I happened to write a research paper over eating disorders once, and I happened to use Barbie dolls as an unexpected cause. Piercy’s poem, “Barbie Doll” completely proved my point a hundred times over. We live in a beauty conscience world, and for women it happens to be extremely tough. Perfection is already highly desired by each individual, and growing up with iconic Barbie the strive for perfection only exceeds. “Barbie Doll” completely mimic’s societies hypocritical behavior: While alive, society knocks down girls for not living up to desired standards, and constantly critiques those who take desperate measures to be perfect, by labeling them as “attention seeking”; however, in death, society mourns, and genuinely wonders why the child didn’t ask for help; for they were just so beautiful in their own way—right!?
Piercy’s “Barbie Doll” is a heavily sarcastic poem, which insults society and portrays the irony of life faced by every teenage girl.
To read Piecy’s “Barbie Doll”, visit http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/barbie-doll
For more information concerning the Barbie Doll image, see http://www.huffingtonpost.com/galia-slayen/the-scary-reality-of-a-re_b_845239.html (The picture included also came from this site.
I completely agree that society is too beauty-conscious. I thought the article on Huffington Post, along with the picture, was funny and portrays how unhuman a lifeless "Barbie Doll" really is.
ReplyDeleteMichael Garcia
That's exactly what I thought too! The real, life-size proportiosn of a barbie doll are just incredibly ridiculous and impossible to acheive.
Delete-Cassidy
Couldnt agree with you any more, this poem is such a eye opener and makes some of society there is much more to than such a face or such.
ReplyDeleteyvette ortiz
I definitely agree, there is more than meets the eye.
Delete-Cassidy
Kinda cool how you did a research paper over this topic already and can relate them two together and you have a better background of knowing the true meaning behind the poem. I agree with everything you wrote about.
ReplyDeleteBrandy Wilson
I know! I was kind of glad I chose this week because of that previous research paper.
Delete-Cassidy
I had somewhat of a delayed realization on the connection with the modern society. When I finally calmed the emotions of the story after reading it, I thought that it was just a messed up isolated incident in story form to invoke a response of interest momentarily. However, after the real meaning set in, I took hold and began to see what the author was trying to get across, which you could not have put in better words with your post, and how it connects with modern societal expectation of vanity.
ReplyDeleteAlex Stofferan
Thank You! I think it's interesting how you said you just thought it was an incident in story form-- I hadn't thought of it that way.
Delete-Cassidy
i toatlly agree with this! at first i coulndt understand it at first but i got it
ReplyDeleteSorry you couldn't understand it. I kind of write how I talk and I think that can confuse people!
Delete-Cassidy
It is so sad how young girls are influenced. It can't really be a surprise though this is nothing new. Beauty is important, but today artificial beauty is focused on too heavily. a woman can be beautiful because of her flaws, not always despite them.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's sad that girls are so influenced; however, society does nothing to prevent this from happening by placing unrealistic standards for young girls.
Delete-Cassidy
It really is a deep and dark satirical view of a problem that has happened ever since societies formed, but was obviously personified by modern-day media. Your view of society being hypocritical could not be more correct, as it really is head-scratching as to how society claims to want one thing from you, but then pulls a 180 when pushed too far.
ReplyDeleteBrian McNulty
totally agree with this Cassidy, everyone is their own and nobody is perfect!
ReplyDeleteI believe that one should not take another comments too seriously and change their view and opinions so quickly! excellent blog very clear and understandable
ReplyDeleteIt is sad how much of a superficial world we live in. A great TV series about this was Nip/Tuck, definitely hits on this subject in so many ways. It is unfortunate that society works this way but I don't see it changing anytime soon. Great picture by the way...I had always heard that a life size Barbie would be ridiculous, just never seen it.
ReplyDeleteGilbert Rangel
Awesome picture! I completely agree with you. It looks to me like women are MADE to be passive on purpose. I think companies and modeling agencies encourage it because they profit from the ideal thus they change society's perception of beauty with their ads and tv commercials.
ReplyDeleteGilberto Flores
Ehh, if that Barbie doll in the picture is perfection, I don't think I want to know what mediocre looks like.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, society is a bit screwy when it comes to what looks good. I feel the opposite about how society feels is beautiful, but that's just me. I do like this poem's sarcastic view on society though. It really is interesting.