"Barbie Doll" by:Marge Piercy

When I read this poem, it seemed to mirror closely the way in which I often view society and the way I sometimes feel. In this poem, the main purpose is to show how society negatively effects the body image of women. It is also to show how society requires women to conform to a certain "Barbie Doll" image. I have personally felt this strong "requirement" that society puts on all woman. They set standards for all girls to meet, but these standards are unrealistic. Like in the poem, often times women will change their personal appearance and image to fit societies standards. The speaker alludes to the young woman cutting off her nose and her legs. While most woman do not go so far as to have plastic surgery (although some do), they do go on diets, dress differently, and act differently in order to fit in to society. I agree with the speaker that this is utterly ridiculous and definitely not a happy ending for women who are forced to change.