Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy (English version)

This girl child was born as usual

and presented dolls that did pee-pee

and miniature GE ovens 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 and 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 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.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• poetry

[Whatsername755]

First and foremost, this person did not write the poem. It was written by Marge Piercy. Secondly, it deals with much deeper issues than whether or not the author likes themselves. This poem adresses societies prescribed gender roles and the way in which women feel pressured to look a certain way for other people. It's not ment to be conceited at all.

[chuffy14]

great reading and video of a poem that still resonates almost 25 years later.

[KairiWillSwantonYou]

Thank you. It's not complaining. It's called sarcasm.

[dollysman1234]

YOu should come down to Gordon and join Dr.Powers english 1101 class. Maybe it will help you to become a better READER!!!

[Dolphinsfan4ever]

You have some issues. If you don't like yourself nobody is going to like you. By the way, there are a lot of guys and girls for that matter that like THICK LEGS. Get over yourself! Blah Blah Blah