Marge piercy poem--------- What do you think?

Question

obviously its about feminisim--


Barbie Doll

by Marge Piercy



This girlchild was born as usual
and presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE ovens and irons
and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy.
Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said
You have a great big nose and fat legs.


She was healthy, tested intellegent,
posessed strong arms and back,
abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.
She went to and fro apologizing.
Everyone saw a fat nose and thick legs.


She was advised to play coy,
exhorted to come on hearty,
exersize, diet, smile, and wheedle.
Her good nature wore out like a fan belt.
So she cut off her nose and legs
and offered them up.


In the casket displayed on satin she lay
with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on,
a turned-up putty nose,
dressed in a pink and white nightie.
Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said.
Consumation at last.
To every woman a happy ending

Additional Details

But do you tihnk there is sugnificance as to why she repeats great big nose and fat legs? And her style of writing?

I'd like to see peoples interpretations of this poem, I really like it

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

It's a matter of peer pressure. we feel what others concieve us to be. She received acceptance in death with fake parts replacing those which had been offensive to her peers.
The repetition was for effect, and worked well.

Answer 2

i think its about ideals- how society puts so much emphasis on girls needing to look like barbie dolls and movie stars. i think "big nose and fat legs" is pretty much the opposite of that ideal, and is repeated in order to call attention to the fact that thats all anyone could see in her- instead of how smart or nice she was. its a very sad poem! and sadly, very true.