The following poem titled "Barbie Doll" is by Marge Peircy. The image by Mark Rhyden is appropriate in regards to the content of the poem.
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.
The first verse of the poem implies women are taught how to be what is considered a "normal" girl. She is presented with dolls implying women are primary caregivers or very nurturing. The child is given "GE stoves and irons" and "cherry red lipstick" implying women are only good for looking pretty while cooking in the kitchen. Social roles are the main idea given in these stanzas. I also like when the classmates says, " You have a great big nose and fat legs" we do not know whether the classmate is female or male. This could represent how cruel females are to another, or if the speaker was a male how men expect women to fit the standards of a "Barbie Doll".
In the second paragraph of the poem she is physically portrayed more masculine than feminine; however, metaphorically speaking, the "strong arms and strong back" could imply independence. I find it interesting how she goes to and fro apologizing for having a sexual appetite ( because women certainly can not have that, right?), and apologizing for the way she looks.
The poem does end morbidly, but in actuality this seems to be truth. No one is recogized for their beauty, their thoughts, their artistic abilities until they are dead. Then suddenly, they are respected. This is validated by so many scientist, musicians, artist, poets/authors, and philosophers who were shunned by their ways of thinking until they are discovered years later and suddenly are considered canonical or of "artistic value."
In summary, I believe Marge Piercy to be expressing not ALL women are beauty queens, cooks, or care takers. For some women, art is their child, their expression, or their exsistance.
I think the Mark Rhyden peice of art really ties in all together. In this day and age women, especially young girls, are taught to participate in idol worship of looking like celebrities or a barbie. Nicki Manaj would be a good recent example. (Google image search of her "barbie photoshoot will prove my claim)
Is it fun to dress up and beautify? Or get in the kitchen and bake cupcakes? Is it necessary to clean and care for a household? Certainly, but it is not the essence of womanhood.
