Marge Piercy's Barbie Doll

352 Words1 Page

The poem "Barbie Doll," by Marge Piercy is a moving and interesting poem written in 1973 that focuses on a little girl's entrance into womanhood and the struggles that comes with it. At birth, the girlchild, who is the primary focus of this poem, is normal. "She presented dolls that did pee-pee and miniature GE stoves and irons and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy" (p. 1107). She played with dolls and mini stoves and makeup like adults think that girls should play with. The girl continued this until the "magic" of puberty hit her. As healthy and intelligent as the girlchild was, she was told by a classmate that she has "a great big nose and fat legs." All everyone could see was her appearance. She apologized for her big nose and

Open Document