Marge Piercy openly criticizes and comments on the ideals of beauty in society in this poem‚ at one point stating‚ “She is manufactured like a sports sedan. She is retooled‚ refitted‚ and redesigned every decade” (What are Big Girls Made Of). In this passage Piercy explains that standards of beauty are rarely “standard”‚ but rather they change dramatically and rapidly with times‚ and
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Marge Piercy’s poem "To Be of Use" expresses an opposing connotation about the idea of work. Most people believe the words "hard work" carry a negative connotation. What these words imply is not something that is generally received with enthusiasm but is often accepted either by force or obligation. The poem’s central theme is that satisfaction and self-fulfillment can be attained by using one’s skills to serve a specific function in life‚ for it is the opinion of the speaker that an unproductive
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1973‚ Marge Piercy wrote a poem that follows the life of a young girl growing up with modern expectations that she struggles to conform to. "Barbie Doll" uses different aspects of a woman’s life to express the different pressures on women today. The first aspect Piercy uses to emphasize the stereotypes attached to women are images‚ colours‚ and toys that are traditionally associated with girls; the main character of the poem‚ is given gifts that are very feminine. The other aspects Piercy utilizes
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Ferrara Mrs. Lakas Period 3 June 8‚ 2008 Marge Piercy A lot of authors express their emotions‚ thoughts and feelings through works of literature. Things they hear and see‚ as well as own life experiences influence some authors. Marge Piercy‚ a well-known author‚ was inspired by the stories her grandmother and mother would tell her throughout her childhood. Piercy was also encouraged by her mother to be observant and to remember what she would observe. Born on March 31‚ 1936‚ in Detroit
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“Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy The poem “Barbie Doll’ by Marge Piercy dramatizes the conflict between stereotyping and perfection within society. The title accentuates the theme of the poem; the Doll symbolizes society’s interpretation of beauty and a reflection of how the girl’s ideas of this beauty shape her self-worth. According to Steven Ratiner‚ author of Giving Their World: Conversations with Contemporary Poets‚ it is Piercy’s realistic interpretations of life experience which develops the theme
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accomplishment.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Society tells us what we should be‚ who we should be‚ what we should look and act like and what is perfect. Too many woman try to fit this ideal of what we should be based on media and society in an imperfect world. Marge Piercy is criticizing this in her poem “Barbie doll” written in 1999. The poem shows how ridiculous it is the way we try to conform to what society’s ideals are for the perfect woman. Marge Piercy an American poet‚ novelist‚ and
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Of Use” by Marge Piercy teaches the world that they should not back down when faced with difficult tasks. It teaches that everyone can be admirable by plunging into work and giving it their all. After all‚ as “To Be Of Use” also teaches‚ the more work one puts into a project of any kind‚ the better the project is and the more satisfying it is to see completed. It also teaches that humans feel useless without work‚ and feeling complete rewards the human soul. “To Be Of Use” by Marge Piercy conveys the
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unconsciously controlling you physically and emotionally. As a female you have the right to stand up‚ be who you want‚ and live up to the potential you know you have. By looking at poetry as reflected in literary elements such as form‚ tone and symbolism Marge Piercy’s “A Work of Artifice‚” one can see the oppression of women and feministic problems in society. This is relevant because it is within society today and will stay that way if not changed. This poem gives readers a realization that repression
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there is an extraordinary want and need for women to be perfect on the outside. There is too much importance and too much anxiety placed on women to surrender to the image of being or becoming a Barbie doll. In the poem "Barbie Doll‚" written by Marge Piercy‚ I see evidence to this idea in the poet’s use of irony‚ her attitude on the subjects of both inner and outer beauty‚ and her attitude on the significance of words interfering with a woman’s self confidence. To begin‚ the poet’s use of irony
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clean and to prevent this young lady from attending the ball to meet her prince charming. Although that story was fictional‚ Marge Piercy managed to change the tune from a Cinderella’s chant to The Secretary Chant. She describes the duties and personal feelings that female secretaries are too afraid to say because they may lose their jobs for taking a stand. A stand for what‚ you may ask. A stand to be treated as a human being and not as a machine. As a secretary myself‚ I am empathic to Piercy’s
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