The poem, “Barbie Doll” by Marg Pie

The poem, “Barbie Doll” by Marg Piercy, tells the story of a young girl who goes through life hating herself due to her physical appearance. From the moment she is born, this girl is exposed to the expectations of society and goes through life encountering the harsh realities of not meeting those expectations. The need to live up to the world’s idea of beauty fuels years of severe self scrutiny that tears down any and all of her self confidence- preventing her from loving any part of herself. Through her desperation, the girl elects to live a life restricted by rules she believes will lead to happiness; the failure of this plan results in a truth she is incapable of coping with. The pressure placed on the protagonist of “Barbie Doll” to look and act according to society’s expectations ultimately leads to her suicide.