Within our society there is an extraordinary want and need for women to be perfect on the outside. There is too much importance and too much anxiety placed on women to surrender to the image of being or becoming a Barbie doll. In the poem “Barbie Doll,” written by Marge Piercy, I see evidence to this idea in the poet’s use of irony, her attitude on the subjects of both inner and outer beauty, and her attitude on the significance of words interfering with a woman’s self confidence.
To begin, the poet’s use of irony is felt most toward the end of the poem. The very thought that people would say a person is pretty only after they are dead and it is too late for them to hear is sad and disturbing. “Doesn’t she look pretty? everyone said. ” (23) In fact, the reason a person looks pretty in their casket is because they are “made-up” to look their best. This is seen more specifically with these lines, “the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on, a turned-up putty nose, and dressed in a pink and white nightie. 20-22)
We are lead to believe that the entire group of people at the funeral thinks she is pretty now that she is lying so serenely in her casket, like an image of a doll. I’d also like to point out the way the poet refers to a “happy ending” as one that is unquestionably a depressing one. “Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending” is very sarcastic and pessimistic. (24-25) In essence the poet is saying the end has come at last and it’s a happy one since a girl got what she always wanted, but at what price did she become a “Barbie” doll?
Next, the poet’s attitude on the subject of inner and outer beauty is one that is somewhat mocking. For example, to say that one’s inner beauty cannot compare to one’s outer beauty and therefore is something to apologize for is extreme. “She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity. She went to and fro apologizing. ” (7-10) This is only further saying that women are looked at physically more than anything else and what is essential for girls are good looks.
Women are brought up to do many things to make themselves beautiful on the outside, whether it is wearing makeup, exercising, or eating healthy. And the girl in this poem is no exception, “She was advised to exercise, diet, smile and wheedle. ” (14) Women in today’s society are taught to do whatever it takes to remain or become physically attractive on the outside. We see women today altering their appearance with cosmetic surgery. It’s not too far-fetched to say that this girl may have had a nose job or possibly liposuction to try to make her beautiful physically. “So she cut off her nose and her legs. 17)
Last, her attitude on the significance of words having a negative effect on the self-esteem of women shows up in the way she talks about what a classmate says about her features is puberty. “You have a great big nose and fat legs. ” (6) Women with low self-esteem always remember these words and begin to believe them as true. If a woman is brought up thinking looks don’t matter and she hears these same words they usually run right of her shoulders. On the other hand, a woman who is brought up to think looks are the only thing that matter will take what a person says about them to heart.
She begins to believe she isn’t pretty and will always think she is not pretty. When someone says something negative about a woman’s characteristics, the words tend to stick out in her head. This is seen in the way the poet repeats almost the exact words spoken by a classmate earlier to make the point that she remembers what she thinks people are thinking about her. “Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs. ” (11) Women will also keep trying to let what others say about them not matter so much, but some women can only take so much criticism and eventually they give up.
I see this happening to the girl in this poem. “Her good nature wore out like a fan belt. ” (15-16) Women rely exceedingly too much on what others think of them. In conclusion, it is imperative that today’s society realizes that it puts too much pressure on women to succumb to the physical challenges of looking like a Barbie doll. I have shown proof to this statement with the way the poet uses irony, and in her attitude throughout the poem on beauty, and the power of words.