the poem. “Barbie Doll” consists of four stanzas, each depicting a different stage in the life of the “girlchild” at the center of the poem.

The poem begins with the birth of a girl, described as happening “as usual.” From the very start, she’s given toys that reinforce traditional gender roles: dolls that urinate, miniature stoves and irons, and small lipsticks. These gifts foreshadow the expectations that will be placed on her throughout her life.

As the girl enters puberty, she faces cruel comments about her appearance. Despite being healthy, intelligent, and strong, she’s reduced to her physical features – a “great big nose and fat legs.” This marks the beginning of her struggle with societal expectations.

The third stanza shows the increasing pressure on the girl to conform. She’s advised to change her behavior and appearance, to diet and exercise. The strain of these expectations wears her down, leading to a metaphorical act of self-mutilation.

The final stanza presents a bitter irony. In death, with makeup applied and her nose altered, she finally meets society’s standards of beauty. The poem ends with a sardonic comment on this being a “happy ending.”

Now that we’ve familiarized ourselves with the poem, let’s break it down piece by piece to understand its deeper meanings and implications.

The Life Cycle of the “Girlchild”

Birth and Early Years

The poem starts with the birth of a girl, described as happening “as usual.” This simple phrase tells us a lot. It suggests that what’s about to unfold is common, something that happens to many girls. It’s not an isolated incident, but a widespread experience.

Right from the start, society begins to shape this girl’s world through the gifts she receives. These aren’t just innocent toys; they’re loaded with meaning:

1. Dolls that “did pee-pee”: This shows how girls are often pushed towards motherhood and caregiving roles from a young age. The dolls mimic babies, encouraging nurturing behavior and suggesting that caring for children should be a primary concern for girls.
2. Miniature GE stoves and irons: These toys reinforce traditional gender roles, suggesting that a woman’s place is in the home, cooking and cleaning. By giving these as gifts, society is already telling the girl what her future should look like.
3. Wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy: These introduce the idea that even young girls are expected to care about their appearance. The comparison to candy is particularly telling – it suggests that looking sweet and appealing should be a priority.

These gifts aren’t just toys; they’re society’s way of telling this girl what’s expected of her as she grows up. They’re setting the stage for a lifetime of gendered expectations and pressures.

Puberty and the Harsh Reality

As the girl enters puberty, things take a turn. This period, described as “the magic of puberty,” is anything but magical for her. Instead, it’s marked by a cruel comment from a classmate:

“You have a great big nose and fat legs.”

This moment is crucial in the poem. It’s when the girl first realizes that her body doesn’t match society’s idea of beauty. The fact that it’s a classmate who says this is significant. It shows how these harmful ideas are passed on, even among young people. It’s not just adults or the media imposing these standards; they’ve become so ingrained that even children enforce them on each other.

This comment is the first explicit attack on the girl’s appearance, but it won’t be the last. It marks the beginning of a lifelong struggle with body image and self-esteem.

The Girl’s True Self vs. Society’s Perception

The next part of the poem reveals a stark contrast between who the girl really is and how society sees her:

• She is healthy and tested intelligent: This suggests she’s physically and mentally well-developed.
• She possessed strong arms and back: She’s physically capable and strong.
• She has an abundant sexual drive: This indicates she’s a normal, healthy adolescent with natural desires.
• She has manual dexterity: She’s skilled with her hands, suggesting she’s capable and potentially talented.

These are all positive qualities. In a fair world, she would be valued for these traits. They paint a picture of a well-rounded, capable young woman with a lot to offer.

But instead of celebrating these qualities:

• She goes around apologizing, as if her very existence is something to be sorry for.
• Everyone focuses on her “fat nose” and “thick legs,” ignoring her positive qualities.

This shows how society often reduces women to their appearance, ignoring their other valuable traits. The girl’s intelligence, strength, and capabilities are overlooked in favor of critiquing her physical features. This reduction of a complex human being to mere physical attributes is a key theme of the poem.

The fact that she apologizes is particularly heartbreaking. It suggests that she’s internalized the negative messages about her body. She feels she needs to say sorry for not meeting society’s standards, even though those standards are arbitrary and harmful.

