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Marge Piercy Barbie Doll

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"Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy begins describing a normal little girl who played with the usual toys that girls played with. Baby dolls and appliances taught her how to role play for her future position as a wife and mother. These toys symbolized the various skills females are intended to acquire. Besides taking care of children, cooking and ironing were future responsibilities she needed to become skilled at. She was also required to make sure that her general appearance was a priority and that she looked presentable. "… lipsticks the color of cherry candy" (Piercy line 4) was given to her so she looked beautiful and concealed any imperfections she had. The "… magic of puberty" (Piercy line 5) caused a fellow classmate to criticize her. Her classmate exclaimed, "You have a great big nose and fat legs" (Piercy line 6). The child suddenly became mindful of her looks and questioned her beauty or lack thereof.

Regardless of the fact that she was smart and strong, it was overlooked because of her big nose and fat legs. This made her overlook her …show more content…

She ended her life because other people were not happy with her appearance. The sad thing is that upon her death, people commented "Doesn't she look pretty?" (Piercy line 23). She was finally recognized, but unfortunately it wasn't until her death that she was accepted for who she was. However, the only reason why her beauty is commented on at this time is because of the makeup used by the undertaker. She appears to be beautiful in death, but she is disguised with make-up. She is created to seem like somebody she was not in her physical lifetime. There is pure sarcaism at the end when the Piercy states, "To every woman a happy ending" (line 25). This clearly reveals exactly how people contaminate a female's rationale that the only way to have a joyous end, females have to sculpt themselves into a flawless figure just like that of a Barbie

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