What is the theme of the poem Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy?
Barbie Doll is a narrative poem written by American writer, novelist, and social activist Marge Piercy. It was published in 1971, during the time of second-wave feminism. It is often noted for its message of how a patriarchal society puts expectations and pressures on women, partly through gender role stereotyping.
When was the poem Barbie Doll published?
1971
Barbie Doll/Originally published
Author Marge Piercy reflects on the changed state of women’s lives since her poem was published in 1971.
Why is the word Girlchild used in Barbie Doll?
The term ‘girlchild’ is an appropriate term because it illustrates the a specific gender the author is speaking about. Piercy identifies the typical stereotype of what a little girl does before she begins puberty. Specifically, the stereotype is that little girls are prone to play with barbie dolls and makeup.
Who is the speaker in Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy?
In the poem, “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, the speaker narrates and observes the anonymous girl’s life as she attempts to cope with fitting into the expected role of women. Definition: In poetry, the speaker is the voice behind the poem—the person we imagine to be saying the thing out loud.
What happens at the end of Barbie Doll poem?
Eventually, the woman in ‘Barbie Doll’ has had enough of the way the world treats her and “cut off her nose, and her legs / and offered them up.” The poem concludes with a haunting image of “everyone” gathered around her coffin, admiring how beautiful she looked in the “undertaker’s cosmetics.”
What imagery do you see in the poem Barbie Doll?
Imagery: Imagery is very dominant in the poem. Piercy uses strong words to give her readers a vivid picture. For example, lines 2-3, ‘and presented dolls that did pee-pee/ and miniature GE stoves and irons/ and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy.
What happens at the end of the poem Barbie Doll?
In the second half of Barbie Doll, worn down by the words of others, the woman cuts off her nose and legs as an offering to the world that has tormented her. She dies and is buried with a reconstructed face and “turn-up nose.” In death, the speaker ironically states, she has found the happy ending all women desire.
What narrative perspective is used in Barbie Doll?
We hear the girlchild’s story through the speaker’s third-person omniscient point of view, again similar to the kind of voice you’d hear in a fairytale.
Who is a speaker of the poem?
Just like fiction has a narrator, poetry has a speaker–someone who is the voice of the poem. Often times, the speaker is the poet. Other times, the speaker can take on the voice of a persona–the voice of someone else including animals and inanimate objects.
What is the situation in the poem Barbie Doll?
Marge portrays the situation as the childhood of a young girl. The girl goes through many of the hardships of being a teenage girl. She is experiencing troubles with being accepted by the people around her. The girl tries everything to be accepted by society but it is not enough.
How do the tones of Barbie Doll and whats that smell in your kitchen differ?
“Barbie Doll” has a carefree tone and “What’s That Smell in Your Kitchen” has a indifferent tone. “Barbie Doll” has a sarcastic tone and “What’s That Smell in Your Kitchen” has a rebellious tone.
What does Barbie Doll symbolize?
Barbie is the symbol of beauty and elegance. Some people see a Barbie doll in their dream, when things are not running fine in their lives. This means that they are frustrated of the current situations in life and wish to go back to their childhood where everything was good. Barbie Dolls signify innocence and beauty.
What is the theme of Barbie doll by Marge Piercy?
What is the theme of Barbie doll by Marge Piercy? The theme of Marge Piercy’s “Barbie Doll” is the compulsive need to be attractive in society’s judgemental eyes and the desire to live up to other’s standards instead of one’s personal ideals. 2. “Barbie Doll” is a mock of social appearance and acceptance.
How long is the poem Barbie by Marge Piercy?
‘Barbie Doll ‘ by Marge Piercy is a four stanza, free verse poem, that is separated into stanzas of varying length. They are relatively close in line number and line length, allowing some cohesion to the piece without needing a cohesive rhyme scheme.
Can a poem be subject matter for a Barbie doll?
She once said that anything can be subject matter for a poem as long as the poet is willing to focus on it intensely enough. If Piercy is direct and accessible as human being and artist, her work is similarly so to readers.
When did the first Barbie doll poem come out?
Somewhat ironically, “Barbie Doll” originally appeared in a volume of poems titled To Be of Use. Written in 1970, many of the poems reflect ideas having to do with feminist consciousness: sexual, political, and professional.
