Barbie Doll

In English for our In Class Writing we were given a poem to read entitled Barbie Doll by Margie Piercy. This poem really bothered me and once i read it I coundlnt help but be bombarded and angered, disgusted, then empathetic, reminiscent, and then contemplative, and bewildered at how a doll, a plastic doll can have so much power over a society, a nation, the world. We had a big discussion on this in class which took up the whole class period and i just want to see what other people had to say. I feel it is a major issue in society.

This girlchild was born as usual
and presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE stoves 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 intelligent,
possessed strong arms and back,
abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.
She went to and fro apologizing.
Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.

She was advised to play coy,
exhorted to come on hearty,
exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.
Her good nature wore out
like a fan belt.
So she cut off her nose and her 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.
Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending.