In 1971, around the time of the second-wave of feminism, Marge Piercy wrote a powerful poem called "Barbie Doll". In midst of this 'wave', Piercy's literary work was actively involved in addressing a range of social and cultural issues- generally focusing on women's lives. In a broad spectrum it is talking about society's oppression of females, how from a young age girls are being exposed to what is expected from them and how society has a hold on people and specially on women's lives. Merely in order not to be judged, females are not themselves and rather live their lives to become someone society wants them to become, in order to be accepted. If expectations are not met, they are cast aside and placed under a category of unworthiness called "ugliness" (Rachel Vincent). In general, Piercy wants to show that society disregards female's personalities and personal qualities and focusses on their superficial appearance. By looking at "Barbie Doll" in context with the second-wave of feminism we can see that the female in the poem only focusses on being "perfect" for society, instead of valuing her individuality, and fighting for her voice (even though in the 1970's it is difficult for women). These are important because Piercy and the second wave of feminism are aiming for woman to achieve autonomy from society and men.

Barbie Doll describes all children to be born as pure, innocent and usual- however, we know that for women as for men, there has been definitions created for us from antiquated notions by past cultures and societies (DelVecchio). DelVecchio argues that while males are expected to be strong and tough, females are constructed around the notion of being sexy, coy, thin, and submissive and in order to be accepted in society as a 'normal' individual, one must perform according to these expectations. So, in the process of growing up, the little girl in the poem is given out dolls, lipsticks, and irons which implies that females should play with dolls, be pretty, and later iron clothes in order to be a housewife of use. She is later told to play as if she knows nothing (coy) and then urged to come on strong (hearty) by exercising, dieting, smiling, and coaxing (wheedle). These four verbs describe the superficial life of such individuals who only value physicality in order to fit into a specific mold of beauty- how they are expected to. The girl in the poem is constantly "to and fro apologizing" for her 'fat nose and thick legs' and eventually, gives (them) up (Piercy, Barbie Doll). It has come to our realization that this woman's life ends as she only lived attempting to become "perfect" for others' acceptance of her. "Consummation at last" (Piercy), people finally said that she is pretty, at the cost of her death. 

It is easier for one to be as influential and "weak" as the girl in "Barbie Doll"; it is a harder task to develop a sense of individuality- which is greatly explained by Vincent's quote, "Piercy's view holds that the growing process as an individual is hard enough without applying controversy and superficial implications". In Barbie Doll, there are several implications made about females that make the sense of self-worth not as appealing. In the third stanza, it is written that after being exhorted to act a certain way and do certain things, "her good nature wore out like a fan belt" (Piercy). This girl is exhausted by society's demanding and she is compared to an engine in the sense that engines wear out and eventually are not of use anymore. Here Piercy attempts to show us that women are seen as possessions and if not of use anymore, they will be disposed just like a fan belt. (Viincent). Even though this statement is harsh and cruel, Piercy claims that we only blame society for pressuring the "girlchild" (Piercy) to fit into a specific mold of prettiness by only focusing on her superficial appearance and disregarding her other great aspects. But, (she claims)

in reality this it is not completely the social scene's fault. It is the individual herself who harms her own nature in trying to become "perfect", which ultimately is a reflection of her own belief system (Piercy). Here, it is spoken of her belief system in the way of how she values physical acceptance and appearance more than developing self-definition and self-worth. She does not focus on her good virtues such as her being 'healthy', 'intelligent', 'strong' and perhaps being apt to be part of a something more substantial that would contribute to the world. 

Piercy aspires that women realize how powerful they are to play an important role amongst men and the world. However, it is not seen as normal when a female decides to be different and not follow the status quo of appearance and behavior. DelVecchio argues that if a female wants to be different, to be herself as she defines herself, she has to be strong. "Just like Marge Piercy" (DelVecchio). This statement shows why Marge Piercy is seen as a powerful woman who stood up and was heard "as an individual who questions institutions of capitalist society, especially as the impinge on women" (Payant). However, it is extremely difficult to step up and fight for what one believes in because most people will not agree with what is being fought for. Piercy, for example, aimed for female autonomy- most of the people will not understand such as women whose values lay upon appearance and do not want to think they exist for anything else than to just attempt to become a "Barbie doll". Others will oppose against what is being fought for, just like traditional "macho men" who do not want to accept that women are fighting for some sort of power and credibility. To further elaborate the male role in this poem, the last lines are of substantial importance; "to every woman a happy ending" (Piercy). According to DelVecchio, this last line is an ironic statement with double meaning. The words: "happy ending" appear at the end of movies where the princess and the prince go off together towards the horizon and live "happily ever after".  DelVecchio continues by saying that "every girl is told that to have a happy ending, she must find her prince" and so this "happy ending" comes with the prize of masculinity (DelVecchio). So, a woman is actually happy in life when she has found her man. What Piercy wants to point out is that after all the hardship of the girl in the poem, the only revelation of a man is completely un-shattered. 

With the poem "Barbie Doll", Piercy mocks the absurdness of a females' capabilities in the way of being weak and ending one's life due to lack of physical acceptance. Piercy makes it clear that women who only focus on being physically perfect, to ultimately please men, are collectively working backwards to the common goal of the second-wave of feminism. At the same time, she informs these females that there is a movement happening, she wants to show the "harsh truth" about the lives of the modern female and indirectly tell them that there is a way out of this version of truth. She wants to encourage a change in their belief system where only being a blonde hair and blue eyes Barbie Doll of 5ft. 7in and 120lbs matters (Vincent). She wants females to value their individuality and focus on their good virtues such as being healthy, intelligent, and strong in order join her and become a part of something greater, something that would contribute to making the world a better place. Instead of focusing on being "perfect" for society, Piercy urges for women to fight for their voices, even if it is difficult during the 1970s. In order to bring about any movement to achieve autonomy from society and men, education is fundamental. Although education is not exactly mentioned in the poem, part of Piercy's accusations implies that in order for females to govern themselves and ultimately have informed opinions and make informed decisions, they first must be oriented in an academic matter.

