Baby Girl to Barbie

"Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy

Unattainable perfection defined by the Mattel company has been chased by generations of girls and women. But, to be the Barbie doll, Piercy points out, comes at a heavy price. For some, the quest for Barbie-like perfection ends in tragedy. Piercy concludes her tragic poem with an ironic toast "To every woman a happy ending," (Piercy, 836). She says we are fulfilled or "consummated" by looking pretty. The author also explores the influence that other people and society have on us. From the point of birth, the "girlchild" is inundated with the notion that she should play with dolls, kitchen tools, and makeup. Then, in the vulnerability of puberty, her faults are brought to the front of her mind and she is advised to be something she isn't. Yet, the effect these words drives her to the tragedy of early death. Piercy's purpose is straightforward: the price of perfection is not worth the price of your life.