The Pressure to Conform

As the girl grows, she faces increasing pressure to change herself to fit society’s mold. The advice she receives is contradictory and impossible to fully achieve:

1. She’s told to “play coy”: This suggests she should pretend to be shy or innocent to appeal to others, particularly men. It’s a way of saying she should hide her true self to be more attractive.
2. She’s told to “come on hearty”: This contradicts the first piece of advice, showing how women often face conflicting expectations. Should she be shy and demure, or outgoing and vivacious? The impossibility of meeting these contradictory standards is part of the poem’s critique.
3. She’s urged to exercise and diet: Society tells her that her natural body isn’t good enough. She needs to actively work to change her appearance to be acceptable.
4. She’s told to smile and wheedle: This implies she should always be pleasant and persuasive, even if she doesn’t feel like it. It’s another way of saying she should hide her true feelings to please others.

The poem describes her good nature wearing out “like a fan belt.” This powerful metaphor compares her spirit to a car part that’s been overused and is starting to fail. It suggests that constantly trying to meet these expectations is exhausting and ultimately unsustainable. Just as a fan belt will eventually break if it’s overworked, so too will a person’s spirit if they’re constantly told they’re not good enough.

The Tragic “Solution”

Unable to cope with the constant pressure and criticism, the girl takes drastic action:

“So she cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up.”

This line is not meant to be taken literally. Instead, it’s a powerful metaphor for how women often sacrifice parts of themselves – their personalities, their dreams, their authentic selves – to fit into society’s mold. The choice of nose and legs is significant, as these were the parts of her body specifically criticized earlier in the poem.

This act of “cutting off” represents a kind of self-destruction. In trying to become what society wants her to be, the girl destroys who she really is. It’s a devastating commentary on the harm caused by impossible beauty standards and societal expectations.

Death and Society’s Reaction

The final stanza describes the girl’s funeral. Even in death, she’s made to conform to beauty standards:

• She’s displayed on satin, like a product for sale.
• The undertaker has applied cosmetics and given her a “turned-up putty nose.”
• She’s dressed in a “pink and white nightie,” emphasizing femininity even after death.

This description is deeply unsettling. It suggests that even in death, a woman’s primary value is in her appearance. The fact that her nose has been altered (the “turned-up putty nose”) shows that society’s beauty standards are being imposed on her even after she’s gone.

The reaction of the onlookers is chilling: “Doesn’t she look pretty?” they say. This shows how society values a woman’s appearance over her comfort, her personality, or even her life. The fact that she’s finally considered “pretty” now that she’s dead and can be fully molded to meet beauty standards is a scathing critique of those standards.

The poem ends with two bitter lines:

“Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending.”

This is deeply ironic. “Consummation” usually refers to the completion of something, often a marriage. Here, it suggests that the girl has finally achieved what society wanted from her – but only in death. The “happy ending” is anything but happy – it’s a tragic conclusion to a life crushed by unrealistic expectations.

By ending the poem this way, Piercy forces us to confront the ultimate consequence of these harmful beauty standards and societal pressures. The only way this woman could meet society’s standards was through death – a stark reminder of how destructive these expectations can be.

Key Themes in “Barbie Doll”

Beauty Standards and Body Image

The central theme of “Barbie Doll” is the crushing weight of beauty standards on women. The poem shows how these standards are:

1. Imposed from a young age: The lipstick given to the girlchild as a toy introduces the idea that appearance is important even in childhood.
2. Reinforced by peers: The classmate’s cruel comment about the girl’s nose and legs shows how these standards are perpetuated within social groups.
3. Constantly pushed by society: The advice to diet, exercise, and behave in certain ways all reinforce the idea that the girl needs to change to be acceptable.
4. Valued above all else: The reaction at the funeral, where people only comment on her appearance, shows how looks are prioritized over all other qualities.

The title “Barbie Doll” itself refers to a toy known for its unrealistic body proportions. By naming the poem after this doll, Piercy highlights how the standards set for women are often as plastic and artificial as the toy itself. Just as a Barbie doll’s proportions are impossible for a real woman to achieve, so too are society’s beauty standards often unrealistic and harmful.

Gender Roles and Societal Expectations

From the very beginning, the poem shows how girls are pushed into certain roles:

• The dolls encourage nurturing behavior, pushing girls towards motherhood and caregiving.
• The toy stoves and irons suggest domestic duties, implying that housework is a woman’s responsibility.

These expectations limit the girlchild’s potential. Despite being intelligent and strong, she’s reduced to her appearance. This shows how rigid gender roles can prevent people from fully expressing their talents and personalities.

