Barbie Doll: The Title Itself Advocates A Perfect Physique

“Barbie Doll” The title “Barbie Doll” suggests that the poem advocates a perfect physique; however, it is a satire concerning human’s emphasis upon physical attraction. The title generates a satirical piece through the language used in the poem. The words and phrases in the poem express how young girls are influenced to acquire a perfect body that is often unachievable. A “Barbie Doll” is a play toy meant for young girls. A doll is thought of as a young girl’s sweet and innocent toy that portrays a positive image, but a Barbie is a plastic doll made in the image of a conventionally attractive, slim, and shapely young woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair even skin. The denotation of a doll is a child’s toy made to resemble a human being. Barbie dolls create an image that girls of all ages feel obligated to live up to. The girl in the poem is ordinary and stereotypical young teen. The Barbie doll is a fitting toy because she is a young girl, and it is socially acceptable and expected for her to enjoy it; yet, the Barbie doll is unordinary and surprisingly perfect. “Girlchild” (1) is presented with things such as stoves, irons and lipsticks, and she is forced into this world of perfection in which the Barbie doll would be her idol. “Girlchild” (1) is “healthy” (7) and “intelligent” (7) unlike the image of the Barbie doll which is only viewed as a symbol of physical perfection. She also has a “sexual drive and manual dexterity” (9) which are also innate abilities unseen by a Barbie doll. Unlike the Barbie doll she is alive and a real human. Despite her positive qualities, the “girlchild” (1) goes around apologizing because she is not beautiful and possesses a “fat nose on thick legs” (11), something truly negative when compared to a Barbie doll. She has to play “coy” (12) and “exercise” (14) for she has not been born with the beauty and physical stature of a Barbie doll, and is therefore seen as appalling. Before long, however, she “[wears]

Cited: “ANRED.” Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. 25 Oct. 2008. .