Analysis of the Poem Barbie Doll Written by Marge Piercy...

Short Composition Analysis of the poem ‘Barbie Doll written by Marge Piercy (1973). This girlchild was born as usual And presented dolls that did pee-pee And miniature GE stoves and irons And wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy. Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said: You have a great big nose and fat legs. She was healthy, tested intelligent, Possessed strong arms and back, Abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity. She went to and fro apologizing. Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs. She was advised to play coy, Exhorted to come on hearty, Exercise, diet, smile and wheedle. Her good nature wore out Like a fan belt. So she cut off her nose and her legs And offered them up. In the casket displayed on satin she lay†¦show more content†¦The others have a great power over her as she is under commandment was advised; exhorted and she is dictated to: play coy; come on hearty; exercise; diet; smile; wheedle. The comas even insist on the accumulation of the things-to-do. She has to change her character, to be hypocrite. She is maltreated both verbally and physically. In fact, verses 15 and 16 echoes with verse 9. Her strong back may be hit by a belt and her good nature insists on her weakness, on her lack of self-confidence. She is slowly losing herself in the poisoned flow of commands submerging her, like a boat ready to be engulfed by the sea. Nonetheless, the verse 17 introduces a new turning-point because of its opening adverb so. In fact, the active form of the verb she cut off shows the brutality of her wakening. We slide for the very first time from a passive behaviour (previous verses) to an active one. She is revolting against her bullies, sh e is taking her life in hand or at least her deathÂ…. Is it positive? Not at all as she decided to give up life instead of fighting against these prejudices. This decisive step is one of great strength as she even offered them up her nose and legs. She is the one who did what everybody wanted to inflict to her but never dared. This morbid and ironic image highlights her distress and her anger against them. However strong this image is, it is again a passive behaviour as she decided to pass away and to offer the objects of reject