"Barbie Doll" By Marge Piercy

Marge Piercy was born in Detroit and suffered through the Depression. She became sick in her teenage years and during this time of all her sickness she put all her love into books. She was the first person in her family to go to college, and much of her writing highlights factors in our lives that are taken away from us or held back from us. 

In this poem, the topic is focused on young girls and their appearances. Looking deeper into it, we can see that the theme of this poem is the pressure young girls have to look perfect. The author uses comparison and imagery to help readers understand the pressure young girls have on themselves to look exactly how everyone believes they should look. For example, in lines 12-15, we get an idea of what it is like to be objectified to the point of wearing ourselves down to the point of wanting to commit self- harm. The author uses a tone that focuses on struggle and death to convey the theme's message. When we read this poem, we are able to visualize the way society controls women and their actions and choices. The poem contains descriptive words to characterize young women and the way they are viewed as imperfect to outsiders. In lines 20-25, it is clearly identified the only way women think they can cope with their pain and insecurities is through suicide or by giving into their sadness. This piece of writing should be a reminder for all young women to stay strong and for all people to get an idea of what being rude to other people could do to their life. The theme of this poem is accurately expressed through the tone of the author and holds a great message within it.