Comparing Barbie Doll And Homage To My Hips

In “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy and “homage to my hips” by Lucile, there are many differences in response toward society’s body expectations for women. In both poems their tone, meaning, and approach are different.

In “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, the girl in the poem thinks largely on what others think about her body. For instance, after the girl was compared to a fan belt, the poem states, “So she cut off her nose and legs / and offered them up” (17-18). She rather cut her body parts and risk the chance of death in order to look pretty in the eyes of her peers. She has little to no body image, just how others respond to her physical appearance. In another case, when it is revealed to the reader that the girl is dead, the poem declares, “Doesn’t she look pretty? everyone said / Consummation at Last / To every woman a happy ending” (23-25). Women care too much about their look that they would rather die of a complement on their beauty. When females have others thinking that they are pretty, females feel complete. Marge

For example, when she states that her hips do what they want to do, she says, “these hips are mighty hips / these hips are magic” (11-12). The speaker is not ashamed of her hip’s appearance, but rather showing it off. The girl is filled with confidence about her look. In addition, after describing her hips as mighty, she declares, “i have known them / to put a spell on a man and / spin him like a top!” (13-15). Her big hips are capable of attracting men. Many men are interested in her big hips and are craving for her. Lucille Clifton thinks that today’s society cares too much about the difference in each individual from another and not being humble for how someone look. Lucille Clifton also thinks that each women are pretty in their own way; stereotypical people think women are weak in body