Barbie Doll

In Marge Piercy's Barbie Doll, there is a contrast of the girl and a Barbie doll. The satire of the poem is how society treats her. She is described as "healthy, tested intelligant, possessed strong arms and backs...", all qualifications of a great woman. However, she cannot be content with this, because she does not look as society wants her to. Piercy emphasizes the absordness of society's views on beauty, by telling of the advice the girl is given. The author even uses verbal irony, using the phrase "magic of puberty". This is ironic because it was with puberty that the girl became scrutinized. Eventually, she feels so judged by society that it leads to her death. The ultimate irony in the poem is the ending. For even after her death, the people judge her by her appearence in her coffin. In death, she finally gets acceptance from society.