The poem critiques how society often values women more for their appearance and ability to please others than for their inherent qualities or abilities. The girl in the poem is intelligent and strong, but these traits are ignored in favor of criticizing her looks.

The Loss of Self

Throughout the poem, we see the girlchild lose pieces of herself:

• Her confidence is shattered by the classmate’s comment
• Her good nature wears out from constant pressure
• She metaphorically cuts off parts of herself to fit in

This theme highlights the dangerous consequences of trying to live up to impossible standards. In trying to become what others want, the girlchild loses who she truly is. It’s a poignant reminder of how societal pressure can erode a person’s sense of self.

The Cycle of Oppression

The poem suggests that these harmful ideas are passed down from generation to generation:

• The girlchild is born “as usual,” implying this is a common experience
• A classmate (another young person) makes the cruel comment
• Society as a whole reinforces these ideas

This cycle shows how deeply ingrained these problems are, and how they continue to affect new generations of women. It’s not just about individual choices, but about a systemic issue that perpetuates harmful standards and expectations.

Literary Devices in “Barbie Doll”

Piercy uses several literary devices to make her point more powerful:

Imagery

The poem is full of vivid images that help us visualize the story:

• The toys given to the girlchild (dolls, stoves, irons, lipsticks)
• The “fat nose on thick legs”
• The girl in her casket, made up with a “putty nose”

These images make the poem more impactful by allowing us to “see” what’s happening. They create a clear picture of the girl’s life and death, making the story more immediate and affecting.

Irony

Irony is used throughout the poem, especially in the ending. The idea that death is a “happy ending” because the girl finally meets beauty standards is deeply ironic and highlights the absurdity of these standards. The use of irony helps to drive home the poem’s critique of societal expectations.

Metaphor

The poem uses several powerful metaphors:

• The girl’s good nature wearing out “like a fan belt”: This compares her spirit to a car part, suggesting that constant pressure can wear a person down just like mechanical parts can wear out.
• Cutting off her nose and legs: This represents sacrificing her true self to meet societal expectations.
• The title “Barbie Doll” itself is a metaphor for unrealistic beauty standards.

These metaphors help convey complex ideas in a relatable way, making the poem’s message more accessible and impactful.

Repetition

The phrase “This girlchild was born as usual” emphasizes that this is a common experience, not an isolated incident. By using this phrase, Piercy suggests that the girl’s story is not unique, but rather a widespread issue affecting many women.

Tone

The tone of the poem shifts from matter-of-fact in the beginning to increasingly bitter and ironic towards the end. This shift reflects the growing awareness of the harmful effects of society’s expectations. The final lines, with their sardonic reference to a “happy ending,” are particularly bitter, driving home the poem’s critique.

The Significance of “Barbie Doll”

“Barbie Doll” is an important poem for several reasons:

1. It critiques harmful societal norms: By showing the devastating effects of beauty standards and gender roles, the poem encourages readers to question these norms. It asks us to consider why we value certain traits over others and what the consequences of these values are.
2. It gives voice to a common experience: Many women (and men) can relate to the pressure to conform to certain standards. The poem helps validate these feelings and experiences, showing those who struggle with these issues that they’re not alone.
3. It raises awareness: For those who haven’t experienced this kind of pressure, the poem offers insight into what it feels like. It can help build empathy and understanding for those who struggle with body image and societal expectations.
4. It’s a call to action: By highlighting these issues, Piercy implicitly calls on readers to work towards change. The poem’s stark depiction of the consequences of these standards can motivate people to challenge and resist them.
5. It’s timeless: Although written in 1971, the themes of “Barbie Doll” remain relevant today, showing how persistent these issues are. This timelessness speaks to the deep-rooted nature of these societal problems.
6. It uses accessible language: Piercy’s use of simple, straightforward language makes the poem’s message clear and accessible to a wide audience. This accessibility increases its potential impact.
7. It challenges the status quo: By presenting a critical view of societal norms, the poem encourages readers to question and challenge the status quo. It’s a piece of literature that doesn’t just reflect society, but actively critiques it.

Relevance in Today’s World

Despite being written several decades ago, “Barbie Doll” remains deeply relevant today:

Social Media and Body Image

In the age of Instagram filters and Photoshop, the pressure to look “perfect” is perhaps even stronger than when Piercy wrote this poem. The constant exposure to idealized images on social media can make people feel inadequate, much like the girlchild in the poem. The ability to instantly compare oneself to others and the prevalence of edited images have added new dimensions to the body image issues Piercy addresses.

