The doll, like it was mentioned above, becomes the symbol of female social roles and functions, given to them by the contemporary society. The poem contains deep symbols, which help the author bring her message to the audience. This rich image illustrates how patriarchal society not only limited social roles, social and political rights and freedoms but also dictates to them how they should look, feel and behave. the same happens to the childgirl, who finally loses her good temper in the surrounding, where she is deprived of her natural right to express herself. The broken belt means that the engine is broken and can’t work. As stated in the poem, “ Her good nature wore out/ like a fan belt (Piercy 15-16). The image of the broken fan belt becomes a perfect illustration of the process of destruction of personality. The imagery of the poem perfectly illustrates how ruining and devastating beauty norms and standards become for women.

Feminists often blame society for asserting strict norms of beauty, which become the instrument of oppression and limitations. Her big nose and fat lags make her different from standards of the Barbie doll, and other kids start mocking her.

The girl from the poem is grown up as a usual girl until she falls out of beauty standards. Lipsticks the color of cherry candy (Piercy 1-4). Illustrates how social stereotypes are manifested from the very birth of a childgirl. Illustration of expectations, patriarchal society has about women. Women and limitations of female rights and freedoms. The poem is rich with imaginary, which helps the author The author of the poem uses irony, imaginary and symbolism in order to illustrate how social standards in the patriarchal society make women jeopardize their bodies and finally kills their individualities and personalities. It illustrates how women are deprived of the natural right to express themselves and how they are turned into beautiful dolls, who possess no freedom. “Barbie doll” is a central symbol of the poem. “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy illustrates how women are limited in the means of expression in the patriarchal society, where they become only beautiful dolls, who are judged only according to their appearance. The Feminist movement and Feminist campaigns became the main instrument of social change, which gave women more rights and freedoms. In the contemporary society, same like in the past, Feminism gives voice and right to speak for those, who are deprived of this right due to social, political and other forms of discrimination. Feminism incorporates different methods of fighting against suppression and inequality. “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy expresses ideas of Feminism.

Margie piercy barbie doll