Barbie Doll

Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy

This poem analyzes a woman's usual struggle to cope within a society that nitpicks and ostracizes everything it views. The poem describes a girl and her many good, healthy qualities. However, all anybody ever notices are her "fat nose and thick legs" (Piercy 835). These words are found more than once throughout the poem. Such a reoccurrence points to the importance of there meaning. It distinguishes how these criticisms of her appearance were a constant in her life. The ending of the poem is very sadistic and demented. In desperation, the girl resorts to cutting off her nose and legs to finally achieve happiness. While she lays in her casket, everyone comments on how pretty she looks. This poem is an explicative look on how shallow our culture has become. People no longer see the important inner qualities but are just content with dealing with the outside. When this poor girl has finally passed, the only thing people are able to comment on are her looks.