Low Self-Esteem In Marge Piercy's Barbie Doll

Females will do anything at all to make themselves look and have the appearance of perfection. From makeup to cosmetic surgery, their natural looks are being changed every day. Piercy makes the readers understand how society’s idea of judgment for women creates low self-esteem for those who do not fit that standard. Barbie plays an important part in building the character of a woman in society. Marge Piercy discusses society’s expectations from women, particularly girls. Society does presume that young girl should act perfect, like a “Barbie Doll” with perfect body, hair, etc. This poem is about a girl who struggles with having a perfect body figure just like everybody else surrounding her, but unfortunately can not fulfill that. The little …show more content…
Women in society are guided by what others around them tell them about whom they are or should be and aim to be who others want them to be. Through symbolism, Marge Piercy opinion towards feminism is found. Symbols found in this poem are the usual “girl” toys and the title “Barbie Doll”. The toys the little girl is given to play with are portrayed as, “Dolls that did pee-pee and miniature GE stoves and irons and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy” (lines 2-4). These toys are symbolic toys girls have when they are young to “prepare” them for the work they have to do, in the future, when they get older. The women were anticipated to stay at home and do all the housekeeping, so because of that reasons the girls were raised to play with small housekeeping tools. In this poem, the expectations for girls are determined by society. Girls are given certain toys to play with, and if they aren’t given the household toys, it is something wrong. Finally, the title “Barbie Doll” refers to the real Barbie dolls which are a symbol of the ideal woman’s body set by society. She seems to be using this symbol to show the image that the women in society work