Barbie Doll Analysis

Literature functions as a reflection of society and a creator of cultural ideas. Throughout the existence of the human race, literature has played a vital role in the distribution of ideas and as a way of communication. Literature can be used in many ways, whether it be to explain, persuade, or inform.
As we take a look at the poems presented, we’re able to see a connection between all of them. I believe the poems speak of change, a majority of them seem to start with an innocent beginning that morphs into something else over time. For example, in Barbie Doll by Marge Peircy, the girl is described as “healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.” These traits, although healthy, are

considered “masculine” by society and because of that reason, she began to feel unhappy. As a result “she cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up.” She began to change herself to fit in, it wasn’t until her death as she lay dressed up in lace and makeup, that people began calling her beautiful. This idea is also presented in Sonnet 2 by Shakespeare. Shakespeare develops theme by stating: “Thy youth's proud livery, so gazed on now, / Will be a tatter'd weed, of small worth held.” Sonnet 2 describes a man who was once something significant in his youthfulness, but over time, as his physicality diminished, he lost everything that defined him. After he grew old, he realized the only way he could truly live again was through his son. Both of these poems put emphasize on youth and what society defines as beauty and significance.
As we take a look at the next two poems, we see a different struggle with society.

The focus is centered around cultural and racial problems as opposed to physical problems. In the poem, Theme for English B by Langston Hughes, the story follows a young African American male who has succeeded in his life despite the racial barrier. He describes himself as a person with dreams and ambitious just like everyone else, but he has held back by the color of his skin, and therefor is treated differently than his classmates. This is shown through the poem when the author says “You are white--- / yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.” This quote shows Hughes’ belief that everyone is created equal, regardless of their skin color. The poem challenges that narrow minded view that had been implicated on African Americans. In the poem Indian Boarding School: The Runaways by Louise Erdrich, a racial and cultural struggle is also seen as Native Americans struggle to maintain their grip on the heritage that is being yanked away from them through Americanization. This is shown through the quote: “We watch through cracks in boards as the land starts rolling, rolling till it hurts to be here, cold in regulation clothes.” The person describes the torture they feel to be locked up in a room, dressed in uniforms and forced to conform to rules that they don’t agree with. They watch the world continue and they feel that they have ceased to be a part of it. Overall, both poems challenge society’s

views on what they believe is “superior.”
I feel like the poems This is a Photograph of Me by Margaret Atwood and The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos are poems that exemplify the use of ambiguity. In the poemThis is a Photograph of Me, the author says: “(The photograph was taken the day after I drowned. I am in the lake, in the center of the picture, just under the surface.” I believe this means the author metaphorically feels like she is drowning. When she is described as being in the lake, “just under the surface,” she means that she feels like her presence is being overlooked. This poem shows how she is seen as unimportant and insignificant in society and the only way you can actually see her is if “you look long enough.” In the poem The Red Wheelbarrow, the author states: “so much depends / upon / a red wheel / barrow / glazed with rain / water / beside the white / chickens.” The red wheelbarrow signifies something of greater importance. When it is described as “glazed with rain water,” it shows that on the outside, the wheelbarrow may look good, but it is empty on the inside. The chickens represent a group of people who are relying on the wheelbarrow.
As we look at the six poems, we can see that all of them had a significant impact on society.

All of the poems focus on change, whether it be physical or cultural. Moreover, the authors reflect what was going on in their world using literature. By reading the poems, we are able to understand what the author was feeling and we are also able to understand the pressure that was pushed upon them by society. The writing of these poems pushed the boundaries of what society believed was acceptable and what the people believed. In turn, this caused the formation of new idea and ways of thinking through the use of literature. Overall, literature is used to portray new ideas and challenge old

ones.