The Beauty Industry

The beauty industry continues to profit from people’s insecurities, selling products that promise to fix “flaws” that are often natural and normal. This echoes the poem’s critique of impossible beauty standards. From anti-aging creams to weight loss products, the message is often that natural bodies need to be “fixed” or improved.

Mental Health

There’s growing awareness of how beauty standards and societal pressure can affect mental health. The girlchild’s struggle in the poem reflects the real-life struggles of many people dealing with body image issues and societal expectations. Today, we recognize these pressures as contributing factors to conditions like:

1. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): Where people become obsessed with perceived flaws in their appearance.
2. Eating Disorders: Including anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
3. Depression and Anxiety: Often stemming from feelings of inadequacy or failure to meet societal standards.

The poem’s depiction of the girlchild’s declining “good nature” and eventual metaphorical self-destruction resonates with modern understandings of how societal pressure can erode mental health over time.

Gender Equality

While progress has been made in gender equality since the poem was written, many of the issues Piercy highlights still exist:

1. Workplace Discrimination: Women are still often judged more harshly on their appearance than men in professional settings.
2. Double Standards: Women often face contradictory expectations (like being told to “play coy” and “come on hearty” in the poem) in various aspects of life.
3. Gender Roles: Traditional expectations about women’s roles in the home and society continue to influence everything from career choices to personal relationships.

The poem’s critique of how society values women primarily for their appearance remains relevant in discussions about gender equality in various fields, from politics to entertainment.

Intersectionality

While “Barbie Doll” focuses on gender, today we recognize that issues of body image and societal expectations intersect with other aspects of identity:

1. Race: Beauty standards often reflect and reinforce racial biases.
2. Class: Access to products and services that help meet beauty standards can be influenced by economic status.
3. Disability: Societal beauty norms often exclude or marginalize people with disabilities.
4. LGBTQ+ Identities: Non-conforming gender expressions face unique pressures and expectations.

The poem’s themes can be extended to consider how various marginalized groups face pressures to conform to societal norms that may not represent them.

Consumer Culture

The poem’s reference to specific brands (GE stoves) and products (dolls, lipsticks) speaks to the role of consumer culture in shaping identities and expectations. Today, this issue has intensified:

1. Influencer Culture: Social media influencers often promote products as solutions to meet beauty standards.
2. Fast Fashion: Constant trend changes put pressure on people to continually update their appearance.
3. Targeted Advertising: Advanced algorithms target individuals with ads that may exploit their insecurities.

The commodification of beauty and identity that Piercy hints at has become even more pronounced in our digital age.

Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance Movements

In contrast to the bleak picture painted in “Barbie Doll,” recent years have seen the rise of movements promoting body positivity and self-acceptance:

1. Body Positivity: This movement encourages people to appreciate their bodies regardless of societal standards.
2. Health at Every Size: This approach focuses on health behaviors rather than weight or appearance.
3. Diversity in Media: There are growing calls for more diverse representation in media and advertising.

These movements can be seen as direct responses to the issues Piercy raises, attempting to counter the harmful narratives the poem critiques.

How to Resist Harmful Beauty Standards

While “Barbie Doll” paints a bleak picture, it’s important to remember that we can resist these harmful standards. Here are some ways:

1. Question beauty standards: When you see an advertisement or hear a comment about how someone “should” look, ask yourself where that idea comes from and whether it’s really valid. Critical thinking is a powerful tool against internalized beauty standards.
2. Celebrate diversity: Recognize that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The more we appreciate diverse forms of beauty, the less power unrealistic standards have. Seek out media that represents a wide range of body types and appearances.
3. Focus on health, not appearance: Instead of exercising to get a “perfect body,” focus on how movement makes you feel. Eat foods that nourish you, not just ones that promise to make you thin. Remember that health is about how your body functions, not how it looks.
4. Compliment people on things other than appearance: By valuing people for their kindness, intelligence, creativity, or other non-physical qualities, we help shift the focus away from looks. This can help both ourselves and others to recognize our worth beyond appearance.
5. Be critical of media: Recognize that many images in magazines and on social media are heavily edited. They don’t represent reality. Teach yourself and others, especially young people, about how images are manipulated and the unrealistic nature of many beauty standards.
6. Speak up: If you hear someone making cruel comments about someone’s appearance, speak up if it’s safe to do so. Breaking the cycle of criticism can make a big difference. Remember, the classmate’s comment in “Barbie Doll” was a turning point for the girlchild.
7. Seek help if needed: If you’re struggling with body image issues or the pressure to conform, don’t be afraid to seek help from a mental health professional. Many people deal with these issues, and professional support can be invaluable.
8. Support inclusive brands and media: Choose to support companies and media outlets that promote diverse representations of beauty and don’t rely on making people feel inadequate to sell products.
9. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself. Recognize that your worth is not determined by your appearance. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a good friend.
10. Educate others: Share what you learn about harmful beauty standards with others. The more people understand these issues, the more we can work together to create change.

Conclusion

“Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy is a powerful critique of society’s treatment of women. Through the story of one “girlchild,” Piercy shows how beauty standards and gender roles can crush a person’s spirit. The poem forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our society and the way we value (or devalue) people based on their appearance.

But while the poem ends tragically, our story doesn’t have to. By recognizing these harmful patterns, we can work to change them. We can create a world where people are valued for who they are, not how they look. A world where “girlchildren” – and all children – can grow up to be their authentic selves, free from the crushing weight of impossible standards.

As we move forward, let’s carry the lessons of “Barbie Doll” with us. Let’s question the standards society sets, celebrate our unique qualities, and treat ourselves and others with kindness and respect. In doing so, we can hope to write a new poem – one with a truly happy ending for everyone.

The enduring relevance of “Barbie Doll” serves as both a warning and a call to action. It reminds us that while progress has been made, the fight against harmful beauty standards and restrictive gender roles is ongoing. By continuing to engage with works like this, to question societal norms, and to promote self-acceptance and diversity, we can work towards a world where no one feels they need to “cut off” parts of themselves to be accepted.

In the end, the true beauty of humanity lies in our diversity, our complexity, and our capacity for growth and change. Let’s strive to create a society that recognizes and celebrates this – a society where every person can feel valued for who they truly are.

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FAQs

1. Q: When was “Barbie Doll” written? A: “Barbie Doll” was written by Marge Piercy in 1971 and published in her book “To Be of Use.”
2. Q: Is the poem really about a Barbie doll? A: No, the title “Barbie Doll” is metaphorical. It refers to the unrealistic standards of beauty that the doll represents, which are imposed on real women. The poem uses the idea of a Barbie doll to critique these standards.
3. Q: Why does the girl in the poem apologize? A: The girl apologizes because she’s internalized the idea that she doesn’t meet society’s standards. She feels she needs to say sorry for not being “perfect” according to societal beauty norms. This reflects how deeply these standards can affect a person’s self-esteem.
4. Q: What does “consummation at last” mean in the poem? A: This line is ironic. “Consummation” usually refers to the completion of something, often a marriage. Here, it bitterly suggests that the girl has finally achieved society’s standards of beauty – but only in death. It’s a scathing critique of how impossible these standards are for living women to achieve.
5. Q: Is this poem only relevant to women? A: While the poem focuses on a girl’s experience, its themes of societal pressure and unrealistic standards can apply to people of all genders. Men also face beauty standards and gender role expectations, though often in different ways.
6. Q: What does it mean when the poem says she “cut off her nose and her legs”? A: This is not meant literally. It’s a metaphor for how the girl sacrifices parts of herself – her individuality, her true nature – to try to fit society’s mold. It represents the extreme measures people might take to conform to beauty standards.
7. Q: Why is the poem’s language so simple? A: Piercy uses simple, straightforward language to make her point clear and accessible. It also creates a stark contrast with the heavy themes of the poem, making the message more impactful.
8. Q: What’s the significance of the toys mentioned at the beginning? A: The toys (dolls, toy stoves, irons, lipsticks) represent how gender roles and beauty standards are imposed on girls from a very young age. They show how society starts shaping girls’ expectations and self-image early in life.
9. Q: Is Marge Piercy a feminist writer? A: Yes, Marge Piercy is known for her feminist themes. Many of her works, including “Barbie Doll,” critique societal treatment of women and explore issues of gender equality.
10. Q: How can I use this poem in my own life? A: You can use this poem as a starting point for reflection on beauty standards and societal expectations. It can inspire discussions about self-worth, body image, and how we can create a more accepting society. The poem can also serve as a reminder to value yourself and others for qualities beyond appearance.